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The Heddon Valley and Heddon’s Mouth

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Heddons Mouth

Heddons Mouth

The Heddon Valley is set in the west Exmoor coast surrounded by towering cliffs and moorland. Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the Heddon Valley is home to a variety of wildlife including otters and the rare high brown fritillary butterfly. The coastal, moorland and valley paths are renowned for their spectacular views and natural beauty.

Just a quarter of a mile from the cottages is the start of the trail to Heddon’s Mouth. A gentle stroll through ancient woodland alongside the River Heddon to where it meets the sea, between some of England’s highest cliffs. You’ll also find a restored 19th-century lime kiln on the beach.

To the east is Woody Bay, a quiet and wooded cove with spectacular views over the Bristol Channel. To the west, the Hangman Hills boast towering sea cliffs and beautiful moorland scenery, offering energetic walking and wonderful views over Combe Martin.

There is a National Trust information centre and tea room, car park and toilets in the Valley, as well as the famous Hunter’s Inn public house.

Sunday walk to Morte Point

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Last week we went in search of the sunshine and armed with our tea-making equipment and a picnic we made our way to Mortehoe and Morte Point.  Mortehoe is now a sleepy village but was once known for the wreckers and smugglers who worked along this coastline.  Although we didn’t visit them on this occasion, there are 2 excellent pubs – The Chichester Arms and the Ship Aground, where you can enjoy good food and drinks after a long walk along the coastal path.  There are also a couple of excellent cafes and takeaways including the National Trust owned Town Farmhouse, a 19th-century building which is open as an Eco-Focused Guesthouse and Tea Rooms.   Also, the nearby Barricane Beach Café serving a range of classic café snacks as well as their famous Sri Lankan curry.

At Morte Point, you’re welcomed with a far-reaching view across North Devon’s spectacular coastline.  Extending from Morte Point and out beneath the water are the deadly ‘devil’s teeth’ rocks which have caused many shipwrecks over the centuries.  On the day of our visit, the wind was strong and the sea was rough.  It is easy to see how so many ships met their end here.

Just around the corner, we were lucky enough to spot 5 Atlantic grey seals who were enjoying the swell of the sea and the crashing waves.  One was lying on its back looking directly at us, as though to say come and join us.  No chance of that!  It is times like that I wished I had a really good camera with me as it would have been a perfect photo opportunity.

As is common in North Devon, you look one way and there are amazing cloud formations, look the other way and there is blue sky and sunshine.  Morte Point didn’t fail us on our visit as you will see from the photos.  As you round the corner at Morte Point you see the wonderful view across to Woolacombe which lays claim to an award-winning flat golden stretch of sand and coastline popular with boarders and surfers.

Morthoe and Woolacombe are our happy places where we go to unwind and relax (just like the sheep!).  It’s great that it is only a short drive from our home and our cottages.  We would definitely recommend a visit.

National Trust Website – Mortehoe

Martinhoe Cleave Cottages – The Perfect Holiday Hideaway on Exmoor

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Three self-catering cottages in Exmoor National Park, North Devon (more…)

Exmoor National Park

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Exmoor Ponies

Exmoor Ponies

Exmoor is a unique place shaped by people and nature over thousands of years and is recognized as one of the UK’s finest landscapes.  Large areas of open moorland provide a sense of remoteness and tranquillity rare in southern Britain. Spectacular coastal views, deep wooded valleys, high sea cliffs and fast flowing streams all combine to form a rich and distinct mosaic. Click here to link to a short video of the National Park.

The South-West Coastal Path runs through the area  and there are many other walks in and around the area.

Exmoor ponies roam freely on the moor. You can see them at close quarters at The Exmoor Pony Centre at Dulverton. Started in 1998, its aim is to work to conserve and promote the welfare of this rare breed pony.

Below are some videos provided by the South West Coast Path Association showcasing some of the wonders of Exmoor:

English

Nederlands

Deutsch

 

The Valley of Rocks

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Valley of Rocks

Valley of Rocks

The Valley of Rocks is a dry valley that runs parallel to the coast about half a mile west of Lynton. It is noted for its herd of goats, its geology and its stunning views.

Watersmeet

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Waterfall at Watersmeet

Waterfall at Watersmeet

Standing at Watersmeet some 2,300 years ago you would have seen smoke rising from the hilltops, a sign of people living close by. Two fortified farmsteads known as Myrtleberry North and South camp provided a protected home.

Thatched round houses were lived in by Iron Age people and their animals. The village would have been surrounded by ramparts and steep-sided hills. Whilst not much evidence remains, the views are stunning from these now-scheduled monuments and well worth the climb.

Watersmeet is surrounded by 2000 acres of estate and is a dramatic river gorge clothed with ancient woodlands. At the meeting place of the East Lyn River and Hoar Oak Water stands Watersmeet House. Built in 1832 as a fishing and hunting lodge for Walter Stevenson Halliday, it is now a haven for many visitors. Originally a fishing lodge and romantic retreat, with connections to the romantic poets, since 1901 it has been a tea room. There are many paths leading along the riversides and up the valley sides to Lynmouth, Rockford and Countisbury.

Look out for otters, red deer, buzzards, dippers, herons and a variety of flowers and insects. You may spot the local whortleberry, a small bluish-black berry often used to make jam. Like a wild bilberry, it grows on shrubs from July to August.

A short walk upstream from Watersmeet House is Ash Bridge, a tranquil spot surrounded by crystal-clear waters and shady ancient woodland. Look out for dippers bobbing on the rocks, and if you’re lucky, the salmon that come here to breed.

For the more adventurous, canoeing is possible on the East Lyn River from Watersmeet House down to Lynmouth between 1 October and 31 March if there’s enough water.

Arlington Court

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Arlington

Arlington

This National Trust house was once owned by the Chichester Family. The grounds are also the location for the National Trust Carriage Collection which has recently acquired, on loan from the House of Commons, the early 18th century Speakers State Coach to add to their display.

Other places of Interest

The area
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Other places of interest

Other places of interest

Other attractions in the area include the historic villages of Clovelly with its steep cobbled streets and picturesque harbour,  Porlock, Porlock Weir  and Selworthy with its pretty thatched cottages.  Combe Martin is reputed to have the longest high street in England ending at a picturesque cove. Ilfracombe offers an historic and picturesque harbour, interesting coastline and beaches around the town. It is the nearest sizable town to Martinhoe Cleave and has a theatre as well as shops, galleries and restaurants.  For beaches, Woolacombe offers a large sandy award-winning beach (voted best in UK in 2023) which is popular with surfers, body-boarders and families.  Combe Martin has two intimate family-friendly beaches. Lee bay near Morthoe offers a real smugglers cove beach with rock pools.  If you wish to venture further afield, there is an open-top bus service from Lynmouth to Minehead, which boasts a wonderful long flat sandy beach, a charming harbour, a bustling town with Independent shops and cafes and heritage attractions.  From there you can also visit the towns of Watchet and Dunster.

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