Woolacombe short circular walk via Combesgate
Starting on the sea front of this Victorian town, this easy walk passes along Woolacombe's beautiful sea front before turning off up a scenic grassy valley, or 'combe' where wild flowers abound in the spring and summer. Escape the crowds and enjoy shady woodland and spectacular panoramic views across the bay for a very different experience of Woolacombe.
Map
Start:
Esplanade Car park, the Esplanade, Woolacombe, EX34 7BN. SS457254
1
Leave from Esplanade car park and turn onto the esplanade as it follows the curve of the beach around to the right. Keeping the sea to your left, walk on the pavement on the right hand side of the road. There are sweeping views out over Woolacombe Bay to Lundy Island and along the beach to Baggy Point.
Surfing
Surfing came to North Devon in the early 1900s, becoming more fashionable in the 1920s when the young Agatha Christie became an enthusiast. Today the waves can attract over 10,000 people to Woolacombe beach on a good day. Woolacombe's sandy beach is three miles long and was given to us by Miss Rosalie Chichester of Arlington Court.
2
As you walk around the esplanade you will pass the small inlet known as Barricane Beach.
Barricane Beach
This small inlet is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its shell beach where almost perfect examples of cowries and other exotic shells can be found that have crossed the Atlantic from the Caribbean. There are many rock pools to explore but please be aware that the beach is not available at high tide.
3
Just before the road starts to bend to the left and rise up the hill to Mortehoe you will see some public toilets and a National Trust Sign for Combesgate Valley. Turn right here through two gates and follow the grassy path up the combe.
Dry-stone wall invaders
Looking to your right as you walk along the road you will notice the dry-stone walls that are made from pieces of slate laid in vertical patterns. This is a style of walling traditional to the Woolacombe area that developed because of the large deposits of local slate. In the summer you will see pink Hottentot Figs in flower on these walls. As pretty as they are, these flowers are an invasive non-native species that we are actively working to eradicate on our land as they prevent the growth of local wild flower species.
4
Carry on walking up the valley as it gently rises, keeping an eye out for butterflies in the warmer months. Go through the gate and follow the path through the woodland that provides welcome shade.
Watch out: wild flowers about
In the summer the sides of the combe are covered in purple foxgloves, much-loved by bees. Listen out for the song of skylarks as they fly high above you. You might also hear the distinctive call of stonechats that can often be seen sitting on the gorse bushes which in autumn will be in bright yellow flower.
5
Where the path forks, go to the right across the spring and then to your left continuing up the valley through the woods.
6
Where the path meets the road in a caravan park turn right following the public footpath sign for about 30m to the next T junction. Follow the public footpath to your right along the tarmac track for about 10m until you reach a fork in the road. Go left here following the yellow public footpath sign on a post. Carry on walking through the caravan park. After about 50m you will come to a 3-finger signpost where you take the middle path, walking down to your right through a small parking area and into the woods.
7
Walk about 20m to the next small public footpath sign where you will turn sharp right down past some ponds to your left. This part of the path can be very muddy underfoot. At the next fingerpost signed 'Woolacombe Village 1' turn left following the path between two ponds and into the woods.
8
Carry on straight under the low-hanging bough of a tree. You will see a National Trust sign for 'Combesgate Valley'. You are now walking along the top of the valleyside back in the direction of Woolacombe. Pass out of the woods, through the gate and follow the path around the side of the valley.
Lundy Island
On a clear day you can see Lundy Island, 20 miles due west across the Atlantic Ocean. The island is owned by us and managed by the Landmark Trust, and can be reached by boat in season and helicopter year-round. The waters around Lundy are world-famous for scuba diving and, unusually, Lundy has licence to issue its own postage stamps. There are a number of holiday cottages and a small pub - see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lundy for details.
9
Follow the footpath signs to Woolacombe as you come down to the houses, through a gate and out onto a quiet road. The 3-finger signpost here is signed 'Woolacombe Village 1/2 mile.' Walk along this road being careful of traffic, to the T-junction at the end where you are now back on the esplanade. Turn left here and retrace your steps back to the car park.
End:
Esplanade Car park, the Esplanade, Woolacombe, EX34 7BN. SS457254
