Exmoor Coast
Illustrated books explore the Exmoor Coast including the Valley of Rocks near Lynton, the Lynmouth flood disaster, the cliffs of Saunton and booklets of walks around Croyde and Baggy Point.
(Valley of Rocks: Lynton - Lyn in Flood - Cliffs of Saunton - Classic Landforms of the North Devon Coast - Croyde and Baggy Walks)
VALLEY OF ROCKS: LYNTON Peter Keene & Brian
Pearce.
ISBN 978-0-948444-25-8 Thematic Trails 1993.
£2.95
A5. 44 pages. 35 illustrations.
| It's hard to imagine a more congenial walking companion, with its abundant quotations from the past and its attempt to marry the beauty and theatricality of the landscape with geological explanation." (Geology Today) |
| ▲" Described as ‘a landscape companion, guided walk, souvenir and reference booklet’ and it admirably fulfils these roles. It uses a combination of techniques from geology, geomorphology and history to discuss the issues behind the formation of the now dry valley and man's use and appreciation of it. Quotations and illustrations are used to explore the changing perceptions of the valley." (Exmoor Review) |
LYN IN FLOOD, Watersmeet to Lynmouth Peter
Keene and Derek Elsom
ISBN 978-0-948444-20-3 A5. 48 pages. 36 illustrations. £2.40
A riverside walk from the National Trust shop and café at Watersmeet following
the East Lyn downstream to Lynmouth and the sea. Explanation for the variety
of physical moods of the East Lyn river are interwoven with emotional responses
to the river including the flood of 1952.
| ▲"The book is of value not only for the walk but also for the way in which it provides a framework for looking at other rivers. A useful reference book for visitors once they have returned home." (Exmoor Review) |
| ▲"This ‘landscape companion’ explores not only the history and causes of the flood, but prompts emotions and reactions in the reader, to what is seen along the way. Creating an atmosphere is what this trail is all about - chatting to Winston Singleton, warden in charge of the Watersmeet estate for the last 20 years and investigating the various moods of the river, from tumbling brook to raging torrent! It also explores the topical problems of acid rain, the effect of chemicals on the river bank and the dangers of over-development." (North Devon Journal). |
CLASSIC LANDFORMS OF THE NORTH DEVON COAST (2nd edition) Peter Keene Geographical Association 1996. Re-printed by Thematic Trails 2005.
ISBN 978-1-899085-18-7 48 pages. 29 illustrations. £5.95
This booklet provides a serious explanation of the varied landforms of the North Devon Coast. In particular the aim is to offer an interpretation which is not only useful to visiting tutors and students but is also presented in a way which is digestible and fascinating for the interested non-specialist member of the general public. The booklet, drawing attention to a large number of coastal features, encourages readers to make an inquisitive interpretation of the landscape.
Contents: Hartland Peninsula, Westward Ho!, the Taw-Torridge estuary, Croyde Bay and the Exmoor coast with the Valley of Rocks. Each of these five areas has a nesting set of Thematic Trails (see this catalogue). Each trail provides a detailed commentary and clear instructions on walks covering selected themes within this guide. The overarching strategy for all thematic trails is to evoke a sense of place by tempting the participant to play the role of interpreter early in each walk.
| Locally you can buy Lynton and Lynmouth Thematic
Trails at: National Trust Shop, Watersmeet House,
Lynmouth. North Devon EX35 1NT T: 01598 752648 National Trust Shop, Heddon Valley, Parracombe, Barnstaple Devon EX30 4PY T: 01598 - 763402 Lynton Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall, Lynton. EX35 6BT T: 01598 - 752225 The Studio, 8/9 Lee Road, Lynton North Devon EX35 6HW T: 01598 - 753382 Mother Meldrum’s Tea Gardens, Valley of Rocks, Lynton, EX35 6JH T: 01598 - 53234 |
THE CLIFFS OF SAUNTON Peter Keene and Chris
Cornford
ISBN 978-0-948444-24-1 Thematic Trails 1995.
£2.95
A5. 44 pages. 30 illustrations.
