Westward Ho! - a short walk using the South West Coast Path



Short Walks (up to one day) Suitable for Heritage Suitable for Scenery
Walk name: Westward Ho!
: Westward Ho!
Finish location: Westward Ho!
Distance: 1 miles (2km)
Grade Easy
Terrain This 1 mile long section of old railway line was improved in 2005 to make it possible for the elderly, very young and wheelchair users to experience this scenic part of the Coast Path.

To check that this walk is suitable for you click here where you can find additional mapping and photographs showing gradients, path surfaces, and other detailed information.

Circular Walk: No
Free from obstacles & steep gradients: Yes

Walk description:

The path starts at the car park at the western end of Westward Ho!, and heads westwards along an old railway line. This railway was part of the short lived Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway which was opened in 1901 and closed in 1917 when its rolling stock was requisitioned for the war effort.

The first half of the walk has a tarmac finish, resulting in a smooth hard surface very safe for children, elderly walkers, pushchairs and wheelchairs. The second part has a hoggin surface and is left unsealed, yet it is still relatively smooth and safe and very user-friendly.

On this section there are great views northwards across to the rolling surf breaking on Braunton Sands and Baggy Point beyond. As the path swings south, a new view opens up across Bideford Bay to Clovelly and the cliffs near Hartland Point.

The walk ends at a viewpoint, where the old railway turns inland (and is private) and the Coast Path descends down to Green Cliff and beyond.

Work is planned to improve the access along Westward Ho! seafront, provide further seating along the route, safe viewing points and specialist sensory interpretation providing information for sighted and partially sighted visitors.

Public transport information:
You can reach Westward Ho! by bus service no 1 every ½ hour from Barnstaple and Bideford. For details visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 2233
Toilets:
Westward Ho! (disabled) at start / end of walk
Nearest Car parks:
Westward Ho!(Postcode for Sat Navs: EX39 1LQ)
Nearest refreshments:
There are a number of cafes in Westward Ho!
Further Information:
More information on the area can be obtained from Bideford Tourist Information Centre on 01237 477676
OS Explorer Map number: 139 or 126


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PICTURE: Walkers on the Coast Path near Westward Ho!
Walkers on the Coast Path near Westward Ho!

Click to enlarge
Click map to enlarge This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. The Countryside Agency. Licence Number: 100018881
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  • Abbotsham and Westward Ho!Abbotsham and Westward Ho!
  • Distance: 6 miles (9km)
  • Walk description: Follow in the footsteps of authors Charles Kingsley and Rudyard Kipling and take in the spectacular views of the Westward Ho! coastline.
  • View details »
  • Kingsley, Kipling and a Horizontal Cliff RailwayKingsley, Kipling and a Horizontal Cliff Railway
  • Distance: 6 miles (10km)
  • Walk description: Westward Ho! is on the western edge of the town of Northam. It sits between the vast open area of Northam Burrows, situated where the Taw and Torridge rivers meet the sea, and the cliffs which rise to the west and lead to Devon's north western extremity, Hartland Point.
  • View details »
  • Appledore, Northam and the BurrowsAppledore, Northam and the Burrows
  • Distance: 7 miles (10km)
  • Walk description: North of Bideford a peninsula of land juts out between the sea and the estuary of the River Torridge. Being something of a cul-de-sac, the area has a real character of its own.
  • View details »


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