16 of the Best Picnic Spots in North Devon Includes: • Written directions • OS Grid refs • Long/Lat refs
Compiled and written by Bryan Cath North Devon & Exmoor Walking Festival Co-ordinator
Picnic Spots around North Devon Here are some suggestions for enjoying a picnic in North Devon. They are roughly in an order from east to west, can all be driven to, some with an extra short walk. There is a mix of free and pay-and-display car parks. They are all away from the noise of a main road. The locations all offer grassy areas some with picnic tables and additional facilities such as a pub, restaurant or cafe, and some with toilets. Some have excellent views or are beside rivers or the sea and most give a good chance of seeing wildlife close-to-hand.
1, Ilkerton Ridge, Barbrook, Lynton
Free
Location: Go to the A39 between Blackmoor Gate (junction of A39 and A399) and Lynmouth. Barbrook is above Lynton and Lynmouth, distinctive with the only petrol station for miles! Turn up the small road by the petrol station signed to Ilkerton and Shallowford. After 0.5 miles pass through the small hamlet of East Ilkerton, continuing ahead uphill. When the road levels off, cross the cattle grid and now there are plenty of places to park. OS Grid ref: SS712457 Long/Lat: 51.2011; -3.8441 Description: This ridge is classic moorland with a mix of heather and short grass with gorse bushes. This small road is a cul-de-sac and continues ahead along the top of the ridge giving a good selection of places to stop and have a quiet and secluded picnic.
2, Valley of Rocks, near Lynton
P&D
Location: Go to the A39 between Lynmouth and Blackmoor Gate (the junction with the A399 and A39). At Barbrook take the turning opposite the fuel station, the B3234 towards Lynmouth and Lynton. In 0.6 miles bear off to the left towards Lynton. Follow this road for another 0.9 miles through all the bends until your reach a T-junction. Turn left here towards the Valley of Rocks. Keep on this road to cross a cattle grid. The picnic area is now on the left with a toilet block. OS Grid ref: SS711496 Long/Lat: 51.2322; -3.8483 Description: This walled picnic area has plenty of grass and some picnic benches for a safe place to play. It is in the stunning Valley of Rocks close to the most picturesque cricket pitch (possibly in the country). There are plenty of walks from here and feral goats roam the valley.
3, Heddon’s Mouth, near Combe Martin
Honesty
Location: Go to the A399 between Combe Martin and Blackmoor Gate (the junction with the A399 and A39). Take the turning signed to Hunters Inn about 2 miles above Combe Martin off the A399. Follow this road towards Hunters Inn, ignoring all roads off, for 4.7 miles until dropping down into the wooded valley and reaching Hunter’s Inn. Park here.
OS Grid ref: SS655480 (Hunter’s Inn) Long/Lat: 51.2162; -3.9267 Description: To reach the Heddon’s Mouth means a walk alongside the river to the coast of about 1 mile. There is a grassed area by the footbridge over the river before reaching the coast which would shorten the walk by about 0.2 miles. Take the path to the right of Hunter’s Inn and follow it along the valley to the beach. The beach is sheltered with high cliffs and a stony beach. A restored lime kiln overlooks the beach.
4, Wistlandpound Reservoir, near Blackmoor Gate Location: Go to the A399 between South Molton and Combe Martin. The reservoir is on a road that goes off the A399 just south-east of the junction of the A399 and A39, Blackmoor Gate, on the edge of Exmoor. Follow this small road for 1.1 miles to reach the car park on the left.
P&D
OS Grid ref: SS639415 Long/Lat: 51.1573; -3.9473 Description: From the car park, go to its far end and follow the track that goes off to the left. This brings you down to the reservoir which has a lovely walk around the lake. There are picnic tables in places around the lake or the shore in parts is ideal for a picnic.
5, Eggesford Forest, Eggesford
Free
Location: Eggesford is located on the A377 between Barnstaple and Crediton. The A377 meets the A39 on a roundabout on the outskirts of Barnstaple. From this roundabout follow the A377 for 18 miles, passing the Fox and Hounds Hotel and Eggesford Station. From the junction by the station with the level crossing, continue on the main road, A377 for a further 0.9 miles and turn left into the Eggesford Forest. It has a wide entrance and signs. Follow the track as it winds up hill to reach the car parking area. OS Grid ref: SS693105 Long/Lat: 50.8804; -3.8583 Description: This is a delightful place to have a picnic, under the canopy of tall trees is a grassed area with picnic tables and toilet block. You will also find many walks along defined paths through the forest.
