Welcombe Mouth
I have fond memories of stumbling upon the amazing coastal gem of Welcombe Mouth. I discovered this coastal valley quite by chance on one of my numerous travels.
As I sauntered slowly down the A39 towards Bude in my trusty van I decided to take the signpost towards Welcombe Meandering, narrow roads seemed to continue for what seemed an eternity , before I arrived ,at what I can only say resembled an old unmade track.
As I sauntered slowly down the A39 towards Bude in my trusty van I decided to take the signpost towards Welcombe Meandering, narrow roads seemed to continue for what seemed an eternity , before I arrived ,at what I can only say resembled an old unmade track.
Turning into the narrow lane with my van, I negotiated all the pits and bumps and I wondered where on earth I was going to end up!!! I turned the final bend and I was greeted with the most spectacular panorama.
As I surveyed this picturesque scene I could see a wild and rugged, secluded beach, with the most fascinating geology, enveloped by high, rocky cliffs Reminiscent of curtains hanging either side of a picture window.
This superb beach is very popular with experienced surfers and its delightful
surroundings has a compelling sense of magnetism which has drawn me back
to its clutches numerous times. Its raw atmosphere and the feeling of serenity
that encapsulates you when you are there is truly remarkable.
Welcombe Mouth with its car park (SS 213181) is situated at the bottom of a
valley and is encased by coastal heaths, bracken covered cliff tops and a stream.
As I surveyed this picturesque scene I could see a wild and rugged, secluded beach, with the most fascinating geology, enveloped by high, rocky cliffs Reminiscent of curtains hanging either side of a picture window.
This superb beach is very popular with experienced surfers and its delightful
surroundings has a compelling sense of magnetism which has drawn me back
to its clutches numerous times. Its raw atmosphere and the feeling of serenity
that encapsulates you when you are there is truly remarkable.
Welcombe Mouth with its car park (SS 213181) is situated at the bottom of a
valley and is encased by coastal heaths, bracken covered cliff tops and a stream.
The winding stream flows through the valley and plunges abruptly over the cliff edge to cascade into a waterfall which gushes
powerfully over the large pebbles onto the beach.
The surge of the water has a soothing quality which is both peaceful and mesmerizing.
It surges downbetween the long, boney strips of gnarled rock and eventually merges with the sea.
The beach is a carpet of pebbles revealing a small, golden, sandy
beach when the tide is low interspersed with rock pools It is surrounded
by grey, jagged outcrops of stone that are engrained with the ravages of time and are fascinatingly reptilian in appearance giving an almost
Jurassic feel and were formed over 320 million years ago.
Welcombe Mouth is home to a diverse selection of plants and wildlife
and thus its not surprising that it is part of the Marsland to Clovelly
SSSI (Site of Special, Scientific Interest) and is home to many specialist
plants, as well as being on the edge of the AONB (Area of Outstanding Beauty) and is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.The expanse of wild plants and animals is abundant for all to see and is popular with walkers and wildlife enthusiasts
The twisty stream which flows through the valley can be traversed by
large stepping stones and is scattered with plants such as Star Sedge, Bog
Pondweed and Water Horsetail and is a massive explosion of colour during the Spring and Summer months. Whilst the surrounding heath land is residence to South Marsh Orchid, Wavy Leaved St John’s Wort and Marsh Violet.
beach when the tide is low interspersed with rock pools It is surrounded
by grey, jagged outcrops of stone that are engrained with the ravages of time and are fascinatingly reptilian in appearance giving an almost
Jurassic feel and were formed over 320 million years ago.
Welcombe Mouth is home to a diverse selection of plants and wildlife
and thus its not surprising that it is part of the Marsland to Clovelly
SSSI (Site of Special, Scientific Interest) and is home to many specialist
plants, as well as being on the edge of the AONB (Area of Outstanding Beauty) and is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.The expanse of wild plants and animals is abundant for all to see and is popular with walkers and wildlife enthusiasts
The twisty stream which flows through the valley can be traversed by
large stepping stones and is scattered with plants such as Star Sedge, Bog
Pondweed and Water Horsetail and is a massive explosion of colour during the Spring and Summer months. Whilst the surrounding heath land is residence to South Marsh Orchid, Wavy Leaved St John’s Wort and Marsh Violet.
The rambling heathlands and cliff tops offer a hospitable habitat to many wild animals.An abundance of Dragonflies,
Damselflies and up to 34 species of Butterfly can be seen
fluttering gracefully through their bountiful hinterland.
Buzzards ascend the skies above whilst curlews, meadow pipits and skylarks can be seen and heard scavenging and scurrying through the heath lands and the distinctive call of the stone chat can be heard echoing in the distance.
Sea birds such as Guillemots and Gannets are seen hovering in the breezy skies and Gulls let out their all familiar cry.
Damselflies and up to 34 species of Butterfly can be seen
fluttering gracefully through their bountiful hinterland.
Buzzards ascend the skies above whilst curlews, meadow pipits and skylarks can be seen and heard scavenging and scurrying through the heath lands and the distinctive call of the stone chat can be heard echoing in the distance.
Sea birds such as Guillemots and Gannets are seen hovering in the breezy skies and Gulls let out their all familiar cry.
The exposed cliff tops are worth clambering up,to experience the miraculous views which you will encounter.
Not only is there a spectacular vista looking out over the beach but far reaching views towards Bude in one direction and Hartland in the other.
The energy of the pounding Atlantic Ocean can be heard reverberating against the cliffs below and the wind feels refreshingly revitalizing against your skin.
This innate jewel is a setting of pure beauty. Isolated and remote it is totally compelling and once visited the wealth of opportunity and discovery is all consuming.
The rare ambiance of peace and serenity is hard to find but I can guarantee you will find it here and thus one of
the reasons for it being one of my favourite places.
Not only is there a spectacular vista looking out over the beach but far reaching views towards Bude in one direction and Hartland in the other.
The energy of the pounding Atlantic Ocean can be heard reverberating against the cliffs below and the wind feels refreshingly revitalizing against your skin.
This innate jewel is a setting of pure beauty. Isolated and remote it is totally compelling and once visited the wealth of opportunity and discovery is all consuming.
The rare ambiance of peace and serenity is hard to find but I can guarantee you will find it here and thus one of
the reasons for it being one of my favourite places.
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