Appledore to Westward Ho!

(Our overall day number 32 - Part of The KC3 ECP Leg 4b - Braunton to Hartland Quay)

Appledore to Westward Ho!

22nd May 2023 | Miles 4.4 | Elevation gain 92ft

A 4.4 mile walk, constituting our semi-rest day between two much more difficult days. Leaving Appledore, it's about a mile before the path finds its way to the Northam Burrows, and from here it's a great walk. It was low tide so, after an initial stretch along the grass, once we reached the headland, we walked along the beach all the way round to Westward Ho!
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Getting there and back
We walked from our accommodation to Westward Ho!, where we had left a car - although it's nearby, the trip between Appledore and Westward Ho! is complicated by bus and takes over 40 minutes.
Weather conditions
Sunny and warm - perfect for being on the beach!
Walking difficulty
Easy - flat and glorious beach (or dune) walking for most of the way

The story of our day in photos

Heading out westwards from Appledore
Over a little raised headland
Think we'll take the low tide route
Arriving after about a mile at the Northam Burrows
Heading out onto the Northam Burrows
Looking back towards the western edge of Appledore
Looking back towards Appledore from Grey Sand Hill
Heading around the point, with Braunton Burrows visible across the water
You've been warned
Heading down the fabulous stretch of beach on the north side of Northam Burrows
Looking back towards Appledore from the point below Grey Sand Hill
Guest walkers outpacing us along the northern side of the Burrows
The actual path is up on the higher land, we're on the beach, so will we get wet feet?
Round the point and starting the head south back towards Westward Ho!
Views across Bideford Bay towards Clovelly
Heading down the western side of the Burrows, Westward Ho! now visible
Since we'd followed the beach all the way round the point, we didn't know about the dog ban area ...
Back in Appledore, soldier bollards!
Useful links
Hocking Ice Cream Van, Bideford
Ice cream van in Bideford, a welcome refreshment and very cheery fellow
The Quay Inn, Instow
Pub near the ferry to Appledore, we popped in here at the end of our first day's walking, before catching the ferry back.
The Royal George, Appledore
We had dinner here on our first evening, good food with views over the water.
Waterside Cafe, near Braunton
Popped up on the path as we rounded a corner, an ideal stop for morning coffee on day 2.
Fremington Quay Cafe
We stopped here for ice cream and coffee here on the afternoon of our second day - it's around 4.5 miles to Instow from here
The Sundown Bar at the Commodore Hotel, Instow
A refreshing drink here at the end of a long day's walking, to while away some time before our dinner reservation in Instow. Think this is a pop up bar and pizza in the front car park of the hotel. The link is to the hotel itself, which we didn't visit.
The Boathouse Instow
Fabulous dinner here on the upstairs terrace in the early evening sunshine before catching the ferry back to Appledore. The food was delicious!
The Seagate Hotel, Appledore
Our dinner spot for Sunday Lunch on the evening of day 3 - we then returned on the evening of day 5 for fish and chips!
The Pig On The Beach, Westward Ho!
A quick pint here following our shorter walk on day 4 from Appledore to Westward Ho! We didn't eat here, as we were saving ourselves for pasties!
Bessy's Pasties, Westward Ho!
Fab bakery, pasties on the beachfront at Westward Ho! for lunch on day 4 after our walk from Appledore
Market Street Kitchen, Appledore
Afternoon tea with scones, clotted cream and jam in the delightful garden at the back of this cafe
The Beaver Inn, Appledore
Visited late afternoon on our semi-rest day 4, mainly for the crazy golf and cider!
The Flame Factory, Appledore
We had dinner here to finish off our semi-rest day 4, lovely pizzas and burgers, well worth a visit
Cafe Hartland, Hartland Point
Just a kiosk really, but incredibly welcome after 7.5 miles of upping and downing from Clovelly. More scones, cream and jam. The first and only refreshment stop on the stretch from Clovelly to Hartland Quay, so it's popular with SWCP walkers, mostly arriving around lunchtime - for timely service, it's a good idea to be the first arrival, not the last!
Hartland Quay Hotel
Some very welcome drinks here at the end of the walk from Clovelly on day 5!
The Red Lion, Clovelly
Just a quick stroll down the hill into Clovelly for a drink after picking up the car at the end of day 5. Then a tired climb back up the hill to the car park!
Appledore-Instow ferry
This ferry only runs for a couple of hours either side of high tide so it's important to check the timetable!
Clovelly Visitor Centre
Information about visiting Clovelly
South West Coast Path in North Devon
Link to the excellent South West Coast Path site, North Devon section, covering this stretch