Page 57 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

DRIVE 3: North Devon Coast and Exmoor 55

Above right The wooden-framed Pannier
9 Woolacombe skylarks and curlews can often be Market (1855), Barnstaple Left South West
Devon; EX34 7DL seen flying overhead. The site of Coast Path on the way to Mortehoe, Devon
Woolacombe’s beach, which stretches practice beach landings during World
for nearly 5 km (3 miles), is regularly War II, the dunes are still used by the EAT AND DRINK
voted one of the world’s best. Backed army for 10 days a year.
by dunes and washed by Atlantic ª Return on the same road, but take MORTEHOE
waves, the beach attracts surfers first right (unmarked narrow road) to Chichester Arms inexpensive
year round. Nick Thorn Surf School join A361 to Barnstaple. Park in Green Next to the church, this 16th-century
(www.nickthorn.com) offers lessons. Lanes Shopping Centre (signposted). pub was once the vicarage. It serves
Clamber over rocks at the north end good ales and food with a beer garden.
to Barricane Beach to hunt for shells q Barnstaple EX34 7DU; 01271 870 411; www.
washed here from the Caribbean. Devon; EX32 8LN chichesterarmsmortehoe.co.uk
Above the beach is a memorial to The town’s fortunes as a sea port have AROUND MORTEHOE
American forces who trained there declined since its heyday in the 18th The Quay expensive
for the D-Day landings in 1944. century but Barnstaple’s market still Artist Damien Hirst’s fish restaurant has
ª Follow signs along minor roads to bustles with life in the 150-year-old dining rooms facing harbour and sea.
Croyde. Then take B3231 towards timber-framed Pannier Market (open Take B3343 and turn left on A361 to
Braunton, turning right (opposite sign Mon–Sat). Nearby on Cross Street, the Ilfracombe; 11 The Quay, EX34 9EQ;
01271 868 090; www.11thequay.com
to Lobb) onto a narrow road to Antiques and Collectors Centre (closed
Braunton Burrows car park. Sun) is like an Aladdin’s cave crammed WOOLACOMBE
into a former church. On the riverside Red Barn inexpensive
0 Braunton Burrows Strand is the Museum of Barnstaple Lively bar-restaurant near the beach,
Braunton; EX33 2NU and North Devon (closed Sun) with an popular with surfers and families.
The Esplanade, EX34 7DF; 01271 870
Behind Saunton Sands, Braunton eccentric collection of local archae- 264; www.redbarnwoolacombe.co.uk
Burrows is the largest area of sand ology, natural history and crafts. The
dunes in England, stretching 6.5 km best views of the scenic Taw Estuary AROUND BRAUNTON BURROWS
(4 miles). With 500 species of wild can be enjoyed by cycling the Tarka Squire’s Fish Restaurant moderate
flowers and 33 of butterflies, the area Trail, along a stretch of old railway Best place in the area for classic fish and
is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific track. Hire bikes from Tarka Trail chips – large portions and top quality.
Exeter Road, Braunton, EX33 2JL;
Interest) and part of North Devon’s Cycle Hire (The Railway Station; 01271 01271 815 533; www.squiresfish
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Kestrels, 324 202; www.tarkabikes.co.uk). restaurant.co.uk
DAY TRIP OPTIONS Take the A358 north from Taunton and parks, off the A361, then follow signs to
There is a variety of great days out then left on the A39 to Washford. Mortehoe and park in the village.
based all around Exmoor.
Beaches and Coastal Trails Lorna Doone Country
West Somerset Railway Work up an appetite building sand- Visit the castle at Dunster 3, then
Start at Taunton 1 to see St Mary’s castles at Woolacombe 9, hike the climb Dunkery Beacon for views of
Church; then it’s on to Washford 2 South West Coast Path at Mortehoe Exmoor and follow the Lorna Doone
to visit Cleeve Abbey, before taking 8 and then indulge in a cream tea. Trail from Oare 5.
a trip on this preserved railway line Follow the B3343 to Woolacombe’s car Dunster and Oare are both off the A39.
through the Somerset countryside.

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