The South West Coast Path. Paddy Dillon

cycleway is signposted for Barnstaple and it soon crosses a road near the old Wrafton station, now a house. The railway line and its stations operated only from 1874 to 1970. Stout fencing on the right surrounds the RAF Search and Rescue base for 22 Squadron, where Sea King helicopters can be seen; the broad area of land that was formerly Wrafton Marsh was reclaimed in 1857.

      A roundabout and bus stop are passed at RMB Chivenor, where a café is available on site. A well-wooded stretch of the old trackbed gives way to fine views across the estuary of the River Taw, and there is access to the fine, castellated Braunton Inn.

      Another wooded stretch is hemmed in between the estuary and main road, but the trackbed later drifts away from the road and runs close to the estuary. After passing an industrial estate, a signpost points left, where a tarmac path runs up to a busy road and there is the possibility of a shortcut across the Taw Bridge.

      TAW BRIDGE SHORTCUT

      (SAVES 1KM (½ MILE) AND 30MINS)

      Cross the bridge, come down and turn right, then as the tarmac path approaches a tunnel, turn right again along a wooded trackbed to rejoin the main route.

      The main route, however, goes under the Taw Bridge, then crosses the Yeo Bridge to enter Barnstaple.

      BARNSTAPLE