Devon Triple, Day 1: Mortehoe to Ilfracombe

Introduction:

Last year it was a Dorset Double. This year it's a Devon Triple, replicating a scheme by the lovely Simon Ellicott but taking advantage of the four-day Platinum Jubilee weekend to have three days of events from which you can choose to do any number. Nearby campsites, hotels and B&Bs are plentiful, although they are booking up fast. I'll supply three day walks and other leaders will provide more according to demand, which may be reduced as Big Spring Camp will be running at the same time. Even so, I hope you can come and experience some of the finest cliffs, sandiest beaches, quietest valleys and darkest skies - and in the company of some of the greatest guys - in England.

Schedule:

• Day 1 (Thursday 2 June): Mortehoe to Ilfracombe - circular day walk
• Day 2 (Friday 3 June): Mortehoe to Croyde Bay - circular day walk
• Day 3 (Saturday 4 June): Ilfracombe to Combe Martin - shorter linear walk with bus back (options are either beach afternoon or walk extension into Exmoor)

Day 1: Mortehoe to Ilfracombe:

With only a rocky promontory between it and the Atlantic breakers, Mortehoe is a perfect Devon coastal hamlet, rugged yet pretty in equal measure. Post Office, tea rooms, church and pub, the name of which - The Ship Aground - evokes a history of wrecking and smuggling. In the morning we'll follow the line of the old London and South Western Railway to the Victorian seaside resort of Ilfracombe where we'll have time for lunch (perhaps chips on the quayside beneath Damien Hirst's Verity). In the afternoon, the scenery will step up significantly as we follow the coastal path down across sheepy coombs and up over jagged headlands, with sandy coves and lofty cliffs always in view.

The route: 

We'll follow the Southwest Coastal Path/Tarka Trail west out of Mortehoe and then northeast all along the coast to Ilfracombe. At Ilfracombe we'll make our way east to the town centre and the harbour for lunch. After an hour, we'll head west then south out of the town and take the line of the old railway to the west. At Ossaborough, we'll head west across fields to Sandy Road before heading west to Twitcham Holiday Park. We'll then head north to Mortehoe Station Road and head west to return to the starting point. (Please click the link in red to see the route at the Ordnance Survey website.)

Dogs:

I love having dogs on my walks and this walk is fairly suitable for them apart from during very hot weather. The sea will be mostly inaccessible and there will be little shade and much livestock. A dog off the lead must be obedient.

Accommodation:

• Campsites, caravan parks and motorhome parks: Check this website. North Morte Farm was popular with the 'Lads a few years ago and is closest to the village and events. There's also Easewell Farm which has the most facilities, and Damage Barton which was also popular.
• B&Bs: Check Booking.com for places near Mortehoe.

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend. 

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who has recently tested positive for Covid-19, is asked not to attend.

(Picture credits: North Devon Scenery: Photo © Lewis Clarke (cc-by-sa/2.0); Oreweed Cove from the Tarka Trail: Photo © Gary Rogers (cc-by-sa/2.0); The Church and The Ship Aground in the square at Mortehoe: Photo © Roger A Smith (cc-by-sa/2.0); A sharp left hand bend on Sandy Lane where there is a footpath to Twitchen: Photo © Roger A Smith (cc-by-sa/2.0); View towards Lee Bay, North Devon: Photo © Ron Strutt (cc-by-sa/2.0); Slade Reservoir now known as Slade Fishery: Photo © Roger A Smith (cc-by-sa/2.0); Wildersmouth Beach: Photo © Ian Capper (cc-by-sa/2.0); Ilfracombe: Ilfracombe Harbour Photo © Lewis Clarke (cc-by-sa/2.0); Brandy Cove Point: Photo © Bill Boaden (cc-by-sa/2.0); Looking down into Lee: Photo © Shaun Ferguson (cc-by-sa/2.0); Bull Point: Photo © Roger Cornfoot (cc-by-sa/2.0); Rocks below Bull Point Lighthouse, Devon: Photo © Derek Voller (cc-by-sa/2.0); All pictures are copyrighted but are licensed for reuse under Creative Commons CC-BY-SA 2.0 and are here attributed to their copyright holders.)