Heddon Valley cuts through the West Exmoor coast in North Devon, a deep wooded river valley loved by Wordsworth and Coleridge, where National Trust rangers protect the high brown fritillary, one of the UK's rarest butterflies. The classic walk follows the River Heddon through ancient woodland to the beach at Heddon's Mouth, between some of the highest sea cliffs in England, on a gravel path suited to pushchairs and the trampers for hire. Harder routes climb east to Woody Bay or west over the Hangman Hills. Dogs are welcome almost everywhere, including The Pantry takeaway kiosk and the beer garden of the Hunters Inn, a pub not run by the Trust, and there is a wild play area. Reviewers reckon on about an hour there and back to the beach. Tips from visitors: the lanes down are narrow and steep, so larger vehicles should come via Trentishoe; parking is pay and display, free for members who check in.
