Turn left on the coast path and climb to the cliff top; a steep descent leads to a crossing of Marsland Water into Cornwall.
Follow the coast path inland, then sharp right on to Marsland Cliff. Pass through a gate above Litter Mouth, then descend steeply into a combe and across a bridge. A steep zig-zag ascent gains Cornakey Cliff. Continue along the cliff edge via four gates, then bear right and descend into a combe. Cross the footbridge, then climb steeply onto Henna Cliff. Keep ahead to pass through a gate by a metal seat.
At the next footpath post turn inland (lovely views to the vicarage and church). Cross a stile in the field corner and keep ahead along the lower edge of the next field to a T-junction of paths.
Turn right into woodland and descend to a stile/footbridge. Walk uphill past the vicarage, then cross over a stone stile into the graveyard. Bear right towards the church, then left and left again to exit via the lychgate. Go straight ahead up the lane to find The Bush Inn on the right.
Return to Point 4. Go straight on uphill, and through a metal gate. Cross the next bank over wooden steps. Turn immediately right and go through an open gateway at the top right of that field (following yellow arrows) on to a track; keep ahead to meet the farm drive. Turn immediately left through the righthand of two gates and along the left edge of the field. Climb over a stile, and pass to the left of a small barn. Bear right to a gate and follow the track ahead to meet a tarmac lane on a bend.
Turn left towards Cornakey Farm and follow the ‘alternative path’ right through a gate into a field. Keep ahead then turn left through a gate and down steps. Turn right into a green lane.
The track ends at a gate; keep along the right field edge. Pass through the next gate and bear left across the field, downhill. Cross the hedge bank via three stiles and bear half left across the field. Cross a stile into woodland then descend steeply; cross two footbridges and follow the path uphill. Follow arrows (right) through a meadow with Marsland Manor left. Cross a stile on to a lane.
Turn left; pass Marsland Manor and keep uphill. As the lane bends right turn left (signed ‘Marsland Mouth’) on a track. Go through a gate and downhill. At a cottage (right) and information board turn left on a footpath. At a gate keep straight ahead (downhill) to find the coast path. Continue straight on to cross the stream into Devon and retrace your steps back to your car.
This walk takes you over the border into Cornwall, along a rugged coastal route – and feels completely Cornish. The colours here are green and grey, and any sense of cosy, comfortable Devon is left far behind as you trudge steadily up and down the switchback coast path south from the stark, remote,... rocky beach at Welcombe Mouth. It’s a magnificent piece of coastline. Henna Cliff, near point 3, is the highest sheer cliff in England after Beachy Head in Sussex and, in complete contrast, from here you get a clear view of the satellite tracking station on its clifftop position south towards Bude. But it’s a real treat to come and explore this part of the coast, where the dramatic scenery and weather conditions constantly remind you of just how insignificant you are compared to the natural elements. The remote hamlet of Morwenstow, 2 miles (3.2km) from the Devon border, is a fascinating place, best known for its connection with the 19thcentury vicar, the Revd Robert Stephen Hawker. This colourful character came here in 1834 and built the pinnacled rectory, to replace the former derelict building, next to the church. He was a drug addict throughout his life, and spent many hours meditating in his hut on the cliff edge, where he also wrote poetry. This eccentric figure is said to have worn a fisherman’s jumper and seaman’s boots. He is believed to have introduced the harvest festival service, and wrote the famous Shall Trelawny Die?, a Cornish ballad. He died in 1875, after converting to Catholicism on his deathbed. The Church of St Morwenna and St John the Baptist is the most northerly parish church in Cornwall, occupying a striking position just inland from Vicarage Cliff. Its pinnacled tower, visible from the coast path, was a useful landmark. There is a Saxon font, and evidence of the original Norman building in the three arches, with zig-zag moulding, in the north arcade. The church was enlarged and restored in the 16th and 17th centuries, and there is wood carving in the roof, pews and bench endings.
Devon sums up all that is best about the British landscape, with its magnificent coastlines, two historic cities, the world-famous Dartmoor National Park and south Devon’s glorious English Riviera. A fashionable and much-loved holiday destination, hiking and cycling in the National Parks is extremely popular among visitors, with a great choice of off-road routes.
