Morte Hoe to Morte Point and Beyond!

Mortehoe is a picturesque village on the cliff high above Woolacombe Bay.  It's a lovely starting point for walks through an area of coastal heathland, with  heather and bright yellow gorse bushes, wild flowers, sheep a plenty, and panoramic views. 

There are several walks you can do from the village, long or short, gentle or with rather rigorous climbs. We just took the path next to the Church, which took us down quiet village lanes, past a cemetery offering an unmatchable location for a final resting place, and along paths studded with golden gorse bushes.  Then you arrive at the heathland. It's a great place to walk with your dog, but please do remember to keep it on a leash--there have been far too many incidents recently of farm animals attacked and injured by dogs. And there are usually sheep grazing on the hillsides.

To your left are superb views of the whole expanse of beautiful Woolcacombe Bay.  Ahead, Morte Pointe rises at the promontory, enticing you with anticipation of the views to be had.  You won't be disappointed! 

Morte of course, means death, and there is a good reason why this stretch of coast is so named. The deadly 'Devil's Teeth' rocks continue underwater and have been responsible for many a shipwreck over the centuries. Legend has it that some unscrupulous locals used lights  to lure ships onto the rocks so they could plunder the cargo. As a result, Bull Point Lighthouse was built in 1879. It was left in a precarious position when 15 metres of rock face crashed into the sea and finally the present day lighthouse was built in 1974.

Reaching the Top!

While enjoying the panoramic views, be sure to look out for Atlantic grey seals who can often be spotted basking on the rocks or swimming  in the sea on the north side of the Point. If you are lucky, in summer you may also see dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks which swim astonishingly close to the beaches.