b&b north devon, bed and breakfast, north cornwall, coastal path, accommodation, welcombe marsland mouth, hartland peninsula, fishing walking birdwtching

The wide expanse of Saunton Sands, which takes its name from Saunton, merges into Braunton Burrows, the largest sand dune system (psammosere) in England and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is particularly important ecologically because it includes the complete successional range of dune plant communities, with over 400 vascular plant species. The short turf communities are very rich in lichens and herbs, and the dune slacks are also rich. The many rare plants and animals include 14 with UK Biodiversity Action Plans.

From Braunton Burrows the South West Coast Path turns inland following the north bank of the River Taw towards Braunton, then turns east past the perimeter of the Royal Marines Base Chivenor towards Barnstaple where the new Barnstaple Western Bypass now forms the closest bridge over the Taw to the sea. After crossing medieval Barnstaple Long Bridge, the path then turns west following a disused railway line along southern bank of the Taw past Fremington to Instow at the joint estuary of the Rivers Taw and Torridge. The ferry which used to operate at Instow ceased on the retirement of the ferryman in 2007, so the path now goes upstream to cross the river by the 13th century bridge at Bideford, which is the site of the Bideford Railway Heritage Centre and terminus of the North Devon Railway.

The path continues north beside the Torridge Estuary past Northam to Appledore and around the promontory past the Shell middens and a submerged forest, that dates from the Mesolithic period, off the pebble ridge to Westward Ho! (this is the only placename in the UK which includes an exclamation mark). The path then follows the coast around Clovelly Bay where several small villages including Abbotsham lie inland, because of the cliffs. Clovelly itself is a historic village with a small natural harbour. The path continues on to Hartland Point which marks the western limit (on the English side) of the Bristol Channel with the Atlantic Ocean to the west. There is a winter helicopter service from Hartland Point to the island of Lundy, which is visible from many points along the path between Welcombe and the Cornish border.

The path crosses into Cornwall at Marsland Mouth and continues south-westwards along this rocky coast, past Morwenstow then Higher and Lower Sharpnose Points. Beyond Sandy Mouth, the walking becomes easier through Bude, a popular surfing resort, and along Widemouth Bay. Returning to the cliffs, the path continues on to Crackington Haven, where the "High Cliff" at 735 feet (224 m) is Southern Britain's highest sheer-drop cliff, and from there to Boscastle, the scene of flooding in 2004.

Tintagel and its castle are associated with the conception of the legendary King Arthur and also said to be the site of the classic example of a Celtic monastery; and a 15th century house that was later used as a post office. The path continues to Trebarwith Strand, Port Gaverne, Port Isaac, and Port Quin, each a small harbour. Overlooking Port Quin is Doyden Castle, a 19th century folly.

The scenery is now less wild, the cliffs less high. Rumps Point has Iron Age defences across its narrow neck but the path heads straight past to Pentire Head then swings eastwards again into Polzeath. The estuary of the River Camel forces a detour away from the sea to the ferry that takes walkers into Padstow, a town now best known for its fish restaurants.