This is a great little beach near to Combe Martin in North Devon.
Only problem is the walk to it, quite a stiff climb to the cliff top, and then down the pathway to the beach, but well worth the effort.
Park in the main Car Park at Combe Martin, and follow the signs to Hangman Hill, after reaching the top of your climb, past a shelter, and through a gateway, then bear (or bare) left down a narrow pathway.
This pathway zigzags down to the beach, usually by the time I reach the bottom I've divested myself of any clothes.
There is sand and rocks, giving shelter from any breezes.
The water is good for swimming, but don't venture too far out unless you are a strong swimmer, the currents can be strong.
It is possible that you can be overlooked from the top of the cliff, but it is so far away that binoculars are needed.
Visited this beach for the first time this current year.
Regretably the steps have been washed away by the winter seas, but there is a rope fitted to assist scramble down and up.
In spite of this I spent a great three hours in warm sunshine today.
Don
It's a shame about the steps Don. I take it they were were just cut into the land & not properly constructed!
But on a positive note you get to do a bit of mountaineering as well as relaxing in the sunshine. 🙂
Tony
I should be passing Wild Pear next Tuesday on the first afternoon of a walk over 4 days (returning home on Friday pm) from Heddons Mouth to Barnstaple. My brother and I started walking the Southwest Coat Path from Minehead last year.
I suspect that we won't really have time to stop, and the sea isn't warm enough yet to act as a further temptation. Still I'll keep it in mind.
John
The steps were reasonably well constructed, in fact various sets of steps have been hit by the weather over the years, including concrete ones, which do partially remain in evidence.
The last ones can be seen in photos on the albums page
Don
John, will this be a naturist walk, or clothed?
Don
Thanks for the Pics Don. It's a shame they keep getting washed away, but I guess that one drawback to beatifull coastlines.
I'm not sure I would get back up. After a few hours in the sun on Brighton beach, it takes a lot of effort to climb back up the pebbles to the pathway for me. 😕
Tony
John, will this be a naturist walk, or clothed?
Don
Don this will be a clothed walk. We normally go for 3/4 days every spring. My brother isn't a naturist, and I've not yet got the confidence to walk that way routinely for miles, although left to my own devices I'd probably try going nude in any seemingly quite sections. Since I've become interested in naturism over the last three years, I tend to mentally review the walks as to where we could have been clothes free without problems, and where it might not have been feasible.
John
Sorry to report the rope has disappeared, so although there is access to this great little beach. it is a little hazardous if you aren't sure footed.
Don
I didn't see any obvious way down to the beach when we passed it a little over a month ago on our walk, but that said we didn't stop for a better look.
John