Devon

Cloud Farm Campsite to Foreland Point walk

Foreland Lighthouse holiday cottage — The lighthouse at Foreland Point | © Julian Gurney

This rewarding circular trail begins with a gentle stroll along Exmoor's East Lyn River, before becoming slightly more challenging as it takes in breathtaking views at Foreland Point (the northernmost tip of Devon) and County Gate.

Near to

Lorna Doone Valley

Start point

Cloud Farm Campsite, EX35 6NU. Grid ref: SS794467

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 11 (km: 17.6)

Duration4 hours

Dog friendly***

*This walk has some uneven surfaces and steep slopes. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**This walk is likely to be challenging for people with reduced mobility. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs are welcome, with conditions. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Enjoy a cream tea

If you need a rest along the way, head for the tea-room at Watersmeet, an idyllic riverside spot where you can enjoy a cream tea or a slice of cake.

Address
Cloud Farm Campsite, Oare, Lynton, Devon EX35 6NU
Directions via Google Maps
By road
The starting point for this trail is 5 miles west of Lynmouth and 13 miles east of Minehead. From the A39, around 100m (110yds) east of County Gate car park, turn down New Road towards Oare. When you reach a T-junction, turn right down Hookway Hill to Lorna Doone Valley. You’ll see Cloud Farm Campsite signposted on your left, just before you reach the old stone bridge and ford.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times.
Car park
Free car parking is available at the Buttery Cafè, and there are also limited spaces at Cloud Farm Campsite.
Toilet
Toilets can be found at Cloud Farm Campsite, the Buttery Cafè, the tea-room at Watersmeet and the Blue Ball pub in Countisbury.
Tea-room
For refreshments, you can either visit the Buttery Cafè near the starting point, or the secluded riverside tea-room at Watersmeet. Both serve a range of drinks and snacks.
Total stages: 10
Total stages: 10
Start point
Cloud Farm Campsite, EX35 6NU. Grid ref: SS794467
Stage 1
From the campsite, cross over the footbridge (down from the shower block) and turn right to follow the bridleway.
Stage 2
At the road, continue down the hill. At the entrance to the Buttery Café garden, turn right and cross over the old stone bridge. Following the road, go past the entrance to the campsite. After around 250m (275yds), you'll reach a footpath marked 'Public Bridleway County Gate'. Follow this path over the footbridge and you'll join the Coleridge Way, heading in the direction of Brendon.
Stage 3
Arriving at a set of steps to the road, turn left to pass the bridge. Continue on the Coleridge Way along the East Lyn River for several miles until you reach Watersmeet.
Stage 4
At Watersmeet, continue past the tea-room and turn right. Follow the footpath uphill towards Countisbury.
Stage 5
After following the footpath uphill, you'll reach a main road. Cross over it and follow the road up to the church to join the South West Coast Path.
Stage 6
Turn left and continue towards Foreland Point. At a fork in the path, you have two options: If the weather is good, you can head left and follow the tiny goat track around the tip of Foreland Point for a stunning view of the lighthouse (as per the mapped route), before returning to the coast path. The other option is to head right and continue following the coast path, travelling downhill to Coddow Combe. If the weather is poor or you have no head for heights, please choose the latter option.
Stage 7
Continue along the South West Coast Path for around 2½ miles (4km). Cross the drive to Glenthorne and drop down on the marked path until you reach Sister's Fountain.
Stage 8
Just after Sister's Fountain, leave the South West Coast Path and turn right uphill to follow the woodland boundary to County Gate.
Stage 9
From County Gate car park, take the footpath heading south-east, down the hill. You should see Lorna Doone Valley in front of you. Eventually, you'll rejoin the road mentioned in step 1.
Stage 10
From here, you can either retrace your steps in reverse – going over the old bridge, following the road to your left and heading along the bridleway – or walk down the entrance track to Cloud Farm Campsite.
End point
Cloud Farm Campsite, EX35 6NU. Grid ref: SS794467
Trail map
Map of the circular walk from Cloud Farm to Foreland Point | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Riverside pathway in the Lorna Doone Valley, Exmoor

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