11-Day Minehead to Bude Itinerary — Explorer Pace (SWCP Section 1)

From Minehead's seafront sculpture, the path immediately ascends North Hill's woodland via steep zigzag tracks through trees and bracken, dramatically climbing England's highest coastline to clifftops of 250 metres. The inland route guides you almost to Selworthy Beacon's summit (308m), offering grand vistas across the Bristol Channel to Wales and Dunkery Beacon on Exmoor. After this airy traverse, the path descends into Hurlstone Combe, reaching the charming hamlet of Bossington with its striking thatched cottages. Here, Kitnors Tea Room serves refreshments. Beyond Bossington, you'll cross the edge of Porlock Marsh before the final approach to Porlock Weir, which means navigating a shingle beach to reach the historic harbour, where The Bottom Ship Inn and the Harbour Gallery café await.

From Minehead's seafront sculpture, the path surges skyward through the wooded slopes of North Hill, a challenging ascent via zigzag tracks clad in trees and bracken, soon reaching England's loftiest coastline at over 250 metres. Traversing inland, the route nears Selworthy Beacon's 308-metre summit, rewarding with panoramic vistas across the Bristol Channel towards Wales and Exmoor's Dunkery Beacon. A descent into Hurlstone Combe leads to the charming hamlet of Bossington, with Kitnors Tea Room offering respite amongst its distinctive thatched cottages. Emerging from the village, you'll cross Porlock Marsh, then navigate the shingle approach to Porlock Weir's historic harbour, where the Bottom Ship Inn awaits. Leaving the harbour, a strenuous climb through Yearnor Wood brings you to Culbone and its tiny St Beuno's Church, before plunging into the ancient oak canopies of Culbone Wood. The path continues through Chubhill Wood, marking the crossing from Somerset to Devon at Coscombe's stream, then skirts the dramatic Foreland and skirts Butter Hill's heather-clad slopes, offering grand views. A short detour to the Blue Bell Inn at Contisbury is possible before the final, two-kilometre descent into Lynmouth's busy harbour.

From Lynmouth's bustling harbour, the path climbs steeply through Yearnor Wood, soon reaching Culbone hamlet with its minuscule St Beuno's Church. Descending again into Culbone Wood's ancient depths, the trail traverses various combes, passing over the Devon border at Coscombe's stream before skirting the dramatic Foreland, Devon's most northerly point. Butter Hill's heather-clad slopes offer sweeping views across the Bristol Channel to Wales, with the Blue Bell Inn at Contisbury a short detour for refreshments. The route then descends for over two kilometres into Lynton, or takes the cliff railway, and heads onwards across exposed coastal terrain past Lee Abbey and Lee Bay, a sheltered pebble cove with a summer café. Rounding Crock Point's jagged headland, the path navigates steep, wild combes and rocky outcrops, eventually reaching Woody Bay, where the remnants of a Victorian pier can be seen at low tide. Continuing across spectacular coastal slopes, the trail turns inland to descend into the wooded gorge of Heddon Valley.

The route begins with a demanding ascent from Heddon Valley, climbing steeply through woodland to emerge onto exposed clifftops near Lynton, from which the Victorian cliff railway offers an alternative ascent. Beyond Lynton, the path winds past Lee Abbey, clinging to dramatic cliffs before descending to Lee Bay with its summer café. The wild terrain continues around Crock Point and Woody Bay, where the remnants of a pier hint at grander ambitions, before the path turns inland and then ascends out of the gorge anew, traversing Trentishoe and Holdstone Downs. England's highest sea cliff, Great Hangman, at 318 metres, offers spectacular views before a descent to Little Hangman and then a steep drop into Combe Martin, a welcome point for refreshment. Leaving Combe Martin, the path meanders past Broadsands Beach and Watermouth Cove, with its harbour café, then rounds Widmouth Head and Rillage Point, with its white cottages, passing Hele before the final challenging climb onto Hillsborough for panoramic views over Ilfracombe harbour and its ancient earthworks, before a flat final stretch into the town.

Leaving Ilfracombe's harbour, the South West Coast Path embarks on a dramatic ascent through Runnymede Gardens and the historic Torrs Walk, clinging to the Seven Hills for panoramic vistas before a steep descent into the tranquil hamlet of Lee Bay, where refreshments await at The Grampus Inn. Beyond Lee, the path boldly traverses spectacular headlands like Bull Point, marked by its lighthouse, and the notorious Morte Point, a treacherous stretch named for the unforgiving Morte Stone reef, offering chances to spot seals and commanding sweeping views towards Woolacombe's magnificent three-mile golden beach. Winding past secluded coves such as Grunta Beach and shell-rich Barricane Beach, the route eventually arrives at the renowned surfing resort of Woolacombe, where numerous cafés, including the Porthole above the beach, provide well-earned refreshments.

Departing Woolacombe, the path ascends steeply via the historic Torrs Walk, offering panoramic vistas, before descending into the tranquil Lee Bay where The Grampus Inn provides refreshment. Beyond, the route traverses dramatic headlands like Bull Point with its lighthouse, skirts Rockham Bay, and navigates the treacherous Morte Point, famed for shipwrecks and seal spotting, with views stretching back to Woolacombe's magnificent beach. After passing secluded Grunta and Barricane beaches, Woolacombe's cafés offer respite before crossing the dunes of Woolacombe Warren, skirting Adder habitats, and passing Vention's historic limeburners' cottage en route to Putsborough Sands. The route climbs towards the geologically significant Baggy Point, a National Trust headland with WWII remnants and views of Lundy Island, before descending to Croyde Bay's surfing beach. Skirting Saunton Down and Brauton Burrows, where the historic 'American Road' is visible, the path follows flood banks around Braunton Marshes and the medieval Great Field, arriving at Braunton Quay Cafe.

