EX39 5DY Buck’s Mill Circular 3miles 0121

Turn off the A39 at Buck’s Cross and head downhill to the sea and Buck’s Mill

Difficulty: 5/5: This is a difficult walk even more so wet under foot.

Litter: 4/5**: Very good nearly all the way round the odd piece needed picking up, but very little., however the ‘beach litter’ needs looking at.

Enjoyment: 5/5: A lovely walk that offer a little bit of everything.

Dogtastic: 4/5: They absolutely loved it. Leads are needed when on the roads and walking through the farm.

Have a look at some of the history of Bucks Mill;

The National Trust in Bideford Bay;

Buck’s Mill Cabin an artist’s retreat just above the beach;

Alternate walk to/from Peppercombe;

Alternate (Longer) Walk: Buck's Mills to Peppercombe Castle 4.7 miles (7.5 km)
This site provides a very descriptive route card and map;

Places to enjoy following the walk:
- The Merry Harriers Garden Centre:

- The Bell Inn at Parkham;

- The Hoops Inn:
Nice pub, quiet though its on the main road, book a table the food is also nice.

- The Coach and Horses:

- The Thatched Inn:
What a country pub should be, though a little further away in Abbotsham.

Issues/Observations:
1. Speaking as an incomer to North Devon; though not a Grockle, I think it’s a shame that small communities such as Buck’s Mill are slowly having the life sucked out of them as more and more of the properties become holiday lets and second homes. The local council should try to find a way of securing the community feel of these places before they become mere husks of what they used to be.

2. There are too many derelict sheds and too much village ‘junk’ spoiling the aesthetic.

3. The small beach is a lovely place to swim in the summer.

4. Buck’s Cross and Buck’s Mill are close enough to some excellent places to visit;
- The Village of Clovelly
- Hartland; Village, Quay, Abbey and Point (Lighthouse)
- The Milky Way Theme Park
- The Big Sheep Theme Park

Local History:
The Atlantic Academy can be seen on the walk. Now in the capable hands of the Launceston College MAT, however previous to this fortuitous change it was a shambles.
The people responsible for its planning and commissioning, its building particularly the financing of it and its governors and managers should hang their collective heads in shame. If ever there was a lesson in educational naivety and at best mismanagement this was it.

Why not also follow and subscribe to:

** I picked up litter as I walk round: A bag (TESCO Bag for Life)
Why would people come to such a lovely place and leave their litter?