Buck's Mills & Peppercombe Circular

Terrain difficulty: Moderate - undulating coastal path, several short climbs

Ease of navigation: Easy-Moderate - some footpaths are poorly signed

Animal Dangers :Low - majority woodland paths & lanes

North Devon Walk

Route

Park in the small car park on the road leading down to Buck's Mills from the A39. This is a small car park with a narrow entrance, not suitable for large vehicles. Turn right out of the car park and head down through the village towards the slipway. Just before the slipway we will take the coast path on the right towards Peppercombe. However, it is worth noting where the path is then continuing on towards the slipway to enjoy the view of the beach and see the old Lime Kiln and waterfall here.

Return the coast path and head uphill behind the houses, enjoying the fine views of the coast as you reach the top of the hill. The footpath forks, take the left hand fork to stay on the coast path towards Gauter Pool. Continue in the path through Worthygate Wood, past the pool, onwards to Sloo Wood. From the Pool it is approx 1.7km to Peppercombe so follow the well worn coast path onwards. As you head steeply downhill into Peppercombe you can see the remains of Peppercombe Castle well hidden in the undergrowth to the right of the path.

As you come down to the track a footpath through a field left takes you to the beach if you wish to cool off. It's also worth taking a look at the Swiss Cottage in the field to the left, very cool!

To continue the walk from Peppercombe Castle ignore the path to the beach and follow the gravel track around to the right, heading uphill. At a fork of path's take the right hand path to head up a gravel drive towards the Old Coastguard Cottages which are now National Trust holiday cottages.

Continue to follow this path uphill through the woods (can be very wet in winter). At the top pass through the gate to walk up past some houses on the right coming out by the pub. Cross diagonally over the A39 looking for the footpath on the opposite side of the road. Follow the footpath behind a couple of houses up to a track. Continue straight on to the end of the track and follow the footpath downhill towards the trees at the bottom left of the field. At the bottom turn right over a stile onto another track and follow the footpath right across the bottom of the hill. Turn left and cross a steam in a small stand of trees and then turn right onto another footpath. Follow this up to the corner of lane. Turn right onto the lane and at a crossroads of 4 lanes turn right.

Head sharply uphill here and at a fork turn right to follow the track. There is no sign here but it is a right of way. Follow the lane for 1km ignoring turnings on the right then the left. You will come out onto the A39. Cross the road and head up the lane opposite. Just before the lane kicks sharply uphill turn left onto a footpath towards the farm at Lower Worthgate.

Follow the footpath across two field to the farm and in the farm take the left-hand fork of footpaths across a field and into the woods which lead you downhill back to Bucks Mills by the car park.

 

Open Space Web-Map builder Code