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South West Coast Path Walking Holiday
Somerset and Devon
Minehead to Barnstaple
11 nights and 10 days walking
Minehead, Somerset
South West Coast Path Walking Holiday
Itinerary in Somerset and Devon from Minehead to Barnstaple 12 days
South West Coast Path Walking holiday
on the UK’s South West Coast Path in Somerset and Devon
from Minehead to Barnstaple, with optional trip to Lundy.
11 nights and 10 days walking
Enjoy a 68 mile self-guided South West Coast Path walking holiday on the first section of the South West Coast Path from Minehead to Barnstaple, luggage transfer included.
The terrain is varied from Exmoor sweeping down to the sea, to the long beaches at Woolacombe.
We are based in the South West of England and all our team have detailed local knowledge of the whole of the South West Coast Path.
We don’t expect you to do the whole walking trail in one holiday!
Take your time and enjoy the scenery and wildlife.
Our self-guided walking holidays are designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind and can be tailor-made to your own personal requirements.
The routes are clearly way-marked to provide reassurance on your hiking vacation.
We use a selection of guest houses, inns or small hotels with en-suite or private bathroom to ensure you are well rested each night after a busy day hiking and sightseeing. Rest assured that all our accommodation walking holiday providers are hand-picked and offer you that famous British hospitality.
Special diets can be catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.
We organize the luggage transfer so your bags are at your next accommodation when you arrive. We try to get your bags delivered by 4pm, but this may be delayed due to road conditions.
Let’s Go Walking has developed one of the largest selection of walking holidays.
Our offices are staffed 9am to 9pm during our walking season (March to September) to ensure your walking holiday runs without a hitch.
All our walking holidays are self-guided and you must be a confident map reader and able to navigate from a compass bearing. The weather in the UK and Ireland can change quickly effecting visibility and underfoot conditions. It is important to carry a selection of clothing with you on your hike each day to cope with changing weather conditions. If you are not confident of completing any days walk, do not set out.
This walking holiday in the UK operates March to September and in either direction.
The daily distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too.
Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages.
Rest days can be taken in any location.
Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of the UK or Ireland. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers.
Online booking available.
A deposit of £85 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure.
Optional extra days and accommodation upgrades can be added during the booking process online.
Please wait for the confirmation of your holiday before making final travel plans just in case your holiday is not available for your requested date.
Features:
boat trip to Lundy (optional)
Exmoor National Park
This route connects with:
South West Coast Path Barnstaple to Bude
Somerset Coast Path
Coleridge Way
Tarka Trail
Macmillan Way West
Two Moors Way
South West Coast Path Walking Holiday
in Somerset and Devon
Minehead to Barnstaple
11 nights and 10 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Minehead
You make your own way to Minehead for the start of your walking holidayon the South West Coast Path. We can assist with coach transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of your self-guided walking holiday on The South West Coast Path.
Optional Day in Minehead
Day 2: Minehead to Porlock 8 miles Moderate
Walking from Minehead on the South West Coast Path you go through Exmoor National Park with stunning views of Porlock Bay and a chance to see Exmoor ponies. You will find old limekilns on Bossington Beach where the salt marsh provides a good birdwatching area. The South West Coast Path connects with the Coleridge Way in Porlock.
Optional day at the Porlock
Day 3: Porlock to County Gates 8 miles Moderate
Continuing through Exmoor National Park the South West Coast Path moves from Somerset into Devon. The path zigzags through woods, valleys and farms, across streams and rivers, and throughand through Devon’s most northerly headland.
Day 4: County Gates to Lynmouth 6 miles Moderate
Continuing through Exmoor National Park the South West Coast Path is now in devono Devon. Todays walk is mostly down hill and on clear day great views can be had over the Bristol Channel to Wales. Lynmouth is a interesting town with its famous water powered Cliff Railway and interesting Lyn Gorge museum The South West Coast Path connect with the Two Moors Way in Lynmouth.
Day 5: Lynmouth to Heddons Mouth 7 miles Strenuous
You can take the Cliff Railway from Lynmouth up to Lynton. Then an easy walk along the South West Coast Path through the Valley of the Rocks, to Lee Bay and Woody Bay. The Valley of the Rocks is famous for its wild goats. There are a couple of deep valleys, a skirt around Heddon’s Mouth Cleave.
Day 6: Heddons Mouth to Combe Martin 6 miles Strenuous
You start todays walk from Heddon’s Mouth Cleave, and an ascent of Great Hangman, the highest point of the South West Coast Path at 318 metres (1043 ft in old money!). Combe Martin is an interesting little seaside town with a selection of shops, pubs and resturants.
