12 - Westward Ho! to Buck's Mills

Stage Distance: 6 miles (Total Distance: 94 miles)

The weekend of the Royal Wedding and a three day break in North Devon, staying at the excellent Higher Derracott Farm near Great Torrington.  The plan is to walk three stages.  Due to the lack of public transport serving some of the stages, we have booked a second car (very reasonably from Enterprise car rentals in Barnstaple) for the weekend.

The weather is overcast but dry.  Passing the last of the chalets in Westward Ho! the path leaves the town and passes over Cornborough, Abbotsham and Green Cliffs.  An added bonus early on is the view of a Darftford Warbler, showing nicely on the gorse. 

After enjoying the great views along the coast from the top of Green Cliff, the path continues over Cockington Cliff and then descends steeply down to the beach at Westacott Cliff before climbing back up again.  A pretty thicket provided some welcome shelter from the strong wind for lunch.  Dark thunder clouds passing overhead brings some sharp showers before passing over the Bristol Channel.  The path continues over Rowden and down into Peppercombe before passing into Sloo Wood.  At this time of the year, the bluebells are carpeting the woods.  This and the next stage have a lot of woodland walking so we're in for a treat.  Bluebells and dappled sunlight  - perfect!

On through Worthygate Wood and soon the path descends to Buck's Mills.  A short walk up the road leads back to the car park.

Logistics: Parked at Buck's Mills and drove the hire car back to Westward Ho!.
GPS Track: 12 - Westward Ho! to Buck's Mills (20110430).kmz 
Images: 12 - Westward Ho! to Buck's Mills