Woody Bay

© David Mason and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Woody Bay, on the rugged Exmoor Coast, certainly lives up to its name. The rocky cove is backed by steep, heavily wooded cliffs.

The walk down to the beach is as much of a delight as the cove itself; the path zig-zags through the woods, passing some amusing signage on the way.

Around a hundred years ago Woody Bay was earmarked for development as a holiday resort to rival neighbouring Lynton and Lynmouth. The owner built a pier to allow ferries to dock and a golf course to attract wealthy visitors. However, things went into reverse when the pier was damaged by storms and the owner ran out of money, eventually ending up dying in prison.
Today, all that remains of the Woody Bay empire is the hotel, and of course the lovely sylvanian cove.