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Heddon Valley walk

Follow the River Heddon through ancient oak woodland to a remote shingle cove tucked between towering cliffs — one of North Devon's most rewarding half-day walks.

The walk Heddon's Mouth Routes Hunter's Inn Wildlife Getting here

North Devon

A deep wooded gorge on the Exmoor coast

Heddon Valley is one of the finest river valley walks in North Devon. Managed by the National Trust, it cuts a dramatic course through steep wooded hillsides just east of Combe Martin, where the River Heddon drops from the moorland plateau of Exmoor all the way down to the sea. The valley is densely clothed in sessile oak, a rare and ancient habitat, and the path follows the river closely the whole way so you can hear the water almost continuously.

The destination is Heddon's Mouth, a small pebble beach squeezed between two high cliffs where the river finally meets the Atlantic. It is only reachable on foot, which means even in peak summer it stays quiet. The starting point for virtually every visitor is Hunter's Inn, a National Trust car park and pub at the valley floor about 1.5 miles inland from the sea.

The main route

Hunter's Inn to the coast and back

The walk from Hunter's Inn to Heddon's Mouth is straightforward and suitable for most visitors in decent footwear. From the car park, a well-maintained path follows the river downstream through woodland for approximately 1.5 miles. The going is mostly flat through the valley with only a short steeper section as you approach the coastal cliffs. Allow 40 to 60 minutes each way.

The path never strays far from the river, and there are several spots where you can stop to watch the water or let children paddle in the shallows. As the trees thin near the coast you get your first view of the clifftops rising sharply on either side, and then the path drops down to the beach.

Returning the same way takes the same amount of time. The total out-and-back walk is around 3 miles and takes two to three hours at an easy pace with time at the beach included.

  • Distance: approximately 1.5 miles each way (3 miles return)
  • Time: 40 to 60 minutes each way, 2 to 3 hours total
  • Difficulty: easy in the valley, mostly flat with one steeper coastal section
  • Start: Hunter's Inn National Trust car park
  • Suitable for families with older children in decent footwear

The beach

Heddon's Mouth — a remote pebble cove

Heddon's Mouth is a small shingle and pebble beach set between two headlands with cliffs rising steeply on all sides. It has a genuinely remote feel, even when the car park at Hunter's Inn is busy, because the walk filters out casual visitors. There are no facilities at the beach: no cafe, no toilets and no lifeguard.

The sea here faces open Atlantic and can carry significant swell, so it is not a reliable swimming spot. It is better suited to rockpooling along the wave-cut platform at the edges, or simply sitting and watching the waves. One of the most striking features is a small waterfall that drops down the cliff face near the beach, fed by a side stream descending from the valley above.

The River Heddon crosses the middle of the beach before entering the sea. At low tide you can often wade or step across it easily to explore both sides of the cove. The combination of cliffs, river and falling water makes it one of the most photogenic spots on the North Devon coast.

Going further

Circular routes and coast path extensions

If a there-and-back walk feels too simple, there are two ways to extend the day from Heddon's Mouth using the South West Coast Path.

Heading east from the beach, the coast path climbs steeply toward Peter Rock and eventually Great Hangman, at 244 metres one of the highest sea cliffs in England. This section is strenuous and exposed with significant height gain, and is best suited to confident walkers with good footwear and a reasonable level of fitness. The rewards are exceptional views back along the Exmoor coast toward Combe Martin and beyond.

Heading west from Heddon's Mouth, the coast path climbs to Trentishoe Down with an option to loop back over the ridge on a circular route of approximately 5 miles in total. This is also strenuous and should not be underestimated, particularly in wet or windy conditions when the exposed ridge path can be challenging.

For most families and casual walkers, the valley path to the beach and back is the right choice. If you want to explore more of this stretch of coastline, see our full guide to North Devon coastal walks.

The starting point

Hunter's Inn — car park, pub and tearoom

Hunter's Inn is the practical base for the Heddon Valley walk. The National Trust car park here is the only realistic place to leave a car for this walk, and parking charges apply. The inn itself is an old coaching house with a pleasant garden and serves food and drinks during the season, making it a good option for lunch or a drink after the walk. It is worth checking opening times before you go as they vary through the year.

The approach to Hunter's Inn is down a steep, narrow lane that can be difficult for larger vehicles and is not suitable for coaches. Take care on the descent, especially when meeting oncoming traffic on blind bends. If possible, arrive outside the busiest weekend hours in July and August when the car park can fill quickly.

What to look for

Wildlife in the valley

The combination of clean, fast-flowing river and ancient oak woodland makes Heddon Valley one of the better places in North Devon to spot river birds. Dippers are regularly seen bobbing on rocks in the shallower sections of the river, and grey wagtails work the margins year-round. The woodland holds a good variety of common birds, with late spring the best time for birdsong when the canopy is still opening and visibility through the trees is at its best.

Red deer are occasionally seen on the upper valley slopes, particularly in autumn during the rut when stags can sometimes be heard calling across the hillside. Otters have been recorded in the valley but sightings are rare and depend largely on timing and patience.

In late spring, the woodland floor carries carpets of bluebells and wild garlic before the tree canopy closes over and the light at ground level fades for the summer.

Planning your visit

Getting to Heddon Valley from Woolacombe

Heddon Valley is around 35 to 40 minutes by car from Woolacombe. The most direct route goes via the A3123 through Combe Martin; from there the valley is signposted down a narrow lane to Hunter's Inn. There is no practical public transport option for this walk, so a car is needed. See our getting to Woolacombe guide for broader directions around the North Devon area.

After the walk, Combe Martin village is only about 5 miles east along the coast road and has a good choice of pubs and cafes for lunch, as well as the Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park for families. It makes a natural pairing for a full day out from Woolacombe.

Heddon Valley also pairs well with a broader exploration of the area. See also:

North Devon coastal walks Day trips from Woolacombe Getting here