Mortehoe, near Woolacombe, North Devon
Morte Point
Coastal reserve
Place photograph
7.8
Wildland
1–2 hours for the National Trust’s 2.2-mile walk
Time
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Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.8A rugged headland reached by a short coastal walk, with views towards Woolacombe beach and Baggy Point. Atlantic grey seals may be seen close to shore; the National Trust’s route is dedicated to co-founder Octavia Hill.
Morte Point earns its place for the combination of exposed coastal walking, striking wave-worn rocks and the possibility of seeing grey seals from the path. The National Trust’s shorter walk makes the headland accessible as a focused outing, while rough, steep sections keep it feeling properly coastal.
Dramatic · Wild · Big-sky
Find your way
Open mapMortehoe, near Woolacombe, North Devon
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The experience
Take the National Trust’s 2.2-mile out-and-back walk from Mortehoe village car park to Morte Point. Allow 1½–2 hours, wear suitable footwear for rocky and steep sections, and watch the sea for seals without approaching the cliff edge.
Things to do
Walk the National Trust trail to the point
Follow the 2.2-mile trail from Mortehoe village car park along the South West Coast Path to Morte Point and return. The route has uneven, rocky and steep sections.
1½–2 hours
Look for grey seals from the coast path
Watch the water around the point for Atlantic grey seals, which the National Trust says may play close to shore. Keep to the path and observe from a safe distance.
Find the ‘stegosaurus’ rocks
Look for the rock formations known as the ‘stegosaurus’ rocks. The National Trust warns that they can be sharp and slippery.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1½–2 hours
Quick Escape: walk out to Morte Point
- 01
Start at Mortehoe village car park, grid reference SS458453.
- 02
Follow the National Trust walk out to Morte Point along the South West Coast Path.
- 03
Pause to take in the views towards Woolacombe beach and Baggy Point, and look for grey seals close to shore.
- 04
Return by the same route; take care on uneven, rocky and steep sections and around the sharp, slippery ‘stegosaurus’ rocks.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: Morte Point and Mortehoe
- 01
Begin with the National Trust’s 2.2-mile Morte Point walk from Mortehoe village car park; allow 1½–2 hours.
- 02
After the walk, stop in Mortehoe at Town Farmhouse Café, identified by the National Trust as a place to refuel.
- 03
Check local opening and access information before travelling; the available sources do not confirm café hours.
Verified history
Morte Point was an early gift to the National Trust from Rosalie Chichester, who lived at Arlington Court. The National Trust says the walk is dedicated to its co-founder Octavia Hill. The supplied evidence does not establish further historical details about the headland.
Hidden details
The ‘stegosaurus’ rocks — The National Trust uses this nickname for the rocks at Morte Point and warns visitors that they can be sharp and slippery.
The walk’s conservation connection — The route is dedicated to National Trust co-founder Octavia Hill; Morte Point was an early gift to the Trust from Rosalie Chichester.
When to go
· Choose a clear, settled spell for the coastal views; no specific time of day is established by the supplied sources.
The National Trust describes the South West Coast Path here as spectacular in both summer and winter. The supplied sources do not verify particular wildlife seasons or peak months.
The route is exposed and includes uneven, rocky and steep sections. Check the forecast and current trail conditions before setting out; take care on the sharp, slippery rocks.
The route
- stiles
- Check route details before visiting.
- surface
- Uneven, rocky and steep in places on the South West Coast Path.
- distance
- 2.2 miles (3.52 km) for the National Trust trail; a separate Morte Point and Bull Point circular loop is listed as 6.5 miles (10.4 km).
- duration
- 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours for the 2.2-mile National Trust trail; 2 hours 30 minutes for the separate 6.5-mile loop.
- difficulty
- Easy for the 2.2-mile trail according to the National Trust, although sections are uneven, rocky and steep. The separate 6.5-mile loop is rated challenging.
- waymarking
- Check route details before visiting.
- route shape
- The National Trust’s 2.2-mile route goes out to Morte Point and returns; exact route shape not specified. A separate longer Morte Point and Bull Point circular loop is available from Lee Bay.
- start point
- Mortehoe village car park, grid reference SS458453, for the 2.2-mile Morte Point walk.
- parking start
- Mortehoe village car park, EX34 7DT; not National Trust and a parking fee applies. The separate 6.5-mile loop starts at Lee Bay National Trust car park, EX34 8LR.
- Views towards Woolacombe beach and Baggy Point.
- Possible sightings of Atlantic grey seals close to shore.
- The ‘stegosaurus’ rocks; the National Trust warns they can be sharp and slippery.
Worth pairing with
Town Farmhouse Café, Mortehoe
The National Trust identifies this café in Mortehoe as a place to stop for refreshments. Check opening arrangements before visiting.
What to look for
- 01
The National Trust calls the distinctive formations at the point the ‘stegosaurus’ rocks
- 02
take care, as it warns they can be sharp and slippery. Look out to sea for Atlantic grey seals, which may play close to shore.
The story
National Trust conservation; the walk is dedicated to National Trust co-founder Octavia Hill.
Best time to go
The National Trust describes the coast path as spectacular in both summer and winter. Check conditions before walking; exposed, uneven sections may be challenging in poor weather.
The National Trust says the route is spectacular in both summer and winter. Choose a clear, settled day for the coastal views and check conditions before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours for the National Trust’s 2.2-mile walk; longer for the Bull Point circular route.
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Wildlife lovers · Dogs
Before you go
Address
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
The National Trust’s 2.2-mile walk starts at Mortehoe village car park and follows the South West Coast Path over uneven, rocky and steep sections. Check current access and parking arrangements before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
Start at Mortehoe village car park, EX34 7DT. The car park is not National Trust and a fee applies; check current arrangements before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
The National Trust identifies Town Farmhouse Café in Mortehoe as a place to stop for refreshments.
Dogs
Dogs welcome under close control on the National Trust walk.
Accessibility
Not wheelchair accessible according to the supplied Google listing. The National Trust describes the route as uneven, rocky and steep in places.
Cost
Paid parking; check current fee.
Check before visiting
Water
Sea
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Morte Point
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
