Sandymouth to Duckpool coastal walk
Setting off from Sandymouth beach, north of Bude, this walk follows the South West Coast Path to Duckpool before returning along the same route. Views stretch far along the coast with clifftops adorned with wild flowers during the summer. The beaches at Sandymouth and Duckpool are backed by twisted cliffs and are ideal places to explore rock pools. You can also do the walk in reverse, starting from Duckpool and heading towards Sandymouth.
Map
Start:
Sandymouth car park EX23 9HW
1
From the car park follow the path down towards the beach and cliffs (past the café and toilets). Before the path drops to the beach (where the information panel is located) turn right and follow the footpath through a kissing gate.
Sandymouth beach is worth exploring
At low tide the beach is a mile-long stretch of sand with rockpools where you’ll find limpets, mussels, barnacles and anomones. The cliffs are part of the ‘Bude Formation’ of Upper Carboniferous rocks and their spectacular sequence of folded shale, mudstone, siltstone and sandstone is why this coast is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
2
Follow the path across the field and over the river. Take the sloping path up the valley to your right, to arrive on top of Stowe Cliffs.
The wreck of Eliza
‘Eliza beach’ sits below and is named after the 1846 wreck of the brig Eliza, bound for Chile. The crew were saved, but the cargo was seized by locals. At the highest point of Stowe Cliffs there was a lookout hut for the RAF Cleave firing range during the 1940s; some concrete footings are still visible.
3
Continue along the coast path (wooden finger posts will guide you), passing through a gate and eventually descending to the footbridge at Warren Gutter. Cross the stream and climb the slope to Warren Point. Keep walking and soon you’ll pass through another gate and look down on Duckpool and the freshwater pond behind the pebble bank which might have given the beach its name.
Look out for summer wildflowers
In midsummer the slopes and valley stream here are dotted with wildflowers such as wild thyme, milkwort, thrift and yellow iris. Keep an eye out for green hairstreak butterflies on the slender thistles which line the coast path on the approach to Duckpool.
4
Follow the footpath down to the footbridge and car park. Duckpool beach is also accessible the most at low tide. Retrace your steps to Sandymouth.
If you liked this walk
If you fancy exploring further look out for the longer walking trail that takes in Coombe Valley woods and Stowe Barton.
End:
Sandymouth car park EX23 9HW
