Interesting information
This site is a Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (VMCA).
(C) Philip Halling - Licenced for reuse - geograph.org.uk
North Devon VMCA
- About this route
The North Devon Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (VMCA) runs for about 21 miles along the coast from Hangman Point in the east to Down End in Croyde in the west. It extends from the cliff base out into coastal waters to a depth of 20 meters. It was created in 1994 to help raise awareness of this beautiful stretch of coast and its wildlife.
The coastline has a wide range of shores and beaches, home to a diversity of coastal wildlife. For example, the area supports the rare and beautiful scarlet and gold star coral and the shy leopard spotted goby. In summer, sunfish and basking sharks may be spotted off the coast.
- Getting Around
On foot: The South West Coast Path, a long-distance walking route, runs the entire length of the North Devon VMCA.
- Facilities
- The Devon Wildlife Trust organises guided rockpool adventures and organised events. There are mini-marine centres at Ilfracombe Meseum, Mortehoe Heritage Centre and Braunton Countryside Centre.
- Terrain
- Coastal Footpath with some cliff edges.
- Accessibility
You can explore more in this area
long-walks
329kms
South West Coast Path
Over the centuries fishermen, coastguards and smugglers have helped to create this historic path – now Britain’s longest National Trail -…
- A Visit to the Hangman
- Exe Estuary Trail
- The Tarka Trail (Braunton – Meeth)
- A walk in Hope
- Devon Coast to Coast NCN27
- Braunton Burrows
- Devon’s Little Switzerland
- South Coast NCN 2
- East Devon Way
- Exe Valley Way
- Templer Way
- John Musgrave Heritage Trail
- Two Moors Way (Devon’s Coast to Coast)
- Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs
- The Otter Estuary
- Berry Head
- Wembury VMCA
- North Devon VMCA
- Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs
- Budleigh Salterton Cliffs and the Otter Estuary
- Berry Head to Sharkham Point
- Wembury
- North Devon’s deadly coast
- Noss Mayo – Revelstoke Carriage Drive
- Dawlish to Dawlish Warren
- Bolberry Down
- Budleigh to Otterton Mill
- Exe Estuary Trail: Exmouth to Lympstone
- Northam Burrows Country Park
- Baggy Point
261kms
Tarka Trail walking route
Inspired by Henry Williamson’s much loved novel ‘Tarka the Otter’ which was based on real places, this 163 miles/261kms recreation route…
- The Taw-Torridge Estuary
- Eggesford Forest
- Ernest Bassett Walk
- South West Coast Path
- The Tarka Trail (Braunton – Meeth)
- The Granite Way
- Devon Coast to Coast NCN27
- Braunton Burrows
- Devon’s Little Switzerland
- West Country Way NCN 3
- Halsdon
- Two Moors Way (Devon’s Coast to Coast)
- The Granite Way
- Braunton Burrows
- North Devon’s deadly coast
- Northam Burrows Country Park
- Baggy Point
cycle
52kms
The Tarka Trail (Braunton – Meeth)
Stretching for over 52km / 32 miles from Braunton to Barnstaple, then to Instow, Bideford, Great Torrington and on to Meeth. …
short-walks
10kms
North Devon’s deadly coast
Mortehoe is a small hilltop village on Devon’s northernmost coast. Despite its proximity to the holiday resort of Woolacombe, it retains…
accessible-walks
37kms
Tarka Trail Easy Walk
Entirely traffic free, this part of the Tarka Trail can be enjoyed in sections to suit your group. This off-road route stretches for over…
4.3kms
Baggy Point
The SW Coast path out to a viewpoint at Baggy Point has been levelled and compacted to make access easier for…