North Devon coast, from Northam and Bideford Bay towards Hartland Point

Bideford Bay and Hartland

Coastal reserve

Place photograph

7.8

Wildland

Half day

Time

Check

Cost

Dramatic

Feel

CoastalDunesWetlandVillageRemote countrysideWalkersPhotographersWildlife lovers

Why it's Wildland

7.8

A long stretch of North Devon coast where wooded valleys, hidden coves and exposed headlands give way to far-reaching views across Bideford Bay towards Lundy.

This is more than a dramatic cliff-top viewpoint: the National Trust’s coastal holding brings together secluded woodland valleys, wildflower grassland, tidal marsh, waterfalls and the Iron Age enclosure at Windbury Head. Its dispersed access points make it a place to explore in sections rather than rush through.

Dramatic · Wild · Peaceful · Big-sky

Find your way

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North Devon coast, from Northam and Bideford Bay towards Hartland Point

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The experience

Choose one access point rather than trying to cover this large, dispersed coastal property in a single short visit. For a compact outing, walk the documented Burrough Farm trail; for a longer day, pair a coastal section with a village or headland stop. Terrain can be steep and uneven.

Things to do

Walk the Burrough Farm trail

A one-mile circular route across farmland, through woodland and beside the River Torridge, with views across the estuary and inland towards Bideford. The route has steeper sections, uneven terrain, stiles and gates.

30–40 minutes

Explore Buck's Mills

Follow the fishing village down to its pebbly beach and look for the waterfall, rock pools and remains of lime kilns. The Cabin stands on the slipway.

Look across Bideford Bay from Windbury Head

Visit the 142-metre summit of Windbury Head, where an Iron Age enclosure occupies the cliff edge. The National Trust notes that part of the site has been lost to erosion; views reach across the bay towards Lundy.

Visit Kipling Tors

Climb the gorse-covered hill above Westward Ho! to find the old lookout and views over the bay. The hill was dedicated to Rudyard Kipling and given to the National Trust by the Kipling Memorial Fund in 1938.

Look for wrecks at Burrough Farm

At low tide, shipwreck remains may be visible around the headlands beside Burrough Farm and its tidal marsh.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · 30–40 minutes for the trail itself

Quick Escape: Burrough Farm and the Torridge

01
Start at Windmill Lane, Northam (grid reference SS458290).
02
Follow the one-mile circular trail across farmland, through woodland and alongside the River Torridge.
03
Take in views towards Bideford and, at low tide, look for wrecks around the headlands.

Half day · Check before visiting; allow extra time beyond any chosen walk

Make a Half Day of It: Buck's Mills and the coast

01
Visit Buck's Mills, the fishing village that descends to a pebbly beach.
02
Look for the waterfall, lime-kiln remains and rock pools.
03
See The Cabin on the slipway, the long-preserved artistic retreat of Mary Stella Edwards and Judith Ackland.
04
Add a coastal walk from a suitable local access point; check route conditions and access before setting out.

Verified history

Windbury Head Camp is an Iron Age enclosure on the summit of Beckland Cliffs, 142 metres above sea level; the National Trust says part of the site has been lost to cliff erosion. Kipling Tors was dedicated to Rudyard Kipling and given to the Trust by the Kipling Memorial Fund in 1938. At Buck's Mills, visitors can see remains of lime kilns. The Cabin on the village slipway was the artistic retreat of Mary Stella Edwards and Judith Ackland and, according to the National Trust, has remained trapped in time for over 40 years.

Hidden details

A tidal-marsh vantage for wrecks — At Burrough Farm, the National Trust says shipwrecks may be spotted around the headlands at low tide.

A rare plant at Brownsham — Brownsham Moors is an SSSI with wet and dry grassland. The National Trust identifies yellow bartsia, found only very locally, and the rare Cornish moneywort among its plants.

An Iron Age enclosure being taken by the sea — Windbury Head Camp occupies the cliff-top summit; erosion has already removed part of the archaeological site.

When to go

April · May · September · October · Check tide times for Burrough Farm if looking for wrecks. Choose a clear spell for long coastal views and allow for changing coastal weather.

The National Trust recommends spring for birdwatching and describes late spring and early autumn as mild, with the landscape vibrant. Summer may offer chances of spotting dolphins or sunfish at Windbury Head. Winter is more exposed and paths may be slippery.

Coastal conditions can change quickly. The supplied National Trust source warns that the ground is uneven and steep in places; the source row also notes slippery paths in winter. Check current weather, tide and route conditions before setting out.

The route

stiles: Stiles and gates
surface: Across farmland, through woodland and beside the River Torridge; uneven terrain.
distance: 1 mile (1.6 km)
duration: 30–40 minutes
difficulty: Moderate
route shape: Circular
start point: Windmill Lane, Northam, grid reference SS458290
parking start: Check current parking arrangements for the chosen start point before travelling.

Views across the River Torridge estuary and inland towards Bideford
Woodland and farmland
Possible views of wrecks around the headlands at low tide

Worth pairing with

Clovelly and Peace Park

The National Trust suggests pairing a visit to the small, tree-surrounded Peace Park, with its views over Bideford Bay, with a walk around Clovelly's car-free village.

Hartland Quay

A nearby coastal stop described by the supplied local accommodation guide for its contorted cliff rock layers and access to the South West Coast Path. Check current access and facilities before visiting.

What to look for

At low tide, look for possible shipwreck remains around Burrough Farm’s headlands. At Buck's Mills, find the waterfall, lime-kiln remains and rock pools. At Windbury Head, notice how cliff erosion has taken part of the Iron Age enclosure.

The story

Iron Age archaeology, coastal fishing and maritime history; Windbury Head Camp is an Iron Age enclosure, and Buck's Mills has remains of lime kilns.

Best time to go

Spring for wildflowers and birdwatching; late spring and early autumn are described as mild and vibrant. Winter can bring dramatic coastal weather, but paths may be slippery.

Spring is the strongest choice for birdwatching and wildflowers. At Windbury Head, the National Trust suggests watching the sea in summer for possible dolphins or sunfish. Check tide and weather conditions before coastal walks.

How long to spend

Half day

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers · Families · Dogs

Practical information

Opening & access

National Trust countryside is listed as open dawn to dusk. The coastline is reached at several points using minor roads, including Brownsham and East Titchberry. Check current access and parking arrangements before setting out.

Check before visiting

Parking

National Trust car parking is available at listed access points. The main property page says the car park uses JustPark for member check-in and non-member payments; members are not charged. Check the chosen access point before travelling.

Check before visiting

Toilets

The National Trust property page states there are no toilets.

Food & drink

Check before visiting. The supplied National Trust sources do not confirm food facilities at the property.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Dogs are allowed at the property. On the Burrough Farm trail, dogs are welcome on leads.

Accessibility

Ground is undulating and uneven, steep in places; steps and uneven terrain are noted. The cliff top is accessible from the East Titchberry car park. Check the National Trust accessibility guide for route-specific detail.

Check before visiting

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

Sea, tidal marsh, River Torridge, waterfalls and rock pools. No swimming or paddling permission is evidenced; check locally before entering the water.

Check before visiting