Mothecombe to Heybrook Bay – South West Coast Path Walks
June 10, 2020
Mothecombe to Heybrook Bay on the South West Coast Path. Â We have started on the other side of the River Erme (without the 1 hour tidal window to worry about). Â This section has a natural break in it at the River Yealm, and as foot ferries are still not running, we broke this section into two separate circular walks. Â We’re discovering from the circulars that we actually like the inland farm and village sections as much as the coastal paths.
Mothecombe to Noss Mayo
The start at Mothecombe is at the small Meadowsfoot beach and winds it’s way gradually uphill and across open grassland. Â We climbed up a very steep slope to Beacon Hill for our lunch stop. Â You know it’s really steep when you can feel your calf muscles kick in. Â Fortunately, although steep, it wasn’t a very long climb and left-over roast pork wraps were a good incentive. Â 
We followed the coast path to Mouthstone point before heading along Red Cove to the village of Noss mayo, a beautiful village on a creek off the River Yealm.
For our walk back to the start we went along country lanes past Membland Villa and through Pool Mill Farm before taking a woodland path through Thornhill Wood. Â The occasional amusing sign is always welcome.
Yealm Estuary to Heybrook Bay
Once again, with the foot ferries not operating, we split the Mothecombe to Heybrook Bay section into two; the Yealm estuary being a natural barrier.
This part of the South West Coast Path was surprisingly flat for a large section and actually followed the coast at a low level close to the shore, with The Great Mewstone as our constant companion on this section. 
We’ve passed a few “Mew” stones while we’ve been walking on the SWCP. Â All either large rocks or small islands just off the coast. Â But what does Mew mean?
Mew is the old English name for Herring Gull.  The islands or rocks are not accessible and so the gulls and other birds are their only inhabitants.  Although this was not always the case for The Great Mewstone.  In 1744 a man was found guilty of a minor crime and sentenced to 7 years on the island, where he remained with his family the entire time.  His daughter, named ‘Black Joan’, married and had three children that she raised there.  Your own private island….I wonder what the crime was.
Another fabulous lunch spot with a view. Â This time we took a Greek salad – alla Hewitt. Â Why stick to sandwiches? Â A lack of pubs and places to eat is bringing out our creativeness regarding picnic lunches.
Don't Miss on the Mothecombe to Heybrook Bay Coast Path
- A stop at The Schoolhouse Cafe at Mothecombe for freshly baked cakes, local seafood or just an ice-cream. We opted for the latter at the end of our walk; always welcome on a hot day.
- A walk around the pretty village of Noss Mayo.
- Lunch (or early dinner) at The Ship Inn in Noss Mayo. Â It wasn’t possible on our walk this time, but we have been before. Â The pub is beautiful inside and out with seating right next to the river. Â Great food and great staff.
- Great rock-pooling at Wembury Point (or a good opportunity for cooling off hot feet).
Where next?
We’ve only got one section left on the OL20 Ordenance Survey Explorer Map, but we’ve decided to head inland to Dartmoor for a change of scenery before completing the first map.
