Blackchurch Rock

Island in Devon Torridge

England

Blackchurch Rock

Mouthmill Beach
Mouthmill Beach Credit: Mark Percy

Blackchurch Rock is a prominent geological feature located off the coast of Devon, England. Situated about 2 miles south of the small village of Lee Bay, this rocky outcrop is part of an island that emerges from the Bristol Channel during low tide. It is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and rock climbers due to its unique formation and stunning coastal views.

The island is characterized by its jagged cliffs, which rise up to 100 feet above sea level. These cliffs are composed of various types of sedimentary rocks, including limestone and sandstone, giving them a distinctive black color, from which the island derives its name. The rock formations have been shaped over millions of years through erosion caused by the relentless pounding of the waves.

Blackchurch Rock is accessible during low tide, when a narrow causeway is exposed, connecting it to the mainland. However, caution must be exercised as the tide can rise rapidly, cutting off the island from the mainland and potentially trapping visitors. Due to its exposed location, the island is subject to strong winds and rough seas, making it unsuitable for swimming or boating.

The island and its surrounding waters are home to a diverse range of marine life, including seals, dolphins, and various species of seabirds. It also boasts a rich variety of plant species, with mosses, lichens, and wildflowers clinging to the rocky surfaces.

Overall, Blackchurch Rock offers a captivating glimpse into the natural beauty and geological history of Devon's coastline, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking an adventurous and scenic experience.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Blackchurch Rock Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.013941/-4.4264361 or Grid Reference SS2926. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Mouthmill Beach
Mouthmill Beach
The South West Coast Path, near Clovelly Court The South West Coast Path passing through woodland near Clovelly Court.
The South West Coast Path, near Clovelly Court
The South West Coast Path passing through woodland near Clovelly Court.
The coast path near Clovelly The South West Coast Path passing through woodland near Clovelly.
The coast path near Clovelly
The South West Coast Path passing through woodland near Clovelly.
Angel Wings, near Clovelly The Angel Wings is a folly on the coast path to the west of Clovelly, it was carved by a former butler from Clovelly Court in the early 19th century. It was built for Sir James Hamlyn Williams, a former owner of Clovelly. It was located here so that he could look across Bideford Bay to where his daughter, Lady Chichester, lived at Youlston.  The structure is Grade II listed.  My GPS reading differs slightly to the one given by Historic England.

