North Coast, Devon Attractions

Lundy Island, also known as Puffin Island, is a windswept granite islet 11mi/18km off Hartland Point and can be reached by boat from Bideford, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple. There is also a helicopter connection. The island is 3.5mi/6km long and 0.5mi/1km wide and has cliffs towering out of the sea to a height of 500ft/152m. It was formerly owned by M. C. Harman, who founded a society here to investigate the rare flora and fauna on the island. In 1929 he also gave the island its own currency and stamps, the latter being still valid even today. Large areas of the island, which today belongs to the National Trust, have been set aside as bird reserves. There is evidence of the island's history in the ruins of Marisco Castle, a pirates' stronghold, and Millcombe House (1836).Ornithologists will be most interested in visiting Lundy Island during breeding season (April-June).

Clovelly is one England's most renowned beauty spots, crowded with visitors in summer. It is noted for the single cobblestoned street that winds through the village and whitewashed cottages. Perched on a narrow ridge of rock which falls steeply away to the sea, the village and its surrounding countryside can best be viewed from the tiny pier or, even better, from the sea. At the end of the village is Yellary Gate, the entrance to the grounds of Clovelly Court, with attractive walks through delightful scenery, a round trip of some 5mi/8km and a shorter trip of 3mi/5km along Hobby Drive.

Woolacombe (17mi/27km northwest of Clovelly) is a pleasant seaside resort with a sandy beach 2mi/3km long, that was voted one of England's best in 2000. Excellent walks are possible to three coastal promontories, Baggy Point, Morte Point and Bull Point, which have striking rock formations.Surfing and sailing are two very popular activities for residents and visitors to Woolacombe.

Ilfracombe (pop. 9,500) is the oldest established and most popular seaside resort on the North Devon coast, with a picturesque harbor and good beaches sheltered by towering cliffs. The town, largely built in the last third of the 19th century, differs from other resorts in having been built between hills, the beaches being reached through tunnels in the rock. The old chapel of St Nicholas in Ilfracombe, on a crag above the harbor, has been converted into a lighthouse. To the west of the town is the attractive Torrs Walk.

From Ilfracombe the beautiful coast road continues east to Watermouth Castle, with fine subtropical gardens, and Combe Martin, where the A 399 turns inland on to Exmoor, most of which is now a National Park. Much of the area is cultivated, but there are still expanses of moorland and heath.

The Trail was described by Henry Williamson in his classic book `Tarka the Otter.' The 180-mile / 290-kilometer trail begins just east of Brayford and ends at Lynmouth. The trail leaves the road at the Lower Hall, by the signpost to Whitedown. From there it goes to Whitedown farm, where a path leads up to Whitefield Down and back onto the road. From there you turn left and head to Moles Chamber, where the road turns left, through three gates, across a marshy field and through yet another gate. The road then goes straight to Wood Barrow, through another gate, past Pinkworthy Pond, past Exe Head, left through another gate to the Hoar Oak Water and across the stream to the Hoar Oak Tree. From the tree you will follow the stream to the filed boundary, go uphill and eventually follow the stream to Hillsford Bridge. From there you go up the A39 to the hairpin bend and continue on the footpath to Lynmouth.The trail can also be split into two sections.

The 102-mile / 166 kilometer trail begins in Ivybridge in South Devon, passing over Dartmoor, near Widecombe-in-the-Moor and Chagford, continuing onto Exmoor and finally ending in Lynton on the North Devon coast.

The village of South Molton is located to the south of Molton. There are a number of sports clubs including badminton, soccer, gymnastics and tennis as well as a public swimming pool in South Molton.

Simonsbath takes its name from a pool in the Barle above the nearby bridge. It is a small village with traditional cottages located on the Two Moors Way footpath.

Selworthy Village is a group of thatched cottages in a traditional village setting completed in 1820. The local church dates back to the 15th century.

Winsford is a hunting and fishing center on the banks of the River Exe. St Chad's Church is a well-known landmark with popular stories surrounding its history. The Winsford Flashes are notable geographic features that formed in the 19th century, they are three lakes that are used by many for sailing and fishing.