Welcombe

Welcombe is a remote parish straddling the Cornwall-Devon border on the Atlantic coast, about 6 miles north of Bude and 4 miles south of Hartland in Devon. The administrative boundary between the two counties runs through the area, and properties here may be listed under either Cornwall or Devon; for holiday purposes the area is best understood as part of the Bude hinterland. The landscape is characterised by dramatic cliffs reaching 400 feet above sea level, and deep wooded valleys (locally called “combes”) running down to the shore.

Welcombe Mouth, a small cove at the foot of one such valley, is accessible on foot from the coast path but has no road access. The coast path here is part of the South West Coast Path and is notably demanding, with steep drops into the combes and climbs back up to the cliff tops. Marsland Mouth, where the county boundary runs along the stream, is about a mile north. The medieval church of St Nectan serves the parish.

Morwenstow, Cornwall’s most northerly parish, is about 3 miles south. Bude beaches and town centre are about 6 miles south. Holiday accommodation in the Welcombe area is in remote farm cottages with cliff and coast views - an isolated location that suits walkers and those seeking complete quiet rather than resort facilities.