Section 36 of 218, King Charles III England Coast Path
Bideford to Westward Ho!
7.7 miles (12.4 km). About 2½ hours, moderate.
Start: SS 454 266. Finish: SS 435 293. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Warning: Diversion in place. Part of this route is closed or diverted for now. In Suffolk, the National Trust says the path across Dunwich Heath and its beach is closed after a wildfire, with no pedestrian access. In Somerset, the council says three short sections near the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier (Pawlett, Chilton Trinity and Express Park) are closed for construction works, and a long-term diversion is in place around Hinkley Point C. Source: somerset.gov.uk.
Up and down
About 144 m of climbing and 142 m of descent; highest point 29 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Bideford.
- Bus stops
- Bideford Quay, 30 m from the start. Directions SS 454 266Bideford Quay, 130 m from the start. Directions SS 454 267Ship On Launch, 270 m from the start. Directions SS 457 265
- Car parks
- Car park (pay), 80 m from the start. Directions SS 454 265Church Street Car Pak (pay), 160 m from the start. Directions SS 453 265Car park, 270 m from the start. Directions SS 457 266
Getting back
The section finishes at Westward Ho!. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Avon Lane, 40 m from the finish. Directions SS 434 293Car Park, 360 m from the finish. Directions SS 432 291The Links, 900 m from the finish. Directions SS 443 295
Planning the King Charles III England Coast Path
- Planning the whole trail: nationaltrail.co.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 45%, gravel and tracks 13%; the rest (39%) isn't recorded.
About 44% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 1 kissing gate, 5 gates, 7 flights of steps.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 23 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Walked it? Log it
Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.