Day 7: Combe Martin to Ilfracombe 5 miles Strenuous
Walking on the South West Coast Path from Combe Martin you pass Watermouth with its sandy estuary and boat yard. The walking trail then climbs over the headland past Samson’s Bay and Hele Bay to Ilfracombe, with its quaint Devon fishing harbour and sandy beaches. In season ferries offer trips to the Island of Lundy.
Optional Day to visit Lundy, overnight Ilfracombe
Lundy, an island 3 1/2 miles long and 1/2 mile wide, lies off the north Devon coast and is a wildlife and walkers haven. Day return aboard MS Oldenburg. Sailings are approximately 3 times per week. Your holiday can be arranged to coincide with sailing.
Day 8: Ilfracombe to Woolacombe 7 miles Strenuous
From Ilfracombe you walk through Torrs Park and on to Lee Bay. Walking to the lighthouse at Bull Point the South West Coast Path passes through a couple of small valleys. At Morte Point the long sandy beach of Woolacombe comes into view.
Day 9: Woolacombe to Saunton 7 miles Easy
From Woolacombe you walk past the stunning Woolacombe Sands this whole area is a mecca for surfers and walkers. Then over Baggy Point to Saunton with its stunning beach and views to River Taw & Torridge Estuary.
Day 10: Saunton to Braunton 8 miles Easy
The South West Coast Path crosses the dunes and on to Saunton Downs. Walking on past Braunton Burrows with its sand dunes and wildlife. Now following the wide Taw estuary the whole area is full of birdlife.
Day 11: Braunton to Barnstaple 6 miles Easy
From Braunton the South West Coast follows the River Taw with its wide mud flats the whole area is full of birdlife. The trail passes Chivenor Airfield and the Royal Marine Barracks before reach the interesting large town of Barnstaple.
Optional Day in Barnstaple
Day 12: Depart after breakfast
Depart after breakfast or extend your holiday and spend some time in the area.
We can transfer you to your car or you can depart by train or bus.
South West Coast Path Terrain Grading
Easy: flat or undulating terrain
Moderate: a few ups and downs, the section requiring more effort than an easy section. For example, a section of 9 miles can require the amount of effort needed for 12 miles.
Strenuous: many ups and downs, the section requiring more effort than a moderate section. For example, a section of 9 miles can require the amount of effort needed for 15 miles.
Severe: many steep climbs, the section requiring twice the amount of effort as an easy section. For example, a section of 9 miles can require the amount of effort needed for 18 miles.
Minehead to Barnstaple
in England UK
12 day itinerary
10 days walking and 11 nights
Suggested Itinerary
| Day 1: | arrive Minehead | ||
| Optional Day: | optional extra day in Minehead | ||
| Day 2: | Minehead to Porlock | 8 miles | moderate |
| Day 3: | Porlock to County Gate | 8 miles | moderate |
| Day 4: | County Gate to Lynmouth | 6 miles | moderate |
| Optional Day: | optional day in Lynmouth | ||
| Day 5: | Lynmouth to Heddons Mouth | 7 miles | strenuous |
| Day 6: | Heddons Mouth to Combe Martin | 6 miles | strenuous |
| Day 7: | Combe Martin to Ilfracombe | 5 miles | strenuous |
| Optional Day: | optional extra day in Ilfracombe to visit Lundy (depending on ferry timetable) | ||
| Optional Day: | optional day in Ilfracombe | ||
| Day 8: | Ilfracombe to Woolacombe | 7 miles | strenuous |
| Day 9: | Woolacombe to Saunton | 7 miles | easy |
| Day 10: | Saunton to Braunton | 8 miles | easy |
| Day 11: | Braunton to Barnstaple | 6 miles | easy |
| Optional Day: | optional extra day in Barnstaple | ||
| Day 12: | depart Barnstaple |
12 day itinerary 11 nights
| Double or Twin Occupancy | Single Occupancy travelling with others | Solo Traveller |
|
| 2025 | £1,419 | £2,288 | £2,508 |
All prices subject to change
Extra nights from £64.00 per person
depending on location
Extra night in Ilfracombe and day trip to Lundy from £118.00 per person
Optional Accommodation Upgrades for
South West Coast Path Walking Holiday
Minehead to Barnstaple
Can be added when booking online
Subject to availability Supplement per person per night
Minehead
Northfield Hotel
double/twin
£49.00
single
please ask
Lynmouth
Rising Sun Hotel
double/twin
£53.00
single
please ask
Rock House Hotel
£44.00
please ask
Heddons Mouth
Hunters Inn
double/twin
£25.00
single
please ask
Hunters Inn superior room
£38.00
please ask
If you would like to stay at Hunters Inn in Heddons Mouth, we can revise the itinerary so that this is an overnight stop.