Turn left on the coast path and climb to the cliff top; a steep descent leads to a crossing of Marsland Water into Cornwall.
1 of 8
Follow the coast path inland, then sharp right on to Marsland Cliff. Pass through a gate above Litter Mouth, then descend steeply into a combe and across a bridge. A steep zig-zag ascent gains Cornakey Cliff. Continue along the cliff edge via four gates, then bear right and descend into a combe. Cross the footbridge, then climb steeply onto Henna Cliff. Keep ahead to pass through a gate by a metal seat.
2 of 8
At the next footpath post turn inland (lovely views to the vicarage and church). Cross a stile in the field corner and keep ahead along the lower edge of the next field to a T-junction of paths.
3 of 8
Turn right into woodland and descend to a stile/footbridge. Walk uphill past the vicarage, then cross over a stone stile into the graveyard. Bear right towards the church, then left and left again to exit via the lychgate. Go straight ahead up the lane to find The Bush Inn on the right.
4 of 8
Return to Point 4. Go straight on uphill, and through a metal gate. Cross the next bank over wooden steps. Turn immediately right and go through an open gateway at the top right of that field (following yellow arrows) on to a track; keep ahead to meet the farm drive. Turn immediately left through the righthand of two gates and along the left edge of the field. Climb over a stile, and pass to the left of a small barn. Bear right to a gate and follow the track ahead to meet a tarmac lane on a bend.
5 of 8
Turn left towards Cornakey Farm and follow the ‘alternative path’ right through a gate into a field. Keep ahead then turn left through a gate and down steps. Turn right into a green lane.
6 of 8
The track ends at a gate; keep along the right field edge. Pass through the next gate and bear left across the field, downhill. Cross the hedge bank via three stiles and bear half left across the field. Cross a stile into woodland then descend steeply; cross two footbridges and follow the path uphill. Follow arrows (right) through a meadow with Marsland Manor left. Cross a stile on to a lane.
7 of 8
Turn left; pass Marsland Manor and keep uphill. As the lane bends right turn left (signed ‘Marsland Mouth’) on a track. Go through a gate and downhill. At a cottage (right) and information board turn left on a footpath. At a gate keep straight ahead (downhill) to find the coast path. Continue straight on to cross the stream into Devon and retrace your steps back to your car.
This walk takes you over the border into Cornwall, along a rugged coastal route – and feels completely Cornish. The colours here are green and grey, and any sense of cosy, comfortable Devon is left far behind as you trudge steadily up and down the switchback coast path south from the stark, remote,... rocky beach at Welcombe Mouth. It’s a magnificent piece of coastline. Henna Cliff, near point 3, is the highest sheer cliff in England after Beachy Head in Sussex and, in complete contrast, from here you get a clear view of the satellite tracking station on its clifftop position south towards Bude. But it’s a real treat to come and explore this part of the coast, where the dramatic scenery and weather conditions constantly remind you of just how insignificant you are compared to the natural elements. The remote hamlet of Morwenstow, 2 miles (3.2km) from the Devon border, is a fascinating place, best known for its connection with the 19thcentury vicar, the Revd Robert Stephen Hawker. This colourful character came here in 1834 and built the pinnacled rectory, to replace the former derelict building, next to the church. He was a drug addict throughout his life, and spent many hours meditating in his hut on the cliff edge, where he also wrote poetry. This eccentric figure is said to have worn a fisherman’s jumper and seaman’s boots. He is believed to have introduced the harvest festival service, and wrote the famous Shall Trelawny Die?, a Cornish ballad. He died in 1875, after converting to Catholicism on his deathbed. The Church of St Morwenna and St John the Baptist is the most northerly parish church in Cornwall, occupying a striking position just inland from Vicarage Cliff. Its pinnacled tower, visible from the coast path, was a useful landmark. There is a Saxon font, and evidence of the original Norman building in the three arches, with zig-zag moulding, in the north arcade. The church was enlarged and restored in the 16th and 17th centuries, and there is wood carving in the roof, pews and bench endings.
Devon sums up all that is best about the British landscape, with its magnificent coastlines, two historic cities, the world-famous Dartmoor National Park and south Devon’s glorious English Riviera. A fashionable and much-loved holiday destination, hiking and cycling in the National Parks is extremely popular among visitors, with a great choice of off-road routes.
