{"id":11749,"date":"2022-03-08T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-07T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=11749"},"modified":"2022-03-23T15:51:45","modified_gmt":"2022-03-23T14:51:45","slug":"exmoors-coast-of-dreams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/2022\/03\/08\/exmoors-coast-of-dreams\/","title":{"rendered":"Exmoor’s coast of dreams"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BUDGET WALKING WEEKENDS<\/span><\/p>\n\n

STAY\/WALK: <\/strong>Heddon Valley to Foreland Point, Devon<\/span><\/p>\n\n

EXMOOR\u2019S COAST OF DREAMS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

With almost 900m of ascent, this coastal walk between two National Trust bothies is about as dramatic as they come. But it is well worth the effort, assures Fi Darby \u2013 just don\u2019t forget to bring a sleeping bag<\/p>\n\n

\"\"
The view from Heddon\u2019s Mouth to the Valley of Rocks, described by poet Robert Southey as being \u201cthe very bones and skeletons of the Earth\u201d <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

I<\/span>f camping appeals but you prefer a solid roof over your head, the National Trust\u2019s collection of isolated North Devon bothies could be just what you need.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

All four are uniquely located and accessible from the South West Coast Path (SWCP). With sleeping platforms, a sink and little else, these shelters aren\u2019t for the faint-hearted, but don\u2019t worry, each one does have its own outside loo.<\/p>\n\n

This nine-mile walk between two of the National Trust shelters \u2013 Heddon Orchard Bothy and Foreland Bothy \u2013 offers fantastic sea views but has some challenging gradients to match. Follow the SWCP from peaceful Heddon Valley past dappled woods, lonely beaches and astonishing rock formations.<\/p>\n\n

Stop in Lynmouth for a pasty then head uphill for a vertiginous footpath experience. View the lighthouse at Foreland Point, then it\u2019s one last climb back up to your bothy for a good night\u2019s sleep. Find toilets and parking at Heddon Valley, Lee Abbey, the Valley of Rocks and Lynmouth.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n

1 <\/span><\/strong> HEDDON HEIGHTS<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

From the car park, keep right past Hunter\u2019s Inn. Turn left then take the footpath, heading right at the fork. Follow \u2018The Carriageway\u2019 to climb above Heddon\u2019s Mouth and enjoy stunning views to Wales across the Bristol Channel.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

2 <\/strong>ROCKY RAMBLE<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Above Woody Bay, follow the lane downhill to join the SWCP. Continue through the woods to Lee Abbey. Watch out for feral goats as you admire the impressive Valley of Rocks. Spot rock formations Castle Rock and Rugged Jack, as you continue along the SWCP.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

3 <\/strong>DOWN TO TOWN<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Just before Lynmouth, leave the SWCP to zigzag down through the trees to the prom. Alternatively, continue straight on and descend in style on Lynmouth\u2019s famous cliff railway. There are hills ahead so take a well-earned pitstop. Lynmouth has plenty of choice with fish and chips, pasties and cake all on offer. For river swimming, add in a walk up the East Lyn River towards Watersmeet.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

4 <\/strong>BREATHTAKING CLIMB<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

Take a deep breath before you follow the SWCP up out of town. You\u2019re about to experience one of Devon\u2019s most dizzying sections of coastline.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Having survived the walk up, you can enjoy views from the trig point at Butter Hill. Then you have a choice: take the more precarious path down to the lighthouse, then walk up to the Foreland Bothy, or follow the SWCP round, turning left and downhill when you meet the lane.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Exmoor National Trust bothies: Both Heddon Orchard and Foreland bothies sleep four and require a minimum stay of three nights (Heddon from \u00a390, Foreland from \u00a3105). No electricity, heating or linen. nationaltrust.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Fi Darby is a Devon-based outdoor writer and navigation specialist<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Photos: Alamy, National Trust \/ Mike Henton<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With almost 900m of ascent, this coastal walk between two National Trust bothies is about as dramatic as they come. But it is well worth the effort, assures Fi Darby \u2013 just don\u2019t forget to bring a sleeping bag<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":11746,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"88","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"88","purple_seq_number":"1","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"1","purple_source_article":"article_88-1.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_88-1.xml","purple_source_issue":"April-2022","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"April-2022","purple_external_id":"April-2022-88-1","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"April-2022-88-1","purple_issue_code":"|0000084054||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000084054||","purple_android_product":"com.im.countryfile.188","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.countryfile.188","purple_ios_product":"com.im.countryfile.188","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.countryfile.188","purple_web_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_web_product":"","purple_publication_id":"91da22fd-9e7f-40d1-a93f-fc46e9516d91","purple_migrated":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2022-03-09T11:42:33Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"e39a6cb1-589c-40a6-b4e6-7255dd742df3","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2022-03-23T14:51:51Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACw==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/A45pssVicQKa05nJV3XQt8w","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":true,"apple_news_is_preview":true,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_article_theme":"","apple_news_sections":"[]"},"categories":[30],"tags":[14],"apple_news_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2022\/03\/843a1fc3-f839-46ff-b374-13441a55d994.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"3","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2022\/03\/843a1fc3-f839-46ff-b374-13441a55d994.jpg",1771,2048,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2022\/03\/843a1fc3-f839-46ff-b374-13441a55d994-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2022\/03\/843a1fc3-f839-46ff-b374-13441a55d994-259x300.jpg",259,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2022\/03\/843a1fc3-f839-46ff-b374-13441a55d994-768x888.jpg",768,888,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2022\/03\/843a1fc3-f839-46ff-b374-13441a55d994-886x1024.jpg",800,925,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2022\/03\/843a1fc3-f839-46ff-b374-13441a55d994-1328x1536.jpg",1328,1536,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2022\/03\/843a1fc3-f839-46ff-b374-13441a55d994.jpg",1771,2048,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"With almost 900m of ascent, this coastal walk between two National Trust bothies is about as dramatic as they come. 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