Bossington, Hurlston and Selworthy

Selworthy

Directions (Start)

Cross Horner Water via to footbridge at the back of the Car Park and turn left on the Coast Path signposted Bridleway to Hurlstone (alongside the river)

The path turns uphill beside a gate and continues through the woods. Opposite a wooden cottage notice the view of Porlock Bay through an opening in the trees.

Go through a gate and continue uphill where the woods give way to heathland scenery and take you to the National Trust stone marker post for Hurlstone. The South West Coast Path turns right, but continue straight ahead to see the old coastguard station up at Hurlstone Point. From the CG lookout retrace your steps then, after 200 yards, take the left fork leading across the hill to a crossroads where you turn left to resume the Coast Path in the Minehead direction.

Follow the path steeply uphill towards the head of the pass between Hurlstone Point and Bossington Hill. The path levels out a little as it crosses another path beside a seat. Continue straight ahead up the hill, staying on the Coast Path and passing another path that comes in from the left.

Where a bridleway turns right to Lynch carry on straight ahead. A few yards further on another path leads right towards a Car Park and some trees, but you keep straight ahead. Selworthy Beacon is now coming into view.

Where the Coast Path turns off to the left at the next junction continue straight ahead to the summit of Selworthy Beacon.

At the next junction take the left fork but notice a road coming into view ahead. When the path comes alongside the road move onto the road for a few yads then cross to the path signposted Bridleway to Dunster and Selworthy. At T junction turn right towards Dunster and Selworthy. Shortly after turn right to go down into Selworthy Combe towards Selworthy. The path enters the woods and goes alongside a small stream. Ignore all side paths and follow the stream until the path comes out to a road beside a church. Go through the gate to the road and immediately turn right through a smaller gate leading into the National Trust owned village of Selworthy Green. Walk down through the village, past the thatched cottages to the top of the lower green, then turn right following a sign to Agnes Fountain and Allerford.

Cross a plank bridge over the stream then go over a stile and follow the path uphill alongside a fence. Turn left onto a wider path at a T junction. At the next intersection take the right fork. T into another path and follow the path left in the direction of Bossington (through mixed woodland). Follow the "permitted bridleway to Holnicote" and at the next crossroads continue straight ahead in the direction of Hurlstone and Bossington. The path sweeps left and is joined by another path coming in from the left. Go past a log shelter (with seats) and go straight ahead at the next crossroads.The path narrows to go through a small gate uphill following the rim of Lynch Coombe. Follow the path round the rim of the coombe till it crosses a stream and turns back to face down towards Porlock Bay. At the next intersection (beside a seat) take the left fork to go down into Lynch Coombe. Ford a small stream, then cross an even smaller rivulet.

PUBLISHED MAPS

Where a path comes in from the right from Hurlston, but continue straight ahead. Ignore the gate and paths on the left (to St Agnes Fountain and Allerford)and continue downhill beside the stone wall. At the next junction remain on the path straight ahead to Bossington. Go through a gate and continue downhill beside a stream. Veer left at the next junction and cross a stream, then take the right fork (the sign to West Lynch is a few yards further on). The path comes out to a rough road between cottages. Cross the river Aller on a stone bridge beside Lynch Country House and turn right onto the road.

Go past the Exmoor Falconry and Animal farm and continue along the road to cross Horner Water over another stone bridge leading back into the village of Bossington. Pass through the village and turn right into the Car Park