HF Holidays 8 Mile Linear Hard Walk To Lynmouth

HF Holidays 8 Mile Linear Hard Walk To Lynmouth

This was our fourth walk during our week at Holnicote House with HF Holidays.

It was an 8 mile linear hard walk from a drop off point on the A39 just outside of Countisbury along the South West Coast Path to Lynmouth.

Our HF Holidays walk leader today was Mervyn and after a quick outline of our walk we set off from the road across fields to the coastal track.

HF Holidays 8 Mile Linear Hard Walk to Lynmouth – Walk Leader Mervyn

HF Holidays 8 Mile Linear Hard Walk to Lynmouth – From the A39 To The South West Coast Path

At the South West Coast Path we walked left to follow the signpost to Countisbury and after a mile or so Mervyn got out his emergency shelter for a quick story for the children. The weather was cold, wet and windy and a complete contrast to the previous days glorious sunshine.

HF Holidays 8 Mile Linear Hard Walk to Lynmouth – Emergency Shelter

This part of the coast is absolutely stunning, even in wet weather and the Exmoor wild ponies certainly didn’t seem to mind.

HF Holidays 8 Mile Linear Hard Walk to Lynmouth – South West Coast Path

HF Holidays 8 Mile Linear Hard Walk to Lynmouth – South West Coast Path – Exmoor Wild Ponies

We continued our walk along the South West Coast Path keeping to the next signpost to Lynmouth down and around a long and winding zig zag path.

We then followed the next (very old) signpost to Countisbury and after a short while sought solace from the elements in Countisbury Church, which is kept open all year round for walkers.

HF Holidays 8 Mile Linear Hard Walk to Lynmouth – South West Coast Path – Countisbury

HF Holidays 8 Mile Linear Hard Walk to Lynmouth – Countisbury Church

After a long enough lunch to dry off from the rain we set off again to the coastal path on a section of the walk described as ‘mild exposure’. I didn’t take any pictures on this section due to being absolutely petrified.

We continued our walk down in to woodlands which eventually lead us down to the beach where we then walked in to Lynmouth to meet up with the other groups and get the coach back to Holnicote House.

HF Holidays 8 Mile Linear Hard Walk to Lynmouth – Woodlands To Lynmouth

HF Holidays 8 Mile Linear Hard Walk to Lynmouth – Lynmouth Beach

So, it’s worth noting that by this time Mary (and Rose) decided not to do anymore walking but still wanted to meet the groups at Lynmouth after their walks.

HF Holidays went out of their way to help Mary get to Lynmouth with Rose and the buggy, and one of the activity leaders (Mary) was fantastic in keeping them company over numerous pots of tea.

Mervyn was also incredible at helping me overcome my nerves at walking along the thin tracks with the sheer drop in to the sea below.