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Selworthy Beacon and Hurlstone Point Walk

5.6 miles (9 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This circular walk from the village of Selworthy climbs to Selworthy Beacon before visiting Bossington Hill, the lovely coastline at Hurlstone Point and the splendid pack horse bridge at the village of Allerford.
The walk starts in the village of Selworthy where there is a car park and visitor centre. From here you can follow footpaths north west to Selworthy Combe, Bury Castle and the Memorial Hut. Here you turn east to climb to the 308 metre high Selworthy Beacon and enjoy some excellent views over the area.
At the beacon you can pick up the South West Coast Path and follow it north west to another fine viewpoint at Bossington Hill. Look out for wildlife including buzzards, peregrine falcons, kestrels as you make your way across the hill.
The route then descends to the coast at Hurlstone Point. There's some splendid steep cliffs here and great views over Porlock Bay and Selworthy Sand beach below.
The route then turns south to visit the woodland area around West Lynch before paying a visit to Allerford. The village has a very photogenic 15th century bridge over the Aller Brook and a number of picturesque cottages.
From Allerford you continue south east past Brandish Street before returning to the village.

Selworthy OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Selworthy Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The Periwinkle Tea Rooms are a must see in the village. The delightful thatched tea rooms date from the 17th century and sit in a lovely position on Selworthy Green. It's beautifully laid out inside and there's also some splendid gardens to sit out in during the warmer months. It's the ideal spot to stop for a well earned cream tea after your walk. You can find them at postcode TA24 8TP for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

The woods and coast on the walk are ideal for fit dogs. The Periwinke tea room mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

To continue your walking in the area you could enjoy a climb to the popular Dunkery Beacon for more great vistas. There's also the Porlock and Porlock Weir Walk, Nutscale Reservoir Walk and Holnicote Estate Walk to try.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Exmoor Walks page.

Photos

Cairn and trig pillar on Selworthy Beacon - geograph.org.uk - 1716628

Cairn and trig pillar on Selworthy Beacon

The Tithe Barn and Tithe Barn Cottage, Selworthy - geograph.org.uk - 1710812

The Tithe Barn and Tithe Barn Cottage, Selworthy. A late medieval tithe barn, enlarged to form 2 dwellings. Grade II* listed.

Selworthy, Selworthy Green - geograph.org.uk - 547724

Selworthy Green. The cottage on the left offers teas and belongs to the National Trust. The cottages at the Green were provided by Sir Thomas Acland for his retainers and were built in 1828. Exmoor provides the backdrop to this quintessentially pretty English scene.

Selworthy, above Selworthy Combe - geograph.org.uk - 547641

Above Selworthy Combe. View south west towards Exmoor on the track between the village and the beacon.

At the top of Hurlstone Combe - geograph.org.uk - 1709178

At the top of Hurlstone Combe. The path of the left contours round the western end of Bossington Hill. On the right a path drops steeply down Hurlstone Combe.

Coastguard Station on Hurlstone Point - geograph.org.uk - 932906

Coastguard Station on Hurlstone Point

Allerford bridge

Allerford: the pack-horse bridge - and the ford on the right hand side.

Selworthy, in Selworthy Woods - geograph.org.uk - 547718

In Selworthy Woods. On a public path from Bossington Hill to the church and village Green.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Selworthy.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Selworthy.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)