Ilfracombe to Hele Bay Walk
A popular walk along a section of the South West Coast Path from Ilfracombe to Hele Bay.
It's about a 1.5 mile walk along a cliff top path with some moderate climbing.
The route starts at the viewpoint and cave at Capstone Point in Ilfracombe. You then head east past the pier to Hillsborough Fort and Beacon Point. Shortly after you arrive at Hele Bay, passing the small village of Hele which lies just to the south of the path. This includes a Grade II listed corn mill dating back to 1525.
At the bay itself you'll find a nice shingle beach, pretty rock pools and mysterious smugglers caves.
You can extend the walk by continuing east along the path to Combe Martin on the Ilfracombe to Combe Martin Walk.
Ilfracombe to Hele Bay Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Ilfracombe to Hele Bay Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Ilfracombe to Hele Bay OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Ilfracombe to Hele Bay Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
For some nice local history head to the Hele Corn Mill for your refreshments. Here you'll find some delightful tea rooms housed in the working 16th century corn mill. You can explore the water mill, learn all about its history and then enjoy a bite to eat in the lovely gardens. You can find them at postcode EX34 9QY for your sat navs.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
You could head west on the circular Ilfracombe to Lee Bay Walk which will take you to the picturesque Lee Bay using the coastal path and the a href='/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksWalks/ilfracombe-to-ossaborough-railway-path-walking-and-cycle-route'>Ilfracombe to Ossaborough Railway Path.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Ilfracombe from Capstone Point
Ilfracombe and its harbour viewed from a viewpoint on Hillsborough a headland to the east of the seaside town.
Larkstone beach and local dogs
Beacon Point. View from the Haggington Point viewpoint.
Hele Bay. A sandy, sheltered beach, east of Ilfracombe. Viewed from the Hagginton Point picnic area.
Hele Bay
Rocks and beach at Hele Bay
Hele Mill. Flour was milled here until the mid 1930s, and later it sadly fell derelict. In the 1970s the mill was restored by a local man named Chris Lovell. Now fully working, the mill grinds a heritage species of organic wheat to provide flour for the adjacent award-winning tea room.