Historic England description
Seat with canopy. Wooden dateplaque to S.:"1826" restored "1934 by Boon Bros. Boatbuilders of Northam. Wooden structure with a pyramidal shingled roof which is bellcast, lead flashing at the angles and apex, capped by a large stone ball finial. Square on plan. Central tapering square pillar with floral carving on each face, at the base of the pillar a slatted wooden bench; the pillar supports the roof principally on 4 large curving struts carved like the wings of angels, further uncarved cusped strusts set above; soffit with carved angel busts in relief. Situated on the edge of the cliffs with wide views out to sea. An unusual romantic structure, part of the landscaped park created by Sir James Hamlyn in the late C18/early C19 around Clovelly Court. Source: W G Hoskins, Devon, P370; Private archive at Clovelly Court.
Source: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1165473" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1165473">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Angel Wings, near Clovelly
The Angel Wings is a folly on the coast path to the west of Clovelly, it was carved by a former butler from Clovelly Court in the early 19th century. It was built for Sir James Hamlyn Williams, a former owner of Clovelly. It was located here so that he could look across Bideford Bay to where his daughter, Lady Chichester, lived at Youlston. The structure is Grade II listed. My GPS reading differs slightly to the one given by Historic England. Historic England description Seat with canopy. Wooden dateplaque to S.:"1826" restored "1934 by Boon Bros. Boatbuilders of Northam. Wooden structure with a pyramidal shingled roof which is bellcast, lead flashing at the angles and apex, capped by a large stone ball finial. Square on plan. Central tapering square pillar with floral carving on each face, at the base of the pillar a slatted wooden bench; the pillar supports the roof principally on 4 large curving struts carved like the wings of angels, further uncarved cusped strusts set above; soffit with carved angel busts in relief. Situated on the edge of the cliffs with wide views out to sea. An unusual romantic structure, part of the landscaped park created by Sir James Hamlyn in the late C18/early C19 around Clovelly Court. Source: W G Hoskins, Devon, P370; Private archive at Clovelly Court. Source: LinkExternal link
Cliffs below Galantry Bower A vertiginous spot above near vertical cliffs viewed from the South West Coast Path near Galantry Bower.  The headland ends with Blackchurch Rock which is just visible below the end of the cliff.
Cliffs below Galantry Bower
A vertiginous spot above near vertical cliffs viewed from the South West Coast Path near Galantry Bower. The headland ends with Blackchurch Rock which is just visible below the end of the cliff.
View back towards Clovelly View back towards Clovelly from the South West Coast Path near Gallantry Bower.
View back towards Clovelly
View back towards Clovelly from the South West Coast Path near Gallantry Bower.
Another showery day on the bridleway near Court Farm, Clovelly
Another showery day on the bridleway near Court Farm, Clovelly
Clovelly Court Garden Wonderful views.
Clovelly Court Garden
Wonderful views.
Clovelly Court Lodge at the entrance to the church and house.
Clovelly Court
Lodge at the entrance to the church and house.
Clovelly Church All Saints.
Clovelly Church
All Saints.
Clovelly : Clovelly Court Entrance Looking to the entrance to Clovelly Court.
Clovelly : Clovelly Court Entrance
Looking to the entrance to Clovelly Court.
Church at Clovelly Court
Church at Clovelly Court
Sharp bend on the B road out of Clovelly
Sharp bend on the B road out of Clovelly
South-west Coast Path above Clovelly
South-west Coast Path above Clovelly
Blackchurch Rock Beach at Blackchurch Rock, Devon
Blackchurch Rock
Beach at Blackchurch Rock, Devon
Hartland: Beckland Bay View from the South West Coast Path, looking north west
Hartland: Beckland Bay
View from the South West Coast Path, looking north west
South West Coast Path near Mouth Mill, Hartland
South West Coast Path near Mouth Mill, Hartland
View from Windbury Hillfort One of the great views from this section of the South West Coastpath (from Hartland Point to Clovelly). Left foreground: part of Windbury Hill. Right: Brownsham Cliff (a different one to the one in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/SS2726">SS2726</a>) Left: Blackchurch Rock <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/SS2926">SS2926</a>. Right: Gallantry Bower <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/SS3026">SS3026</a>
View from Windbury Hillfort
One of the great views from this section of the South West Coastpath (from Hartland Point to Clovelly). Left foreground: part of Windbury Hill. Right: Brownsham Cliff (a different one to the one in SS2726) Left: Blackchurch Rock SS2926. Right: Gallantry Bower SS3026
Show me another place!

Blackchurch Rock is located at Grid Ref: SS2926 (Lat: 51.013941, Lng: -4.4264361)

Administrative County: Devon

District: Torridge

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///husbands.dabbled.spearing. Near Northam, Devon

Related Wikis

Windbury Head

Windbury Head is the site of an Iron Age hill fort on the Hartland Peninsula, just north of Clovelly in North Devon, England. Most of the fort has been...

Clovelly Court

Clovelly Court is a privately owned country house in Clovelly, Devon. The house and adjacent stable block are Grade II listed buildings. The gardens and...

Atlantic Academy

Atlantic Academy is a secondary free school situated in Bucks Cross in Bideford, Devon, England. It has 131 pupils as of June 2017, and its current principal...

Clovelly Lifeboat Station

Clovelly Lifeboat Station, serving the North Devon village of Clovelly and surrounding coastal waters, is run by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution...

Burscott

Burscott is a village in Devon, England. == External links == Media related to Burscott at Wikimedia Commons

Clovelly

Clovelly () is a privately owned harbour village in the Torridge district of Devon, England. The settlement and surrounding land belongs to John Rous who...

Clovelly Dykes

Clovelly Dykes is an Iron Age hill fort or earthwork near Clovelly, Devon, England. Situated on the high plateau behind the coast at approx 210 metres...

The Small School

The Small School was a coeducational private school for children ages 11–16, located in Hartland, Devon, England, that closed in 2016. == History == Satish...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.013941,-4.4264361
Barrier: kissing_gate
Bicycle: yes
Foot: yes
Stile: stepover
Lat/Long: 51.0114521/-4.4292383
Mouth Mill
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 51.0131971/-4.4276792
Shelter
The Cottage
Shelter Type: basic_hut
Lat/Long: 51.012956/-4.4249415
Blackchurch Rock
Tourism: attraction
Lat/Long: 51.0138926/-4.4264241
Blackchurch Rock
Natural: rock
Lat/Long: 51.0139685/-4.4264414
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Blackchurch Rock?

Leave your review of Blackchurch Rock below (or comments, questions and feedback).