Grant money opens up North Devon’s coast and countryside to more people

Beach wheelchairs, new walking routes plus improved pathways and shelters have been made possible thanks to grant funding which will ensure North Devon’s coast and countryside is more accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

Last year the North Devon Coast National Landscape was awarded more than £70,000 from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) through its Access for All Fund and Capital Uplift grant scheme to support a series of projects around the region.

The money has helped in a variety of locations on the coast and inland, including at Combe Martin, Putsborough, Croyde and Woolacombe beaches where North Devon-based charity Access for All has been able to purchase Hippocampe all-terrain wheelchairs to improve access.

At East Titchberry Farm near Hartland a new circular walking route on level ground has been created, connected to the Public Right of Way network.

The route includes interpretation panels, benches, signage, and gates, highlighting heritage features like the Malt House and nature-friendly farming practices.

Above: A new level circular walking route has been created at eats Titchberry near Hartland thanks to the Defra funding.

Meanwhile, Galsham Woods near Hartland has seen the development of a new permitted access route through pasture and woodland, with a public parking space and connections to the South West Coast Path and Spekes Valley. The route opens up stunning woodland habitats and extends popular walking trails.

In Ilfracombe, the Victorian Shelter on Hillsborough has been restored, enhancing the site of an ancient hillfort and supporting the ongoing efforts by North Devon Council and the Friends of Hillsborough to improve access, nature, and heritage engagement in the town.

At Little Snailands in Croyde a path has been reprofiled and resurfaced to improve accessibility. The upgraded gravel path will offer a safer and more inclusive walking experience for a wider audience.

Above: A new route through pasture and woodland has been created at Galsham near Hartland, with public parking and access to the coast path.

These projects are part of the Access for All: Removing Barriers program, funded by Defra. It is designed to improve access to green and blue spaces across England. With a commitment of £14.5million across the country, the program focuses on making targeted improvements in protected landscapes, including National Parks and National Landscapes.

Nicki Palmer from local charity Access For All said: “Access For All was delighted to receive such wonderful support from the North Devon Coast National Landscapes and Defra.  

“The funding gave our project such an enormous boost, we have been able to put more beach wheelchairs on beaches from Croyde to Combe Martin, giving us seven beach wheelchairs in our fleet.  

“We are so grateful to The National Landscapes for helping us to get to this position and to enable many more people to access a beach without limitations. Helping us to make North Devon beaches accessible to all.”

The charity has a new website at www.accessforallbeaches.org.uk which gives beach users who need to know what facilities are available more opportunity to plan their trips in advance.

Joe Newberry, National Landscape Manager, added: “This is part of a wider government initiative to make all protected landscapes ‘places for everyone’.

“We’re proud to be delivering projects that open up North Devon’s stunning coast and countryside to more people, regardless of age, ability, or background. Following last year’s success we once again have money available for access focussed projects across the North Devon Landscape.”