Mortehoe village guide

Mortehoe is the village on the headland above Woolacombe: close enough for a short outing from the beach, but with a much older and quieter feel. It is the place to go when you want stone cottages, a proper church, a village pub and the start of the Morte Point coast path rather than another stretch of sand.

On foot, the most useful route from Woolacombe is north past Barricane Beach and Combesgate, then up towards the village. Treat it as roughly a mile with a real climb, not a flat promenade. Check the tide times if you are combining the walk with coves or rock-pooling on the way.

St Mary Magdalene, usually called St Mary's, is the one Mortehoe building to make time for. Historic England lists the church as Grade I and records fabric from the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, with a Norman chancel arch at its core. Inside, look up for the wagon roofs: the nave has an unceiled waggon roof with a moulded spine, while the aisles and transept include wagon roofs with carved bosses.

The church also has medieval and later details worth slowing down for, including carved bench ends, a de Tracy tomb, Selwyn Image work and decorative chancel features. Entry is normally free, but this is an active parish church, so check any notice at the door and step back if a service or private event is taking place.

The Chichester Arms is the main village pub, set in the centre of Mortehoe close to the church and coast-path lanes. Its own history says the building was once the vicarage before becoming a pub-hotel in 1820. For visitors, the useful point is simpler: it gives Mortehoe somewhere traditional to aim for after a walk or for a quieter evening away from Woolacombe's seafront.

Do not plan around old opening hours, menus or social posts. If a meal matters to your day, check the pub's current details directly before walking up or driving over.

Mortehoe is the cleanest starting point for the classic Morte Point walk. The National Trust route starts at Mortehoe village car park, follows the lane between the church and The Ship Aground towards the Coast Path, then heads onto open headland with Woolacombe Bay behind you and Atlantic grey seals sometimes close to shore.

If you only have a short window, visit the village and church, then walk a little way towards the headland for the view. If you have 1.5 to 2 hours and decent shoes, follow the full Morte Point walk guide. The route is short but exposed, rocky and more serious in wind or rain.

• From Woolacombe on foot: allow for a short but uphill walk from the north end of the village, passing the smaller coves before climbing into Mortehoe.
• By car: the approach roads are narrow in places and the village centre is compact, so use the council car park rather than trying to improvise parking on residential streets.
• Parking: North Devon Council lists Mortehoe car park at EX34 7DT with 89 bays and one disabled bay. It is the practical car park for the village, museum and Morte Point routes.
• For a wider plan: use the nearby beaches guide if you are combining Mortehoe with Barricane, Combesgate or the north end of Woolacombe Bay.

You will see different explanations for the name Mortehoe. Local visitor briefings often repeat the "stump of a hill" meaning, which fits the blunt headland shape, while North Devon Coast National Landscape links the "Morte" element to death and the long history of shipwrecks off the rocks. Either way, the name suits the place: high, exposed, old, and tied to the dangerous coast below.

This guide was checked on 7 July 2026. Pub opening times and food details change, so they are deliberately not stated here.

• Historic England: Church of St Mary Magdalene, Mortehoe for the Grade I listing, Norman arch and wagon-roof details.
• Morte Point walk guide — full route, timing and what to expect from Mortehoe car park to the headland.
• National Trust: Morte Point walk, seals and smugglers for the Mortehoe start point, route direction, terrain and seal context.
• North Devon Council: Mortehoe car park for the official car park location and bay count.
• The Chichester Arms for the pub building history and current direct-check source.
• North Devon Coast National Landscape: Woolacombe and Mortehoe for local landscape and name context.