Ilfracombe
Laston House
double/twin
£12.25
single
please ask
Olive Branch
£13.25
please ask
Osborne Hotel
£12.25
please ask
Croyde
Saunton Sands Hotel
double/twin
£139.00
single
please ask
Barnstaple
Imperial Hotel
double/twin
£86.00
single
please ask
Park Hotel
£86.00
please ask
Royal & Fortesque Hotel
£75.00
please ask
Yeo Dale Hotel
£43.00
please ask
The Woolacombe Marathon will take place along the South West Coast Path in Woolacombe on Sunday 29th June 2025.
This affects your enjoyment of the South West Coast Path in North Devon in the area of Woolacombe.
Therefore when booking your walking holiday on South West Coast Path or Tarka Trail in North Devon we suggest you avoid this date.
What’s included
in your South West Coast Path Walking Holiday in UK
- accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
- daily luggage transfer
- support should there be any problems on route
- detailed itineraries
- guide book
- Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps
Optional Extras
for your South West Coast Path Walking Holiday in UK
- upgrade to the region’s most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
- transfers back to car or station
- parking facilities
- rest days
- inn to inn walks
- day trip to Lundy
What’s not included
in your South West Coast Path Walking Holiday in UK
- lunches and dinners
- travel insurance
Lunches and Dinners
These are not included.
Evening meals
These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village.
Packed lunches
These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route.
South West Coast Path Walking Holiday
Minehead to Barnstaple:
How to get there:
- By Plane to Bristol where we can arrange transfer to Minehead
- By Car to Minehead where parking is available
- By Train to Taunton where we can arrange transfer to Minehead
- By Bus to Minehead
A 630 mile walking route which starts in Minehead in Somerset, goes through Devon and Cornwall and finishes in South Haven Point in Dorset. This forms part of the England Coast Path.
This is one of our Coastal Walking Holidays in UK and Ireland, one of our Cornwall and Bodmin Moor Walking Holidays, one of our Devon and Dartmoor Walking Holidays, one of our Dorset and Jurassic Coast Walking Holidays, one of our Somerset and Exmoor Walking Holidays, and also one of our National Trail Walking Holidays.
Holiday Travel Insurance
We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let’s Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following:
cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, and any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays.
This is in addition to our existing
booking conditions.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Our telephone Lines are open 7 days a week.
UK +44 (0)1837 880075
or +44 (0)207 193 1252
March to September 9am to 9pm
October to February 9am to 5pm
US +1 (646) 233-1541
New York 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182
Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time:
March to September 7pm to 7am EADT
October to February 7pm to 3am EADT
CAN +1 (647) 4786251
Toronto 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
or
We have Coastal Walking Holidays in the UK in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands.
This is one of our categories of walking holidays.
- Arran Coastal Way in Scotland
- Causeway Coast Way in Northern Ireland
- Causeway Coast Way and Glens of Antrim in Northern Ireland
- Channel Islands
- Cleveland Way part of the England Coast Path
- Cumbria Coastal Way part of the England Coast Path
- Dingle Way in Ireland
- England Coast Path
- Fife Coastal Path in Scotland
- Great Gardens of Cornwall
- Great Gardens of Devon
- Guernsey, Herm and Sark in the Channel Islands
- Hebridean Way in Scotland
- Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path part of the Wales Coast Path
- Isle of Man
- Isle of Mull
- Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall
- Jersey Coastal Footpath in the Channel Islands
- Kerry Way in Ireland
- Lecale Way in Northern Ireland
- Lleyn Peninsula, part of the Wales Coast Path
- Norfolk Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- Northumberland Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- Pembroke Coast Path part of the Wales Coast Path
- Rye to Ramsgate on England Coast Path
- Solent Way part of the England Coast Path
- Somerset Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- South West Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- Suffolk Coast Path
- Tarka Trail in Devon
- Wales Coast Path
- Yorkshire Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
We offer National Trail walking holidays in England and Wales in the UK.
This is one of our categories of walking holidays.
- Cleveland Way
- Cotswold Way
- Cumbria Coastal Way part of the England Coast Path
- England Coast Path
- Glyndwrs Way in Wales
- Hadrians Wall Path
- Norfolk Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- North Downs Way
- Offas Dyke Path in Wales
- Peddars Way
- Pembroke Coast Path part of the Wales Coast Path
- The Ridgeway
- South Downs Way
- South West Coast Path part of the England Coast Path
- Thames Path
- Yorkshire Wolds Way
