Day 8 - Wednesday 17 May 2017
Clovelly to Stoke (12.9 miles)
We were in for a mixed weather day today - heavy rain in the morning then overcast followed by glorious sunshine from 1500. Anna dropped us off in Clovelly and after a brief look around the village we were off - with light rucksacks!! The terrain from Clovelly to just before the Radar Station at Hartland was mainly woods & field paths with lots of the customary ups and downs. Reaching Brownsham we came across a group of belligerent cows who were blocking our access to the stile. There was only one thing for it and that was to find a detour as they were clearly upset and were not going to shift - luckily the detour did not take us out of our way too far and we were soon reunited with the path. Arriving at Hartland Point the scenery was just superb and stayed with us all the way to Hartland Quay.
What a bonus at Hartland Point - the cafe was open therefore we availed ourselves of our first Cream Tea of our trip which was excellent. Lots of people here and no wonder - it is a cracking spot in which to sit and enjoy the scenery on offer. Near the idyllic cottage at Blackpool Mill we met Lee from Portsmouth - he was walking to Clovelly and was walking the path the opposite way to us - we wished him well and set off to our destination at Hartland Quay. As we were arriving at The Wreckers Retreat the Coastguard were just leaving having dealt with an incident on the cliffs. After a lovely meal and beer at The Wreckers Retreat we wandered along the road to Stoke and our digs at Coastguard Cottage.
What a bonus at Hartland Point - the cafe was open therefore we availed ourselves of our first Cream Tea of our trip which was excellent. Lots of people here and no wonder - it is a cracking spot in which to sit and enjoy the scenery on offer. Near the idyllic cottage at Blackpool Mill we met Lee from Portsmouth - he was walking to Clovelly and was walking the path the opposite way to us - we wished him well and set off to our destination at Hartland Quay. As we were arriving at The Wreckers Retreat the Coastguard were just leaving having dealt with an incident on the cliffs. After a lovely meal and beer at The Wreckers Retreat we wandered along the road to Stoke and our digs at Coastguard Cottage.
Access to Clovelly is strictly for pedestrians only
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Mount Pleasant in Clovelly. This grassy knoll, known locally as Peace Park, is a popular picnic spot with visitors to Clovelly. There are seats with spectacular views across Bideford Bay, and a memorial to Clovelly residents who died in the First World War. The area was donated to the National Trust in 1921 by Clovelly benefactor Mrs Christine Hamlyn, for the use of the village in perpetuity, her gift commemorated on a plaque.
Lovely old marker post in Clovelly
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The Angel’s Wings near Clovelly - a charming wooden shelter. Built in the 19th century, it gained its name from the elegant carvings of angels and angels’ wings supporting the roof. It was built by Sir James Hamlyn Williams, a former owner of Clovelly. He placed it here so that he could look across Bideford Bay to where his daughter, Lady Chichester lived at Youlston.
Memorial to the Wellington Bomber that crashed below Windbury Point in 1942
The Trig Point on Chapman Rock
Above Gawlish Cliff with Hartland Radar Station just about visible
As you do - I can feel Fudge's disinterest
Looking back along the route towards Clovelly - was the weather about to get better?
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Well if the weather wasn't getting better then an impromptu stop at this little gem of a cafe really did hit the spot - our first Cream Tea of the walk.
Hartland Point
The Trinity House Stone Marker near Hartland Point
Hartland Point Lighthouse - built in 1874 and automated in 1984. The island in the distance is Lundy.
The memorial on Blagdon Cliff to HM Hospital Ship Glenart Castle. Despite displaying the correct lighting to indicate she was a hospital ship, the Glenart Castle was sunk by a torpedo fired from a German U Boat, killing 162 people with only 32 surviving the ordeal
Damehole Point
Looking to Blegberry & Hartland Quay
Heading along to Berry Cliff & Blackpool Mill
Heading up the zig zag path to Berry Cliff
The final rise to Berry Cliff
Up on Berry Cliff
Meeting up with Lee from Portsmouth who was walking the path the other way round to us - he was off to Clovelly
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Blackpool Mill - renowned for its starring role as ‘Barton Cottage' in the BBC production of Jane Austen’s ‘Sense and Sensibility’, as the cottage in Rosamund Pilcher’s ‘The Shell Seekers’ and in 2016, the location for The Lanyon in BBC’s ‘The Night Manager’ starring Tom Hiddleston. It is also a holiday cottage managed by Hartland Abbey & Gardens - it is a bit pricey though!!
Berry Cliff & Damehole Point
Panorama showing just how remote Blackpool Mill is
The ruin on the Warren near Hartland Quay. A folly known as The Pleasure House, it is thought to have been built in the sixteenth century.
The village of Stoke & St Nectan's Church can be seen through the arch.
The village of Stoke & St Nectan's Church can be seen through the arch.
Warren Beach
Sea Pinks (Thrift) adorn the cliff edges at Warren Beach
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The Wreckers Retreat at Hartland Quay - a nice place to end todays walk
The view from The Wreckers Retreat - not bad is it?
Overnight Accommodation
4 nights in Coastguard Cottage, Stoke
4 nights in Coastguard Cottage, Stoke
Day 8 Data
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Mileage
Cumulative Mileage Time Cumulative Time Total Ascent Cumulative Ascent |
12.9 miles
116.6 miles 7 hrs 10 min 54 hrs 35 min 3677 ft 28003 ft |