Bull Point, near Mortehoe, Ilfracombe, North Devon, EX34 8LR
Bull Point Lighthouse
Industrial heritage
Place photograph
6.4
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.4A lighthouse still marks this rugged headland, but the ground beneath its predecessor gave way: after cliff movement and a major collapse in September 1972, a replacement was built inland and began operating in 1975.
Bull Point pairs a working piece of maritime history with a dramatic North Devon headland. The rewarding part is the approach on foot: open clifftop views, rocky coves and the striking story of a lighthouse forced to move when the cliff began to collapse.
Dramatic · Wild · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapBull Point, near Mortehoe, Ilfracombe, North Devon, EX34 8LR
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Walk the South West Coast Path from Mortehoe towards Bull Point for clifftop scenery and a view of the active lighthouse. The compound is private, so this is a landscape-and-history visit rather than an interior tour.
Things to do
Walk the South West Coast Path to Bull Point
Follow the coastal path from Mortehoe towards the headland and view the lighthouse from outside its private compound.
The described circular walk is about 3 miles and takes around 1.5–2 hours at a leisurely pace; route conditions may affect timing.
Take in the headland and coastal views
Pause along the path to appreciate the rugged coastline and look towards the coves below. The lighthouse is a landmark on the headland, but the compound is not open to visitors.
Read the landscape through the lighthouse’s history
Trinity House records that cliff movement was reported in September 1972, followed by a major collapse. The replacement lighthouse was built in 1974 and automated in 1975.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow time for a short coastal-path out-and-back; exact distance and duration depend on your starting point.
Quick escape: lighthouse and headland
- 01
Start from Mortehoe and follow the South West Coast Path towards Bull Point.
- 02
Enjoy the clifftop views and view the lighthouse from the path.
- 03
Return the way you came; do not enter the private lighthouse compound.
Half day · About 1.5–2 hours for the described circular walk, before adding stops.
Make a half day of it: Mortehoe to Bull Point
- 01
Begin in Mortehoe village and follow the South West Coast Path along the clifftops towards Bull Point.
- 02
Pause for views towards Lundy Island and Rockham Bay, as described by the local guide source.
- 03
View Bull Point Lighthouse from the path; its compound is not open to visitors.
- 04
Use the described field return to complete the approximately 3-mile circular walk to Mortehoe.
- 05
Check route conditions and any local facilities before setting out.
Verified history
The first Bull Point Lighthouse was built in 1879. On 18 September 1972, the Principal Keeper reported ground movement and widening fissures near the engine room and passage. In the early hours of 24 September, 15 metres of cliff face fell into the sea and another 15 metres subsided. The collapse damaged the station and put the fog signal out of action. Work on a replacement began in 1974; the lighthouse was automated in 1975 and is now monitored and controlled from Trinity House’s Planning Centre in Harwich. The compound is private and not open to visitors, according to the supplied visitor-information source.
Hidden details
The lighthouse’s forced move — The current lighthouse followed dramatic cliff movement in 1972. Trinity House describes fissures opening near the original station and a cliff collapse that damaged the site; construction of the replacement began in 1974.
The compound is not the visitor destination — The lighthouse compound is private and closed to visitors. The coastal path provides the approach and views; do not mistake access along the path for permission to enter the site.
When to go
April · May · June · July · August · September · Choose daylight and good visibility; no specific best time of day is established by the supplied sources.
Longer daylight in spring and summer gives more flexibility for a coastal walk. Conditions and path suitability should be checked before visiting.
Coastal weather and visibility can change; check the forecast and current path conditions before setting out. The supplied sources do not provide a specific safety or weather advisory.
The route
- surface
- Not specified by supplied sources; check current conditions.
- distance
- About 3 miles for the circular walk described by the local guide.
- duration
- About 1.5–2 hours at a leisurely pace, according to the local guide.
- difficulty
- Not specified by supplied sources; check route suitability before setting out.
- waymarking
- The route follows the South West Coast Path on the outward leg; details of waymarking for the full circuit are not specified.
- route shape
- Circular, from Mortehoe via the coast path to Bull Point and back through fields, as described by the local guide.
- start point
- Mortehoe village, according to the local guide.
- parking start
- Parking details are not confirmed by supplied sources; check before visiting.
- shorter alternative
- A shorter out-and-back towards the headland may be possible, but no specific distance or turnaround point is verified; check the route locally.
- Bull Point Lighthouse viewed from the coastal path
- Clifftop views and rugged coastline
- Views towards Lundy Island and Rockham Bay, as described by the local guide
- The lighthouse’s documented 1972 cliff-collapse history
Worth pairing with
Mortehoe village
Use Mortehoe as the described starting point for the coastal walk. The supplied sources do not verify particular cafés, pubs or opening hours.
Rockham Bay
The local guide describes views towards this cove along the coastal approach. Access down to the bay and current conditions are not confirmed here; check locally before attempting a descent.
What to look for
Look for the lighthouse from the coastal path and imagine the 1972 cliff movement described by Trinity House: the keeper reported fissures, followed by a substantial collapse and damage to the original station. The present lighthouse was built inland.
The story
Industry, Maritime
Best time to go
Spring to early autumn for longer daylight and coastal walking; check conditions before visiting in any season.
Choose a clear, settled day for coastal views; allow extra time in wind, rain or poor visibility, and check path conditions before you go.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Reach the headland by the South West Coast Path. The lighthouse compound is private and not open to visitors; admire the lighthouse from the path and do not enter restricted areas. Check current path conditions before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
Parking details are not confirmed by the supplied sources. Check before visiting; the walk is described as starting in Mortehoe village.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting; dog rules are not confirmed by the supplied sources.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The supplied Google data says the attraction does not have a wheelchair-accessible entrance. The approach is a coastal walking route; check its current condition and suitability before setting out.
Check before visiting
Cost
Check before visiting; no charge information supplied.
Check before visiting
Water
Sea
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Bull Point Lighthouse
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