6, Fremington Quay
Free
Location: Go to the A39, the North Devon Link Road, that bypasses Barnstaple. At the Roundswell roundabout, which is the junction with the B3232 to Great Torrington and the A3125 into Barnstaple, turn onto the A3125 and cross the next two roundabouts to reach a third roundabout by Cedars Inn. Turn left here towards Fremington and Instow. 1.1 miles from here turn right to Fremington Quay and follow this small road beside the Fremington
Pill for 0.8 miles to the coast. At the old station turn left and right along the front of the station watching out for cycles and walkers to reach a small car park by the picnic area. OS Grid ref: SS517334 Long/Lat: 51.0816; -4.1180 Description: There is a large fenced off area here for picnics with tables overlooking the Taw estuary. Beside this is the Tarka Trail walk and cycleway. There is cycle hire and the Fremington Quay cafe in the old station buildings. There are public toilets.
7, Rosemoor, Great Torrington
Free
Location: Go to Great Torrington on the A386. From the mini-roundabout in Great Torrington continue along the A386 towards Hatherleigh. At the bottom of the hill, where the main road swings right over the Torridge River, instead bear left on to the A3124 towards Winkleigh. In 0.5 miles from that junction turn right into Rosemoor Gardens (RHS) and then turn left to the picnic area and park here. OS Grid ref: SS499175 Long/Lat: 50.9376; -4.1354 Description: Rosemoor Gardens have provided a large well-kept field for overflow parking and picnics. There are a few picnic tables and walks in the neighbouring woodlands. There is a toilet block next to this field. The gardens are well-worth a visit.
8, Great Torrington Common
Free
Location: Go to Great Torrington on the A386 from Bideford. You will pass the Puffing Billy before climbing a hill to Great Torrington. At the top of the hill, turn left, opposite the turning on the right to Langtree, into the commons. You will find a foodcaravan and toilets here. Park anywhere on the grass. OS Grid ref: SS485195 Long/Lat: 50.9543; -4.1580 Description: There are picnic tables and plenty of grass to choose from on the commons, or you can follow any of the many paths to find a more secluded spot.
9, Instow beach Location: Go to the A39 between Barnstaple and Bideford. From the Barnstaple direction, go almost to Bideford and just before the Torridge Bridge, take the turning to the right to Great Torrington (A386) and Instow (B3233). This is an awkward junction, so take care. Go down to the roundabout and turn right and follow this road alongside the River Torridge to Instow. Bear left into the village and over the old
P&D
level crossing. There is parking in a small car park or along the side of the road or in the dunes at the far end. OS Grid ref: SS472308 Long/Lat: 51.0539; -4.1818 Description: Instow beach is a long sandy beach on the estuary of the Taw and Torridge Rivers. There are many moored boats and it looks over to Appledore on the other shore. There are plenty of facilities of a small village.
10, Woolacombe beaches
P&D
Location: Go to the A361 between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe. Go to the Mullacott roundabout above Ilfracombe and turn towards Woolacombe on the B3343. Follow this road all the way to Woolacombe. There are several car parks to choose from or the chance to park on The Esplanade, the road to Mortehoe. OS Grid ref: SS457438 Long/Lat: 51.1268; -4.2360 Description: In Woolacombe there are many suitable places for picnics by the sea. There is the main beach, or for more seclusion then choose Barricane beach which is along The Esplanade towards Mortehoe. There are also large areas of grass overlooking the beaches alongside The Esplanade with seats. Woolacombe Warren is the large dune system along the back of the main beach. This offers delightful, if not sandy spots for a private picnic.
11, Braunton Burrows, near Braunton
Free
Location: Go to the A361, Barnstaple to Ilfracombe road and go to Braunton. At Braunton traffic lights turn towards Croyde on the B3231 and follow for 0.8 miles to turn left into Moor Lane. Follow this lane for a further 0.8 miles to its end and turn left. Follow this lane for a further 0.8 miles and turn right into the car park. OS Grid ref: SS463350 Long/Lat: 51.0935; -4.1966 Description: Braunton Burrows is a large dunes system at the back of Saunton Sands. It offers a wonderful selection of places to picnic with grassy areas as well as the sand dunes and slacks. From the car park follow the path into the dunes and soon you will be able to choose your spot. You may need to walk half a mile or more to find somewhere that suits you.
