Wild Guide to the South West

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XX 6 8 Crook Point sands, Lee Bay With beautiful sands and usually deserted, this is perhaps the best and most secret beach on this wild coastline. A small path leads through a hedge tunnel and there’s a tricky scramble down steep slopes, with the help of ropes. Find the section of coast path ½ mile W of ,, Lee Bay that passes around the fenced edge of a field. Just 100m SW of the apex, Crook Point, there is a clear gap in the hedge/fence and a path leads on through thicket and soon descends, with ropes. 10 mins, 51.2267, -3.8833 1hwb 9 Devil’s Slide pool, Lundy This little pond sits near the cliff edge – a perfect place for a dip with a sea or sunset view. Just to the SW is the impressive Devil’s Slide, a 400-foot rock face and the largest unbroken rock slab in the UK. Around it are crystal clear waters, and the offshore rock stacks of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Follow the island road to the Threequarter ,, Wall then bear NW for 300m. 40 mins, 51.1915, -4.6729 `6

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North Devon

caves and tunnels 10 Baggy Point sea caves At low tide you can explore this long tunnel by foot. At mid-tide you can swim right through but take care if there is a swell – you could get thrown up against the roof. Park in the NT car park at end of Moor ,, Lane, signed Baggy Point/NT from Croyde. Continue through gate up track 15 mins. Pass houses and whalebone sculpture. Look out for interesting little natural harbour with carved slipway and iron rings on L (good swimming). 300m further, take faint path L to rock outcrop and find caves below to the L. 20 mins, 51.1394, -4.2550 69w 11 Tunnels Beach, Ilfracombe Fun Victorian sea-bathing complex with old tunnels leading through cliff to two large tidal pools. Also some great rock-pooling. Lots of interesting history plus café. Entrance fee. Bath Place, Ilfracombe, EX34 8AN, 01271 ,, 879882 5 mins, 51.2100, -4.1287 1-7qs

sunset hilltops 12 Morte Point, Mortehoe Jagged pinnacles and razor-sharp slates hint at the deadly offshore reef that has robbed many sailors of their lives. Watch the sunset and feel as if you are at the end of the earth. From just beyond Barricane Beach (see 1) ,, follow the coast path along the edge of Grunta Beach and for a further mile to the point. 20 mins, 51.1881, -4.2293 13 Little and Great Hangman A steep climb leads to a craggy headland with tawny heather. Sherrycombe Water flows through the wild valley below, then tumbles over the cliff. German U-boats once anchored below to collect fresh water. As for Wild Pear Beach, then another mile on. ,, 40 mins, 51.2146, -4.0042 =zh 14 Battery Point, Lundy Steep steeps lead down to the cliffside ruins of the gun house and two cottages, which housed the gunner’s families. Built in an attempt to prevent shipwrecks in fog on Lundy, this signal station was built low down on the western cliffs in 1862. Two cannon fired a blank shot every 10 minutes. These


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