Heddon Valley
Heddon Valley lies within Exmoor National Park on the north Devon coast, sheltered between high wooded hillsides that fall steeply towards the Bristol Channel. It is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled small valleys in southwest England, a place where ancient oak woodland, clear rivers and dramatic coastal scenery combine within a compact landscape that rewards exploration on foot. The valley follows the course of the River Heddon as it descends from the Exmoor plateau through dense sessile oak woodland before meeting the sea at Heddon's Mouth, a secluded rocky cove accessible only on foot. The oak woodland clothing the valley sides is ancient and ecologically rich, a remnant of the native woodland that once covered much of this coastline. The trees support an intricate community of lichens, mosses and ferns that flourish in the valley's moist, sheltered microclimate, and the dappled light through the oak canopy creates an atmosphere of genuine wildness even in high summer. The National Trust manages most of the valley and has developed a network of well-maintained footpaths that allow walkers to explore at their own pace. The main valley walk follows the River Heddon downstream from the car park at Heddon's Gate, passing through old coppiced woodland and across wooden footbridges to reach the shore. The round trip to Heddon's Mouth and back takes around two hours at a comfortable pace and is suitable for most walkers. More ambitious walkers can continue from the valley along sections of the South West Coast Path, which runs along the clifftop above. The coastal section between Heddon's Mouth and Combe Martin to the east, or toward Lynton to the west, is among the most dramatic walking on the entire South West Coast Path. The cliffs here are among the highest on the English coast, and the views across the Bristol Channel towards South Wales can be exceptional on a clear day. The Hunter's Inn, a Victorian hunting lodge converted to a hotel and pub, sits at the valley bottom near the car park and provides welcome refreshments after a walk. A small population of fallow deer can sometimes be spotted in the woodland, and kingfishers have been recorded along the river. The valley also provides habitat for pied flycatchers, wood warblers and other summer migrants that arrive to breed in the oak woodland. Heddon Valley is close to the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth, which together offer the extraordinary cliff railway, several good cafés and excellent access to the broader Exmoor National Park landscape.