12, Northam Burrows, near Westward Ho! Location: Go to the A39, North Devon Link Road and follow it to Bideford. At the Bideford roundabout turn towards Northam and Westward Ho! on the A386. In 0.5 miles ignore the A386 turning of right to Appledore. Continue on a few yards and take the next right to Northam. In 0.3 miles pass through the shopping area and as the road turns left, take the road ahead/left beside the Post Office and follow it
P&D
round to the left. Now keep on this road for 1.1 miles as it descends to reach the burrows and its car park. OS Grid ref: SS438305 Long/Lat: 51.0528; -4.2296 Description: Northam Burrows is protected from the sea by a large shingle ridge. It is mainly grass with drainage channels. There is plenty of choice for picnic spots, either in the burrows or the shingle ridge or Westward Ho! sandy beach. There is a Visitor centre and toilets by the car park.
13, Croyde Beach
P&D
Location: Go to the A361, Barnstaple to Ilfracombe road and go to Braunton. At Braunton traffic lights turn towards Croyde on the B3231 and follow for 4.0 miles. The beach is now on your left and go into the car park now on your right. There is a path to the beach from this car park. OS Grid ref: SS434387 Long/Lat: 51.1268; -4.2360 Description: This end of Croyde beach offers plenty of secluded spots for a picnic, or the main beach. You can also turn left on to the South West Coast Path and walk a short way around to the headland where you will find seats or short grass with views over both Croyde and Saunton beaches.
14, Cookworthy Forest, near Holsworthy
Free
Location: Go to the A3072 between Holsworthy and Hatherleigh. Along this road go to Dunsland Cross near Brandis Corner and follow the A3079 towards Okehampton. From this junction go 1.9 miles passing the Cookworthy Forest Centre on the right, turn left just past this into the Cookworthy Forest where you will find a picnic area and parking. OS Grid ref: SS415015 Long/Lat: 50.7909; -4.2488 Description: An old railway track passes through this forested area offering easy cycling to Halwill Junction as well as plenty of easy walking. This is in the heart of Ruby Country where a new section of the Ruby trail is now open.
15, Clovelly Location: Go to the A39, North Devon Link Road or Atlantic Highway, between Bideford and Kilkhampton. From Bideford roundabout go 9.9 miles west towards Kilkhampton. At the roundabout above Clovelly, turn right on to the B3237 and follow it for 1.1 miles down to Clovelly village, bearing right into the village car park. There are public toilets and a visitor centre. OS Grid ref: SS315249 Long/Lat: 50.9989; -4.4038
P&D
Description: Clovelly village is a uniquely preserved fishing village clinging to the steep cliff. There are no vehicles, just ponies to help on the steep cobbled streets. At the bottom of this village is a small picturesque harbour. There are several opportunities for picnics. At the top of the village, before descending the cobbles, there are places for a picnic. If you are able to walk a short way along the South West Coast Path towards Hartland you will find a ‘hidden’ seat after about half a mile, ideal for a picnic overlooking the Bideford Bay. Further along the path you will come to another seat called the Angels Wings again with good sea views.
16, Blackpool Mill, near Hartland
Free
Location: Go to the A39, North Devon Link Road or Atlantic Highway, between Bideford and Kilkhampton. From Bideford roundabout go 9.9 miles west towards Kilkhampton. At the roundabout above Clovelly go straight over still on the A39. In 0.3 miles as the main road swings left, turn right on to the B3248 to go 3.6 miles to Hartland. Pass through the village and turn left at the T junction to go to Hartland Quay and Stoke. Drive a further 1.5 miles, passing Hartland Abbey on the way, to reach the tall church tower of Stoke church. Park in the car park by the church. OS Grid ref: SS225256 Long/Lat: 51.0036; -4.5303 Description: To reach Blackpool Mill, a delightful little bay on the coast where the latest Sense and Sensibility was filmed in the small cottage there, there is an easy 0.9 mile walk on footpaths. From the church continue ahead along the road and in 0.1 miles take the footpath on the right. Follow the path down the field for 0.2 miles to reach the path going along the edge of the valley. Continue ahead for a further 0.4 miles to where the path divides and take the right fork. Cross the stream and pass the old cottage to reach the grassy area above the rocky beach.
Guide to Symbols
Good views Wildlife nearby
Woodland setting Toilets nearby
Parking; Free, Honesty or P&D
Restaurant or pub nearby
Cafe nearby
Picnic tables available Walks nearby Easy access to a beach
And finally... All these sites are on privately owned land. Please remember to take your litter away with you, do not light any fires, keep your dogs under control and do not camp except on designated sites. Enjoy your picnics. For information on the North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival please visit www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk For downloadable guided walk leaflets around North Devon and Exmoor visit www.combewalks.com
Published and written by Combe Walks
Copyright Š Bryan Cath, 2012
www.combewalks.com
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Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Picnic Spot location & reference number
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