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Heddon Valley
Towering cliffs, coves and a wooded valley within Exmoor National Park
Heddon Valley, Near Parracombe, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4PY
Important notice
The Hunters' Inn is temporarily closed from 29 Apr. From 12 May to 22 Dec, Jose's Ln (off the A399) will be closed for bridge works. Please use Broadoak Hill (off the A39) instead. For bridge work enquiries, contact Devon County Council directly.
Opening times for 11 May 2025
Asset Opening time Countryside Dawn - Dusk Pantry 10:30 - 17:00 MTWTFSS282930123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930311OpenPartially openClosed- Café
- Car park
- Dogs allowed
- Pub
- Toilet
Blue Badge parking. Accessible toilet. Two mobility scooters (trampers) available for hire by calling 01598 763402 when the Welcome Hub is open. The footpath down to Heddon's Mouth consists of moderately level gravel and is maintained for trampers and pushchairs.
- Accessible route and/or map
- Accessible toilet
- Designated parking
- Level access to food outlet
- Level access/terrain
- Powered mobility vehicle available
- Ramped access/slopes
- Seating available
- By road
From Barnstaple there are two route options, for larger vehicles please follow the A39, turning left onto the A399 at Blackmoor Gate then taking a right turn further up the road signposted Trentishoe or Heddon Valley. For smaller vehicles (who are comfortable with narrow country lanes), we recommend staying on the A39, turning left off the A39 after Parracombe, signposted Heddon Valley. From Minehead - turn right off the A39 after Woody Bay. Please be aware that for very large vehicles, access can still be challenging, even via the Trentishoe route.
Parking: Pay & Display parking in Heddon Valley opposite the toilets. Free for National Trust members.
- On foot
South West Coast Path within ¾ mile
- By train
Nearest train station Barnstaple 17 miles
- By bus
Regular service from Barnstaple to Lynton (passing close Barnstaple train station), alight just north of Parracombe, then 2 miles
- Cycling
On Sustrans regional route 51
Heddon Valley, Near Parracombe, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4PY
Planning your visit
PDF
PDF
Alternative route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders due to road closure
Heddon Valley bridge closure, alternative footpath
Article
Exploring the Heddon Valley
Explore the wooded river valley reaching inland down to the sea at Heddon's Mouth. Heddon Valley's walking routes include two accessible routes for all-terrain mobility scooters with Tramper.
Article
Visiting Heddon Valley with your dog
The Heddon Valley is a three pawprint rated place, meaning dogs are welcome in most places, including our take-away café, The Pantry and the Hunter's Inn beer garden.
What's on in the Heddon Valley
Find out about all our upcoming trails and events in the Heddon Valley.
Article
Accessibility in North Devon
Find out about access at our places in North Devon, where you can hire Trampers and where there are accessible paths and activities.
Heddon Valley loop - Phototrails
Phototrails provides a visual access guide for this walk, with images showing the route, terrain, path surfaces and facilities - click here to find out more.
Highlights
Coast
Towering cliffs and coves, within the Exmoor National Park.
Wooded valley
Lush wooded valley leading down to the sea.
Information centre
Staff-led information on local walks, conservation stories and second-hand bookshelf.
Eating
The Hunters Inn will be run by a National Trust tenant from the 1 May 2025. Every pint, meal or overnight stay helps to look after the wildlife in the valley, and improve access for all visitors.
Wild play area
Explore the wild play area created from trees.
Things to see and do
What's on in the Heddon Valley
Find out about all our upcoming events here
Article
Exploring the Heddon Valley
Explore the wooded river valley reaching inland down to the sea at Heddon's Mouth. Heddon Valley's walking routes include two accessible routes for all-terrain mobility scooters with Tramper.
What's on across North Devon
Find out about our events taking place at National Trust properties across North Devon.
Article
Family things to see and do in the Heddon Valley
Head down to the Heddon Vally for a day full of family fun. From outdoor adventures to nature trails, scrumptious ice creams to wild play in the play area, there is always something to keep your little ones occupied. Find out more...
Top trails
Trail
Heddon's Mouth circular walk
Follow one of Devon's most beautiful walking routes through ancient woodland alongside the River Heddon to where it meets the sea.
Trail
Heddon Valley to Woody Bay walk
Take in spectacular views along the coast on this challenging walk along an historic 19th-century carriageway.
