07/07/20 - Woolacombe to Bull Point

Distance - 6.5 Miles
Geocaches - 15
Walk Inspiration - AA Pocket Walks - Walk 9


In this post lockdown world - we are certainly doing our bit to revive the economy.  Our first contribution is when we pull up to the large car park at Woolacombe Beach and see it's £8 per day.  £4 if you can be back by 1pm.  Unlikely, we have plans for a pint and takeaway fish and chips.

Note to futureself - the less salubrious car park over the road is half that.

View from an £8 car park

The beach at Woolacombe is dog friendly, if you are heading in the other direction to our plans.  We take Joy down for a look at what she could have won and start the walk proper - heading North to the lighthouse at Bull Point.

This must be the South West Coast at its most rugged.  Beautiful views out to Lundy and rollercoaster ups and downs, with the colour scheme changing from lush green sheep pastures to bleached white rocks.   A delight - made even better by a fantastically varied geocache trail - that proved fun until Guide Dog Abi got bored with all the hanging around.

Guide Dog in Training Abi wishing we stayed on the beach

Our route for the day

In the distance, we saw the steps down to Rockham Beach.  There was some deliberation about whether to drop down the steep decline, knowing we would have to climb back up.  On arrival, the reason for the lack of human activity was all too clear.

Stairs no more at inaccessible Rockham Beach

Bull Point - our turning around point - is not too far in the distance.  Prayers were made that there would be a tea shop but these were rendered unanswered - all there is a lighthouse - complete with fog horn.

Bull Point - and the Turning Point

Mortehoe is a little inland village.  We were meant to only skirt the perimeter but on OS Map inspection, we spotted the Big Blue Cup of Joy.   Its midday - the pub is calling.

And it couldn't have been a prettier scene - dominant church and a wonderful little pub called the Ship Aground.  Double whammy on the disappointment stakes - the pub will not reopen until the risk of covid has been eliminated.  The chipper doesn't open until 2pm - although Mr Chipper is at work 2 hours early - distracted by his fishing rod delivery from Parcel Force.  We can only assume he is going self sufficient.

What sort of animal doesn't serve lunch until 2pm, Mrs M asks?  Only Devonian cider from the village stores will placate her.

Church and Pub - the lovely looking Ship Aground

Snakebite love  - making do with Cornish Lager and Devon Cider

As good as this was, it turned out to be another mistake - around the corner from the church is the fully functional Chichester Arms - looking both lively and earthy.

A case of "look what you could have won"

Its all downhill back to Woolacombe.  Mrs M has googled the best fish and chips shops - and of the ones open, its the Captains Table that has the highest reviews.

I am sent to work out the new rules - which involve waiting at the door until someone comes and serves you.

Delight at the fact that they are doing takeaways is only tempered when Fish and Chips twice comes to £23.90.

These masks mean that everyone gets to play at Dick Turpin.