Things to do in Mortehoe with children
Mortehoe is a short walk or drive from Woolacombe and offers a genuinely different half-day for families who want a change of scene — a coastal village to explore and a National Trust headland beyond it. This guide covers what actually works with children and where to be realistic about terrain and access.
Starting out
What Mortehoe is and how to get there
Mortehoe is a small coastal village about a mile from Woolacombe, sitting above the headland where the coast turns towards Morte Point. It has a church, a pub (The Chichester Arms), a handful of shops and tea rooms, and the start of the coastal path out to the National Trust headland. It is compact enough to explore on foot from the car park in an hour or less.
You can walk from Woolacombe to Mortehoe — the route climbs steeply from the northern end of the village and is around a mile on a road with a pavement section. It is a real uphill push with a buggy, and the return is steep enough with tired legs to be more effort than it sounds. Most families with younger children drive to Mortehoe's own car park (pay-and-display, check current charges and capacity), explore the village, and then decide whether to attempt the headland.
For orientation and village history, see the Mortehoe village guide.
Village
The village stop: what children actually enjoy
For most families with primary-school-age and younger children, the village itself is the right scope for the day. The St Mary Magdalene Church (St Mary's) is a striking old building — even children who are not interested in churches often find the interior interesting for a few minutes. The tea rooms and pub both welcome families; check current opening hours for each as they vary by season and day of the week.
The village has a grassed area near the church that gives young children space to run around after a car journey. The shops in the village are small gift and ice cream shops typical of a North Devon coastal village — a useful stop on the way back to Woolacombe.
Realistic scope: the village can occupy 45 minutes to an hour comfortably for most families. Factor in the drive, parking and an ice cream stop, and this is a natural half-morning activity rather than a full-day trip.
The headland
Morte Point: terrain and realistic caveats
Morte Point is a National Trust headland accessible by footpath from Mortehoe — a dramatic rocky promontory with coastal views and the possibility of seeing grey seals from the clifftops in autumn and winter. The walk is genuinely beautiful. It is also genuinely unsuitable for a relaxed family day unless your children are old enough and capable enough for clifftop paths.
The path to Morte Point is around 1 mile each way on uneven, rocky clifftop terrain. There are no barriers at the cliff edge. The ground is rough and can be muddy after rain. It is not accessible by pushchair and is not suitable for toddlers without very close supervision — cliff edges and young children require constant direct contact and attention throughout. The seals are wildlife and their presence cannot be guaranteed or predicted.
The National Trust publishes a Morte Point walking route; check the current version for surface conditions and path status before going. Details of the circular route and the shorter coastal walk options are available on the National Trust website for the Woolacombe area. For other walking options that better suit younger children, see easy walks near Woolacombe and walks from Woolacombe.
If your children are ready for the headland: allow 1.5–2 hours for the return walk at a comfortable pace. Wear sturdy footwear — trainers are inadequate on wet rock. Keep children in close contact with an adult throughout. Do not approach cliff edges.
Honest boundary
When to stay in Woolacombe instead
Mortehoe is worth the trip for a change of scene. It is not the right choice if your primary goal is a family beach day (go to Woolacombe) or if your children are under around 5 and you want a coast walk (the headland path is genuinely not appropriate). The village stop is enjoyable as a complement to a beach day — drive up mid-morning after the beach, have an ice cream and a look around, and return for lunch — but it is not a standalone full-day destination for most families with young children.
If you want to combine Mortehoe with beach access, Combesgate Beach is at the foot of the cliff below Mortehoe — a small, rocky cove accessible via a steep path. It is not suitable for pushchairs and the path is a significant scramble; it is best attempted by families with older, sure-footed children in dry conditions. Check the current path condition before attempting it.
For beach safety guidance and cliff awareness, see Woolacombe beach safety.