Baggy Point is the kind of place that reminds you why the South West Coast Path exists. A National Trust headland at the southern tip of Croyde Bay, it offers one of the most dramatic and rewarding short coastal walks in North Devon, with views that stretch from Lundy Island in the north to Hartland Point in the south and the Atlantic rolling in below.
The walk out from Croyde village car park takes about 25 minutes along a clear path, passing through National Trust farmland before the headland opens up at its furthest point. The rocks here are ancient, Devonian sandstone sculpted by millions of years of wave action, and the cliff faces are popular with climbers, particularly on the sections overlooking Croyde Bay.
Wildlife is a genuine highlight. Peregrine falcons nest on the cliffs, and in season you might spot common seals, dolphins, or even basking sharks in the clear water below. Swallows and house martins gather here in vast numbers during their autumn migration, and the headland is an excellent spot for birdwatching in general.
Baggy Point connects directly to Croyde Bay beach to the north and forms the southern anchor of the beach. After your walk, Croyde village is a short stroll away with its excellent cafés, surf hire and the Blue Groove and Manor House Inn for food and drinks.
The headland is accessible year-round, with National Trust car parking in Croyde (charges apply). Dogs are welcome on leads through the farmland section. The circular walk from Croyde via Baggy Point and back through the fields is about 3 miles and takes 1.5 to 2 hours at an easy pace. One of the great free days out in Devon.
For those combining Baggy Point with a visit to Croyde, the walk back along the southern edge of the bay gives a different perspective on the beach and the surf conditions below. It is one of the better vantage points for watching surfers at work, and the light in the late afternoon along this stretch of coast is genuinely photographic. A circular route via the Point and back through Croyde village is about 3 miles and takes roughly 90 minutes at a comfortable pace.
