This week has brought us beautiful warm, sunny days, rather unusual for April. So, deciding to make the most of them, we drove up the A39 towards Clovelly where Beckland Woods can be found. The car park at Brownsham is National Trust managed, and the path down to the woodland starts from here. There is a board adjacent to the path with a plan of the wood and suggested routes to follow, but there are wooden signposts to mark the way.
The woodland floor at this time of year is carpeted with bluebells. They line the path through the wood and sweep down to the stream through the valley. We followed the trail through the wood and up the other side to reach the coast path. There is a lovely view over Blackchurch Rock towards Clovelly, although the village itself is hidden from sight. On another day, it would be nice to walk across the fields to Clovelly and back along the coast path, but I think I would need it to be a bit cooler than 23°.
It was very peaceful in the woods, we only passed 3 other people, but there was a constant backdrop of birdsong and the sound of the stream flowing down to the sea.
As well as bluebells, there are celandines, red campion and greater stitchwork to be seen, and the ferns are starting to unfurl their leaves too.
Brownsham car park can be found by turning off the A39 near Clovelly and heading towards Hartland lighthouse. The postcode is EX39 6AN, but beware of relying on this for satnav directions. Follow the signs for Brownsham.