The walk from our home and studio here in Welcombe, North Devon down to the dramatic beach at Welcombe Mouth is one of our favourites. It begins in a twisty, leafy lane where the banks are so high we are underneath the trees, looking up at their exposed roots. For a while we follow a little stream. There are wildflowers growing in the banks and hedgerows: primroses, red campion, orchids, flax and wood sorrel, to name a few. And, if we are quiet, we sometimes see deer and the occasional fox, badger or owl.

As the lane opens up, we get a little glimpse of the sea. A dusty path then leads us closer and closer to the beach. There is stunning headland on either side, covered with ferns, wild thyme, foxgloves and sweet coconut scented gorse. Eventually, we come to the cliff edge at Welcombe Mouth where the little stream has lead to a river and finally to a waterfall. A path leads down to the rugged beach with its smooth, round pebbles, huge expanse of sand at low tide and lines of jagged rocks that lead out into the vast Atlantic Ocean. And all of this from our front door.

Photo © pachadesign 2011