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Hartland Point Tourist Information South West Coast Path Walking North Devon UK
The South West Coast Path includes dramatic coastal walking, and you'll find no better than here around Hartland Point. The three mile walk from Hartland Quay to Hartland Point, with views across to Lundy Island from Hartland Point is a must do for any visitor to the area.
Other attractions in and around Hartland include a selection of charming villages nestled in green valleys. Check out St Nectan's Church, nicknamed the Cathedral of North Devon, or enjoy superb gardens at Hartland Abbey and around the resored water mill at Docton Mill Gardens. Hartland Point and surrounds is the perfect coastal walking base, with easy access to Cornwall (you're on the edge of Devon here), and there's a very good small shipwreck museum here as well!
Hartland Abbey
Built in the 12th century, (1157) Hartland Abbey is still the family home of the Stucley family. It was a monastery for 400 years and was then passed down through the female line of this family. The story of Abbeys is also the story of Dissolution, and Hartland Abbey was actually the last one in the country to be Dissolved by Henry VIII. Hartland was given away by Henry to the Sergeant of his Wine Cellar at Hampton Court, Mr. William Abbot. The handdown then interestingly goes through the female line, and In 1583 the first of three heiresses, Prudence Abbot, married Andrew Luttrell of Dunster Castle in Somerset and the Abbey remained in that family for some 100 years. In 1704, the second heiress, Mary Luttrell married Paul Orchard. They remained through the 18th century until the third heiress, Anne Orchard, married George Buck and moved into the Abbey on the death of her brother in 1812. Hartland Abbey is still occupied by their descendants, the Stucley family.
Hartland Abbey is still marked by the work of the Augustinian canons who lived here from 1157-1539, especially the gardens. The woodland gardens however were not created until the 18th Century, and there are beautiful woodland walks on both sides of the Abbey, and walled gardens to view. If you love old gardens, you'll love Hartland Abbey! In the cloisters of the old Abbey, which later served as servants halls is a collection of historic documents dating back as early as 1160 and well worth a look. If you're interested in all things military then you'll be interested in the recently added collection of military models of the British County Yeomanry by a local craftsman. Also, for an insight into local Hartland history, there's a collection of local prints and photographs of Hartland in the past.
There's various nature themed quizzes for the kids, plus a selection of small animals such as donkeys Nutmeg, Bluebell and Snowdrop, the Black Welsh Mountain sheep and peacocks. In the kitchen garden the kids can learn how to grow vegetables and there's lots of winding paths in the woodland gardens for the kids to romp about! Opening Times for the House and Gardens are Weds, Thurs, Suns and Bank Holidays March 25 - Oct 2, plus Tues in July and August 2-5.30pm. Gardens and Grounds only are also open daily except Saturdays March 25 - Oct 2 and the Abbey is open at other times and dates for groups of over 20 people. Disabled access is limited to ground floor and basement incl. tea room, museum, document and photographic exhibition. We will carry wheelchairs up steps to the front door (too steep for a ramp). Cream teas and superb cakes are available on-site, plus you can picnic on the large green parking area adjacent to the house. Coaches need to pre-book and dogs need to be kept on leads.
Hartland Abbey, Hartland, Bideford, North Devon. EX39 6DT. Tel:+44 (0)1237 441264/234
Hartland Point, Coastal Walking, Beaches & Devon Gardens
Ready for dramatic coastal views along the South West Coast Path, and for absolutely glorious walking along the coast head to Hartland Point which has a large car park, so you can dump the car and you're away. To get to Hartland Point just follow the signs north from Hartland Vilalge.
The three mile walk between Hartland Point and Hartland Quay is probably one of the most beautiful walks you can undertake in Devon and on the Devon coast. Sublime magic in the extreme, along a challenging path with many ups and downs so very good clothing and footwear recommended. Start it from either end, as there are car parks at both Hartland Point and Hartland Quay. Starting at Hartland Quay, you might think you're in for an easy ride from the flat car park, but you move into some sharp up and down paths fairly quickly! To start with though, take time to observe the ruins of an old tower in Warren Field. This walk takes you slightly inland in parts through beautiful green valleys and you'll pass charming villages like Stoke. At the end of this three mile walk you'll reach Hartland Point and it's perched lighthouse. Here you'll find the best views of Lundy Island! Give yourself two hours for the whole walk.
Also well worth a look are Docton Mill Gardens in Spekes Valley. At the centre of the gardens is a charming resorted water mill, surround by orchards, lawns and gardens. This area of the North Devon coast really is a haven for garden lovers, found here at Docton Mill and the gardens at Hartland Abbey.
For the best beaches in the area head for Shipload Bay to the East of Hartland Point or walk to Speke's Mill Mouth where there is both a waterfall and a sandy beach when the tide is out! Most visitors to the area flock to Welcombe Mouth, an excellent beach which can be walked to via the narrow road taking you through Welcombe Village itself. Also further south is Marsland Beach. You're almost in Cornwall here! As a base, Hartland is grand for moving further south into Cornwall and for surfing around Bude.
Hartland Village and Hartland Quay
Hartland village is blessed with some rather good potteries, namely the Hartland (tel: 012378 441693) and the Springfield (tel: 01237 441506). Theres a choice of craft shops as well. Take time to visit St Nectans Church in Stoke, between Hartland Abbey and Hartland Quay. This church, which is most scenically set, is known as the Cathedral of North Devon. You can detour off to St Nectans Church during your walk from Hartland Quay to Hartland Point, or simply drive to it. Hartland Quay, where accommodation is available together with super pub lunches in the cosy Wreckers Retreat. Across the way from the Hotel there is a gift shop and a wonderful Shipwreck Museum
You can base yourself at Hartland Quay as there is accommodation available, or why not sample a superb pub lunch in the friendly Wreckers Retreat, perfect after a bracing coastal walk! Across the way from the Hotel there is a gift shop and the fascinating Shipwreck Museum or Hartland Quay museum. It's a small museum this, but fascinating nonetheless with a selection of photographs of ship rescues, and the history of shipwrecks and so forth off this stretch of North Devon Coast.
The two co-founders of the Shipwreck Museum had put together a few guides for coastal walking, listing and plotting shipwrecks on them. These guides are well worth purchasing and taking along on your Hartland Point walks, so see where many a ship has come a cropper off this rugged coastline.
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