Leaving Croyde's charm, the trail winds over Saunton Down and past Saunton Golf Course, before entering Braunton Burrows, a landscape shaped by WWII military training with glimpses of the historic 'American Road'. Approaching Crow Point, where the Taw and Torridge rivers meet, flood banks guide you around Braunton Marshes, a reclaimed wetland, leading past the medieval strip farming of Braunton Great Field to Braunton village and its Quay Cafe, offering excellent resupply. From Braunton, the route joins the flat, traffic-free Tarka Trail along the old railway line, passing Chivenor airfield and the River Taw's banks before reaching Barnstaple. From Barnstaple's Long Bridge, the Tarka Trail continues beside the estuary, passing Fremington Quay and its cafe, and Instow with its Victorian station and village amenities. A seasonal ferry from Instow offers a direct shortcut to Appledore, bypassing Bideford and a significant stretch of the trail, or continue via Bideford's historic Long Bridge, whose medieval structure features 24 arches. The Tarka Trail then follows the River Torridge's eastern bank past lime kilns and Tapeley Park's woodland to reach the picturesque fishing village of Appledore, complete with cobbled streets and quayside pubs.

Leaving Bideford, the Tarka Trail guides you along the eastern bank of the River Torridge, passing historic lime kilns and the ornamental woodlands of Tapeley Park, before reaching Appledore, a charming fishing village boasting cobbled streets, quayside pubs, and John’s popular deli. Beyond Appledore, the path skirts the lifeboat station and enters Northam Burrows Country Park, a vital SSSI comprising salt marsh, sand dunes, and open grassland. You’ll traverse this open landscape, mindful of the Royal North Devon Golf Course, and walk along the iconic pebble ridge that shields the burrows, finally arriving in Westward Ho!, Britain’s sole settlement proudly bearing an exclamation mark, immortalised by Charles Kingsley’s 1855 novel.

Leaving Appledore, the trail enters Northam Burrows Country Park, traversing salt marsh and dunes before reaching Westward Ho!, a unique village named after Kingsley's novel. After easy coastal walking past Seafield Holiday Park, a challenging succession of cliff ascents begins, including Cornborough, Abbotsham, Green, and dramatic Cockington Cliffs, with descents to beach level alternating with climbs like Westacott Cliff. Descending to Babbacombe Mouth and ascending past Higher Rowden, the path reveals distinctive red sandstone at Peppercombe. The route then climbs steeply through Sloo Wood before entering the ancient woodland of Worthygate, home to diverse flora and abundant birdlife, eventually descending to picturesque Buck's Mills. From here, the path enters Buck's Valley Woods, joining the magnificent Hobby Drive, a historic carriage road winding through three miles of ancient woodland above Bideford Bay, offering occasional glimpses of the spectacular coastline and Clovelly Bay before the arrival at the world-famous cobbled fishing village of Clovelly, complete with cafes and pubs.

Leaving Clovelly's iconic cobbled streets, the South West Coast Path immediately enters woodland, passing the carved Angel's Wings shelter before ascending to Gallantry Bower, where Bronze Age barrow remains sit atop 100-metre cliffs offering spectacular views. Descending through woodland, the path reaches Mouth Mill beach, notable for its 18th-century lime kiln and the dramatic Blackchurch Rock sea stack. A steep climb leads to Brownsham Cliff, followed by ascents and descents to Windbury Head, an Iron Age hillfort with views towards Lundy Island. The terrain intensifies over Exmansworthy, Fatacott, and Gawlish Cliffs, offering three kilometres of unrelieved 150-metre high clifftop. After rounding East Titchberry Cliff to Shipload Bay and crossing North, Blagdon, and Upright Cliffs, the path descends to Blackpool Mill valley, passing the filming location for 'The Shell Seekers', before a steep ascent to Dyers Lookout headland. Continuing past the Pleasure House folly and Rocket House, the challenging 23-mile stage culminates at Hartland Quay, a historic quay with shipwreck museum and refreshment at the Hartland Quay Hotel.

Starting from Hartland Quay, a challenging section of the South West Coast Path unfolds towards Bude, characterised by relentless ascents and descents navigating numerous river valleys. The route ventures past historic landmarks like the Angel's Wings shelter overlooking Clovelly, Gallantry Bower with its Bronze Age barrow, and the dramatic Blackchurch Rock at Mouth Mill. Windbury Head, an Iron Age hillfort with a bomber crash memorial, offers sweeping views, while the demanding clifftop walking continues over Exmansworthy, Fatacott, and onwards past Blackpool Mill, the filming location for 'The Shell Seekers'. A detour to Speke's Mill waterfall precedes more gruelling terrain, leading to Embury Beacon, an Iron Age settlement, before plunging to Welcombe Mouth. Crossing into Cornwall near Marsland Water, the path passes Hawker's Hut, the National Trust's smallest property, and the spectacular headland of Higher Sharpnose Point, before the imposing GCHQ satellite station at Cleave Camp. After Stanbury Mouth and Duckpool, refreshments can be found at a seasonal National Trust café at Sandy Mouth, completing the testing traverse before reaching Bude's Crooklets Beach.