History of Baggy Point

View across the beach at Baggy Point, Devon — The beach at Baggy Point | © National Trust Images / John Millar

Baggy Point was given to the National Trust by the Hyde family in 1939. Today, this rugged headland is managed and protected by the Trust for everyone to enjoy.

The Hyde Family

Edwin Hyde and his two sisters, Connie and Florence, lived on this dramatic headland before generously leaving it to the Trust over 75 years ago.

Since then, the site has been carefully managed to balance the needs of the wildlife and the 70,000 people a year who visit for the views over the sandy beaches of North Devon and across to Lundy Island.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon — A visitor and child walking a dog along a coastal path at Baggy Point | © National Trust Images / John Millar

The Hydes at Baggy Point

There are still plenty of signs of the past lives of the Hydes, including the handsome farm buildings. The freshwater pond was built as an extension to their garden and was home to many mallard ducks during the Second World War (although they all apparently mysteriously disappeared during the American occupation).

The Hydes' harbour

The Hydes were also fond of fishing and boating and created a natural slipway and a small, sheltered harbour by digging away the hard rocks at the base of the cliffs. You can still spot where a winch was once housed, which enabled the family to haul their boats up high out of the worst of the winter storms.

A child explores the rocky paths with adults in the background around Baggy Point, Devon — Exploring the headland at Baggy Point | © National Trust Images / John Millar

Baggy Point given to the Trust

An extract from the North Devon Journal of 11 May 1939 reads: 'It is announced that Misses Constance and Florence Hyde of Baggy Point, Croyde, have presented to the Trust the whole of Baggy Point.

'The property is of some 240 acres. Baggy Point is a bold headland and forms the southern arm of the bay of Morte Bay. Misses Hyde are sisters of Sir Charles Hyde, the well-known newspaper proprietor. They are well-known for their support of local charitable objects.'

The Second World War

During the Second World War much of the area at Croyde was used for military training due to its similarity to the Normandy beaches. On the plateau of Baggy Point, you can still see dummy pillboxes used to represent enemy gun emplacements. These were recorded on original US Army plans in 1943-44.