Today's beach and dunes are compared with ‘fossil’ cliff sediments revealing
a record of dramatic climatic and environmental change.
| ▲"If you really want explanations served up to you... then go elsewhere, but if you want to learn, by self-assessment if you like, start here. Ideally you should go there, to Saunton Sands, but it's not absolutely necessary. The booklet is so cleverly done that you can learn much without leaving your armchair. Not that we are encouraging such sloth, you understand." (Geology Today) |
| ▲ "The Cliffs of Saunton reviewed"
At first glance one may wonder if this is a trail or an encyclopaedia? The answer, according to Thematic Trails, is ‘both’. The inside cover suggests it is a ‘reference book and landscape companion” and this aptly describes its function. Ideally, it should be taken onto the Saunton foreshore where it may provide a fascinating commentary on what can be found. It gives active encouragement to the reader to try to reconstruct for oneself, the prehistory of this area using what can be seen in the cliff face from the beach. However, it is clear that the depth and quality of information provided will also make it a reference booklet that will be read by many without visiting the cliffs and will find a useful place on the bookshelves of many libraries and homes. 
The booklet, which deals with the recent geological past has sections on sea level changes, the characteristics of beaches and sand dunes, climatic change including North Devon in the last ice age and a discussion about the curious giant boulders found on the shore (illustrated on the front cover of the book - see right!). As with all Thematic Trails, the booklet is designed to appeal to two groups, non-specialist visitors and educational parties. It assumes intelligent interest and is written in a language and style accessible to the general public, but does not shy away from taking the curious visitor to the research frontier. Clear instructions advise the interested visitor to follow the story in bold text which threads it’s way through the book and to simply dip, as provoked, into the many detailed text boxes of finer type provided. For the teacher and student this booklet is a masterpiece of detailed information written in a form which clearly casts the reader as interpreter and yet, ultimately, never leaves the reader in the dark or without the background information to play this role. The text boxes are written as mini resource packs, equipping the reader with a tool kit of knowledge with which they can genuinely participate in the role of decoder and speculator proposed for them. The Cliffs of Saunton is well illustrated and reflects the polish and presentation which the series has acquired with years of experience in this genre." (Earth Science Teachers review) |
SIX WALKS AROUND CROYDE AND BAGGY POINT, NORTH DEVON
Green Guides by Ro, Paul & Abbi Madgett (Madgett Publications) 1998 – 2003.
Sold as a pack of six walks £1.80.
Each walk consists of a double-sided, A4 sheet, folded into three to make six, six-page black and white pamphlets. Maps and clear walking instructions guide the walker but the real attraction of these small brochures is the way attention is drawn to intriguing features encountered in this landscape from rocks and buildings to animals and plants.
1. Baggy Point and Middleborough Hill. Cliffs, coastal heath, birds, butterflies, sea mammals, rock formations and views. Distance: 2.75 miles (2 hours without hurrying). Good paths with some stiles.
2. Green Lanes and Saunton Down. Ancient tracks, flowers, butterflies, birds, mammals, far-reaching views and local history. Distance 2.5 miles (3 hours without hurrying). Well-marked tracks and paths. Some stiles and steep slopes.
3. Putsborough Sands and ancient Manor. Green Lanes, cliffs, sandy beach, traditional buildings, wild flowers and local history. Distance: 3 miles or 4 from Baggy car-park. (2 or 3 hours). Quiet, mostly green lanes and footpaths. A few stiles.
4. Middleborough Lane and “Back of Baggy”. Green lanes, cliffs, birds, butterflies, flowers and views. Distance: 3 miles (2.5 hours without hurrying). Good path with some stiles. Supervise children on the cliff paths.
5. Rocks and Landscape of Croyde. The ancient history of this landscape is revealed by visual clues within the changing landforms of rock, cliff and hillside. Distance:? A variety of routes selected from other green walks may provide the most appropriate route so it may take 3 hours to explore this landscape adequately.
6. The Flowers of Baggy Point. Over 200 species of flowering plants have been seen on Baggy Point in one year. Use this guide in association with guides 1 to 4 to help you select an interesting route in and around Baggy Point and Croyde. Distance will be a matter of planning but a 3-mile (3 hour) walk can easily be constructed.
The set of six walks sold as a pack costs £1.80. FOR AN OFFER OF A THEMATIC TRAILS NORTH DEVON COASTAL LANDSCAPE PACK CLICK HERE