Apparently, Devon has more than 500 miles of coastline, and as far as I know, is the only county that has two coasts. Where I live on the south coast, we have a sunny, southerly aspect (when the sun makes an appearance that is) with a fairly sheltered environment. The north coast however is quite different, and there are two reasons for that. Firstly, it faces the prevailing south-westerly winds, and secondly, thanks to tectonic activity, the geology of the western side of the country has created a much harder rock than the softer sedimentary rocks on the eastern side. In other words, Britain goes downhill from west to east if you like – geologically speaking of course.

Although Devon’s south coast has some beautiful scenery, even I would have to admit that the rugged north coast is even better. Walking this section of the South-West Coast Path requires a fair bit of stamina, but as an easier alternative, and with, arguably, a better view of this magnificent coastline, it’s just as rewarding to enjoy it from the sea, and I did just that by taking two boat trips out of Ilfracombe with the Ilfracombe Princess – one that sailed west to Morte Point, and the other that sailed east to Great Hangman, which, at 800 ft, boasts the highest sea cliff in England.

Both posts will be more of a picture gallery than an in-depth study of the area, and I’m going to start off at Morte Point and work my way up the coast to Ilfracombe and then on up to Great Hangman. The whole of this coastline is a veritable ship’s graveyard, and so it seems appropriate therefore that we begin our journey at Morte Point, which literally means Death Point, so sit back and enjoy this fabulous coastline from the comfort of your armchair without the need to reach for the seasick tablets.

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Originally posted 2025-07-10 16:28:41.