Mortehoe isn’t a place you plan a whole day around. It’s small, quiet, and doesn’t try to be more than it is — a cluster of houses and a church perched on the cliffs above the Atlantic, just a couple of miles from Woolacombe. But that’s exactly why it’s worth a stop: it’s the kind of place you pass through on the way to somewhere bigger, only to find the short detour was the best part of the day.
The Coastal Walk Toward Woolacombe
The main reason to stop in Mortehoe, for us, is the walk. There’s a small path at the edge of the village heading in the direction of Woolacombe, and it’s an easy one to underestimate — right up until the view opens up. From up there, you get a proper look down over Woolacombe and its beach, the kind of wide, elevated view you simply don’t get from sand level.
The path itself is straightforward and doesn’t require any special gear or experience — this is very much a walk anyone can do, not a serious hike. That said, it’s North Devon, so don’t expect it to be completely flat: like most of the coast path around here, there are a few short uphill stretches along the way. Nothing dramatic, just enough to remind you you’re on a cliff and not a promenade.
This stretch is part of the wider South West Coast Path network that runs along this section of coastline, connecting Mortehoe with Woolacombe in one direction and further round toward Morte Point in the other. If you’re already planning a Woolacombe Beach day, this walk is an easy way to add a different perspective on the same stretch of coast — see our full Woolacombe Beach guide for more on the beach itself.
The Fish and Chips Spot Near the Church
Here’s the actual insider tip: there’s a genuinely good fish and chip shop in Mortehoe, tucked away near the church. It’s easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there, and it doesn’t open until late afternoon — so this isn’t a lunch stop, it’s a plan-your-timing-around-it stop. If you’re doing the coastal walk and can time it so you finish up as the shop opens, that’s exactly how we’d recommend doing it.
There’s something about eating proper fish and chips in a tiny village square after a cliff walk that just works. It’s not fancy, and it doesn’t need to be.
Parking in Mortehoe
Keep it simple: there’s one paid car park near the centre of the village. That’s it — no sprawling choice of car parks like you get at Woolacombe. It’s convenient enough for a short visit, but worth knowing in advance so you’re not driving around looking for alternatives that don’t exist.
The Village Itself
Beyond the walk and the chip shop, Mortehoe is genuinely small — a church, a handful of houses and cottages, and the kind of quiet you don’t get in the busier North Devon towns nearby. There’s no real “sight” to tick off here. It’s more of a mood than a destination: a calm, unpolished village that feels a world away from Woolacombe’s beach crowds, despite being only a couple of miles down the road.
Final Thoughts
Mortehoe won’t take up your whole day, and it’s not trying to. Pair it with a Woolacombe visit — walk out from Mortehoe for the view, then time your return for when the fish and chip shop opens near the church. It’s a small addition to a North Devon trip, but exactly the kind of unplanned stop that ends up being one of the highlights.
We’ve also put together a short walking through the village and up onto the hills above it — a good way to see Mortehoe’s quieter side before you head out toward Woolacombe: Walking the Hills of Mortehoe | Village Views, North Devon.
Planning a trip through North Devon? Check out our guides to Woolacombe Beach, Clovelly, and Ilfracombe Harbour for more of the coastline.