Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk starts at the National Trust's Lydstep Head car park. A path leads out round Lydstep Point, the limestone headland above Lydstep Haven, with views to Caldey Island and its lighthouse and, on clear days, to Lundy and the Somerset coast; its cliffs show dramatic vertical folds. Back at the car park, the Coast Path runs west along the cliff top to the edge of Skrinkle Haven, where steep cliffs fall to the sea, and the walk returns the same way.
It is 4.6 km with 87 m of ascent; allow about 1½ hours. The grade is Easy.
The cliffs are unguarded and the coastal slope is very steep: the National Park says to keep to the path. Cattle graze the headland. The caverns below Lydstep Head can be reached only at low tide, by 100 steps, and this walk does not go down. The path to Skrinkle Haven beach is closed because the cliff is collapsing, and the Manorbier firing range lies just beyond: look for red flags before you go west.
The National Trust runs the Lydstep Head car park; its trail page does not give a charge and nor does OpenStreetMap, so check before you go.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- From Lydstep Head the views take in Caldey Island and its lighthouse, and on clear days Lundy and the Somerset coast
- The limestone cliffs of the headland show dramatic vertical folds and are popular with climbers
- Lydstep Caverns can be reached only at low tide, by 100 steps down to the beach
- A Second World War gun emplacement stands near the car park on the headland
Getting there
Start: Lydstep Head car park. 51.64617, -4.76479
Directions to the start
By train: Manorbier station is 2.5 km from the start.
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Manorbier: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
