Devon

Orcombe Point circular walk

1170993 The Geoneedle, Orcombe Point, Exmouth.jpg — The Geoneedle marks the western end of the Jurassic Coast | © National Trust Images/Tim Bowden

The most westerly point of the Jurassic Coast, a Unesco World Heritage Site, Orcombe Point offers views over the Exe estuary and out to sea. Follow part of the South West Coast Path before passing through meadows rich with wild flowers in spring and summer. Keep an eye out for birds and butterflies, and pause at the Geoneedle, a landmark representing 180 million years of the Earth's history with Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous rock.

Near to

A la Ronde

Start point

Foxholes Hill Road, Devon EX8 2DQ. Grid ref: SY016799.

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1.5 (km: 2.4)

Duration1 hour

Dog friendly***

*A mix of grass and tarmac footpaths. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**For further details, please see Access section.
***Dogs welcome. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Address
Foxholes Hill Road, Devon EX8 2DQ. Grid ref: SY016799.
Directions via Google Maps
By road
At junction 30 off M5, take the A379/A376 exit to Exeter/Exmouth/Sidmouth/A3052. At the next roundabout, take the fourth exit onto Sidmouth Rd/A376 and remain on Exmouth Road, the A376, for around 7 miles (11km). Turn left onto Gipsy Lane and at the roundabout, take the second exit onto Withycombe Village Rd. At next roundabout, take the first exit onto Marpool Hill continuing onto Claremont Grove. Turn right onto Salterton Rd/B3178 and then left onto Cyprus Road, left again onto Douglas Avenue and right onto Maer Road. At the roundabout continue straight onto Foxholes Hill, EX8 2DQ
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Foxholes Hill Road, Devon EX8 2DQ. Grid ref: SY016799.
Stage 1
Facing the sea, walk across the grassy area towards the bottom left-hand corner. Follow the footpath through the wooded area and turn left onto the tarmacked footpath. Continue on this path until you come to the National Trust Omega sign.
Stage 2
Take the right-hand fork and follow the path towards the trees. Continue down towards the sea, following the path in an arc, back up towards the Geoneedle.
The Geoneedle
The Geoneedle at Orcombe Point represents the rock types found on the Jurassic Coast. Commissioned from artist Michael Fairfax to mark the opening of the World Heritage Site, it was unveiled by the then-HRH Prince of Wales in 2002. At the base are cross-bedded sandstones while towards the top are rock types deposited by quieter, slower-flowing waters, such as siltstones and mudstones, dating from the Triassic period 250 million years ago.
Stage 3
From the Geoneedle follow the South West Coast Path uphill, admiring views of the distinctive red Devon cliffs on your right. On the right you may spot the old lookout used by the Exmouth Home Guard during the Second World War to keep a watch for enemy invasion. As you reach the summit of the hill take the pathway on your left signposted 'permissive path'.
Stage 4
After walking into the field continue until you see a 'permissive footpath' signpost directing you to the left. Follow the permissive path heading downhill. Continue on this path until you reach the wooden gate and rejoin the path near the Geoneedle.
Wildflower meadows
Keep your eyes peeled for green-winged orchids during May, as well as knapweed, bird's-foot trefoil and corky-fruited water dropwort. Flowers and grasses like these help attract wildlife including butterflies like meadow brown, marbled white, small tortoiseshell, peacock and gatekeeper. In late summer these meadows will be cut for hay, to feed animals over the winter. As most wild flowers favour impoverished soil this benefits them by removing nutrients from the soil.
Stage 5
Turn right and walk along the path, passing the omega sign and retracing your steps to Foxholes Hill Road.
End point
Foxholes Hill Road, Exmouth, Devon EX8 2DQ. Grid ref: SY016799.
Trail map
Orcombe Point walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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view of valley and winter trees with blue sky

Trail

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