Trail
Gentle walk to Heddon's Mouth
Follow this easy National Trust trail alongside the banks of the River Heddon and explore the area where it meets the sea.
Trail
Heddon Valley's high brown fritillary walk
A wooded valley and cliff tops are the location for this butterfly-spotting trail.
Trail
Heddon Valley coast walk
A short but challenging walk along the highest and most spectacular sea cliffs in England.
Eating
Article
Eating and drinking at Heddon Valley
Find out where to eat and drink in this wooded valley on Exmoor, from classic pub lunches in the historic Hunters Inn to takeaway food and ice cream from The Pantry.
Places to stay
Heddon Orchard Bothy
For a truly rustic getaway, try this indoor camping style bothy set deep in the wilds of Heddon Valley.
West Challacombe Manor
A historic manor house with original features from the 15th century.
West Challacombe Cottage
A countryside cottage with sweeping vistas and a country rustic interior.
Combe Park Lodge
A great base for ramblers, this elegant Edwardian cottage is close to river gorges and ancient woodlands.
Exmoor Bunkhouse
Set on the fringes of Exmoor, you’ll have miles of coastal hikes and moorland adventures on your doorstep.
Berry Lawn Linhay Bothy
This camping barn offers is an ideal overnight stop for walkers on the South West Coast Path.
Woolley Lodge
A Victorian lodge set within a secluded woodland on the Arlington estate.
Upcoming events
Event
North Devon Walking Festival - Heddon Valley to Woody Bay
Join our ranger team on this 6-mile loop with views along the coast and across to Wales as you walk along some of the highest and most dramatic cliffs in England.
Event
West Challacombe Walk with a Ranger
Join the National Trust Rangers for a free walk and talk at West Challacombe to learn about our work for people and nature in the area.
About Heddon Valley
Heddon Valley, set in the West Exmoor coast, was the favourite landscape of the Romantic Poets including Wordsworth and Coleridge.
When you arrive, why not follow the deep, lush wooded river valley down to the sea at Heddon's Mouth beach – a great walk for all the family. Or explore further east to Woody Bay, a quiet and wooded cove with spectacular views over the Bristol Channel. To the west, the Hangman Hills boast towering sea cliffs and beautiful moorland scenery, offering energetic walking and wonderful views over Combe Martin.
As well as spectacular coastal and woodland walks, there is also a pantry (selling hot drinks and ice creams), car park and toilets in Heddon Valley itself.
Our work
Article
Our woodland work on West Exmoor
Discover how the West Exmoor ranger team look after 1,200 acres of woodland, an area roughly the size of 16,000 tennis courts, containing around 400,000 trees.
Project
Project
North Devon Grasslands project
Newly sown wildflower grassland will connect nature habitats in the North Devon countryside. The project will see grassland cover 1,275 hectares over pockets of land across 70 miles by 2030, from Torridge to west Exmoor.
Article
Landscape-scale conservation on West Exmoor
Landscape-scale conservation, with its huge benefits for nature and wildlife, is a focus for our West Exmoor ranger team. Find out about 3 of our current projects here.
Article
Butterfly Conservation in the Heddon Valley
Find out about our butterfly conservation work in the Heddon Valley. Including work supporting the High Brown Fritillary, one of the rarest UK butterflies.
Project
Project
Nature-friendly project along the Exmoor Coast
The Exmoor Coast Project is a landscape-scale project covering 35 miles of coastline between Combe Martin in North Devon and Minehead in West Somerset. This ambitious project is a collaborative effort to increase diversity and bring natural processes back to this stretch of coastline, creating a richer, healthier and more vibrant coast, benefiting both the wildlife and people.
Article
Climate Action in North Devon
Climate change is the biggest threat to the coastline, countryside and historic buildings we care for. Find out about the work we are doing in North Devon and the simple swaps in place to help reduce our emissions and environmental impact.
History
Article
History of Heddon Valley
Find out more about the history of The Hunters Inn and Woody Bay. Discover tales of fraud and fire and how the estate became increasingly popular with Victorian tourists.
Support us
Article
Volunteering in North Devon
Volunteers in North Devon play a big part in caring for over 8,000 acres of land, 50 miles of coastline and 101 miles of footpath. Discover how you can get involved.