Lee Bay to Barnstaple: October 2012

Lee Bay to Barnstaple
Thursday 25 October to Monday 29 October 2012

For this section of the Coast Path we stayed at Sandbourne Bed and Breakfast, Croyde, getting to and from the beginning and end of each day's walk by bus and/or car.  Sandbourne was a very comfortable Bed and Breakfast, almost on the Coast Path itself.  Braunton might be a good alternative for this section, with good bus links around the region.

 

Thursday 25 October 2012

Drove from Bridport to Sandbourne after work so that we could make an early start on Friday morning.

 

Friday 26 October 2012
Lee Bay to Woolacombe (Walk total 8 miles)

Started the day with a full English breakfast at Sandbourne before setting out by car to Woolacombe, where we parked opposite the Tourist Information Office (car parking free out of season/charges apply during the holiday season).

 

We then caught the bus from Woolacombe to Borough Cross (OS Map Reference SS476444) and walked to Lee Bay via Warcombe Lane, Six Acre Wood and the woodland footpath down Borough Valley.  The Hotel marked on the map is virtually derelict: do not expect to be able to stay or find a meal there!  If you want a meal nearby, our experience of the Grampus Inn, just up the lane past the hotel buildings, was excellent.

 

It was at Lee Bay that we picked up the Coast Path once again, climbing out of the Bay at first on the road before taking the pathway on the right.  We followed the Path past Bull Point and Morte Point eventually reaching Woolacombe.

 

Elizabeth found lots of mushrooms on this part of the Path.

 

We're not quite sure what it is or whether it's edible!

After a wander around Woolacombe we had a supper meal at The Red Barn - the tag line on their web-site is 'Beer Food Surf Music'.

 

Elizabeth had a leek, Stilton and butternut squash crumble with a jacket potato and small salad (disappointing), while I had a jacket potato with chili beef and a small salad (good). 

 

After supper we returned to Sandbourne and to bed!

 

Saturday 27 October 2012
Woolacombe to Croyde (Walk total 8 miles)

Full English breakfast at Sandbourne before catching the bus to the start of the day's walk at Woolacombe (change at Braunton).

Before setting out on the Path we thought that it was a good idea to have a coffee at The Red Barn.  We eventually set out about noon, following The Marine Drive before turning to the west to head for Baggy Point.  Shortly after leaving Woolacombe the path became quite quiet, with only the occasional group of walkers.  All this changed at Baggy Point, with many people taking a stroll from Croyde to Baggy Point on a beautiful sunny day at the end of half term week.

Woolacombe and Morte Bay

Small Copper Butterfly near Baggy Point

After a lunch-time picnic below Croydehoe Farm, we followed the Coast Path across the beach and then took a detour into Croyde to 'see the sights' before returning to the Path, again across the beach to return to Sandbourne.

Our evening meal was taken at The Manor Inn, Croyde.  Elizabeth had a (rather more fatty than expected) belly of pork, while I had a very good seafood linguine.  The waitress and the chef agreed with our comments about the belly of pork and they offered us complimentary deserts.  We opted for a very good cheeseboard - to share.  We were very pleased with the way the staff handled our complaint and went back for dinner there the next day (Sunday).

Elizabeth tells me that I have written rather much about the detail of the meals taken while doing the Path.  Perhaps it will become something of a 'Gastronomic South West Coast Walk'!

 

Sunday 28 October 2012
Croyde to Braunton (Walk total 10 miles)

Once again had full English breakfast at Sandbourne before setting out on foot on the section to Braunton.

We took the upper route at Saunton Hotel.  It was well worth the climb to get off of the main road and for the views.  From Saunton we followed the 'official' path to the east of the golf course, rather than the walk across Saunton Sands.

As we were walking along the top of the dyke to Braunton, where we found a tea shop and had a hot chocolate drink and a toasted tea cake each.  A very welcome break! 

Also in the tea shop sheltering from the rain was another couple who were back-packing (camping) the Coast Path.  We were very impresed - they were not youngsters!  They were planning to go on to Barnstaple that evening.

We then caught the bus back to Croyde and we returned to Sandbourne to dry out before going to The Manor Inn for a roast beef carvery dinner.

 

Monday 29 October 2012
Braunton to Barnstaple (Walk total 6 miles)

After breakfast at the Bed and Breakfast we sett out by car for Barnstaple, where we caught the bus (frequent service) to Braunton.

We set out from Braunton after buying a picnic lunch from the Co-op store.  There are many other options for stocking up picnics at Braunton and a small but interesting museum at the Tourist Information Centre.

The Path follows the trackbed of the disused railway line; not, perhaps, the most interesting parts of the walk.  To begin with the Chivenor air base lies between the path and the Taw estuary, so there are no sea views until the air base is left behind, where the Path comes alongside the river estuary, with its interesting houseboats and busy waders.

We followed the Coast Path under the impressive Taw Bridge and returned to our car before making the return journey home.

We look forward to walking the next part of the Path from Barnstaple to Clovelly......