Pinnacles

Island in Devon

England

Pinnacles

Common seals on John Sims (Start Point) The common seal (Phoca vitulina) sticks to familiar resting spots or haulout sites, generally rocky areas like these shown on the south Devon Coast. — Common seals on John Sims (Start Point) Credit: Stuart Logan

Pinnacles is a small, uninhabited island located in the county of Devon, England. Situated off the coast of South Devon, it is part of the South Devon AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and is known for its rugged beauty and diverse wildlife.

Covering an area of approximately 10 hectares, Pinnacles is characterized by its dramatic cliffs and rocky outcrops, which rise steeply from the surrounding sea. These cliffs provide nesting sites for seabirds such as guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes, making it an important breeding ground for these species.

The island is also home to a variety of plant species, including grasses, ferns, and wildflowers. Its exposed position and harsh weather conditions have shaped the vegetation, resulting in a unique and hardy plant community.

Access to Pinnacles is limited due to its remote location and protected status. However, the island can be visited by boat or kayak, and a range of guided tours are available for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. These tours provide an opportunity to explore the island's rugged coastline, observe its resident bird populations, and appreciate the unspoiled natural beauty of the area.

Pinnacles, Devon, is a haven for wildlife and a place of stunning natural beauty, offering visitors a chance to experience the wild side of this picturesque region of England.

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Pinnacles Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.219821/-3.6617191 or Grid Reference SX8136. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Common seals on John Sims (Start Point)

The common seal (Phoca vitulina) sticks to familiar resting spots or haulout sites, generally rocky areas like these shown on the south Devon Coast.

Stuart Logan

Start Point Lighthouse from above Deep Cove

The name "Start" derives from an Anglo-Saxon word steort, meaning a tail. The rocks of The Point are greenschist and mica-schist, formed by metamorphism of Devonian sediments during a period of mountain building towards the end of the Carboniferous period.

Stuart Logan

Footpath to coast from Start Point car park

A track leads past Start Farm to an isolated clifftop car park. The views themselves are worth the visit but visitors can descend this valley path to the shore and then follow the footpath anticlockwise around start point back to the starting point.

Stuart Logan

Great Mattiscombe Sand

This lovely sandy, south facing beach can only be reached by footpath.

Stuart Logan

The ruined village of Hallsands

The fishing village of Hallsands had existed since the 17th C. By the time of the 1891 census the population had reached 159. Unfortunately, offshore dredging undermined the beach. This dredging was sanctioned by the Board of Trade to supply construction materials for naval dockyards. Almost certainly the dredging resulted in the sea finally overwhelming the village on the night of 26 January 1917.

Stuart Logan

Start Point lighthouse

Start Point lighthouse was built in 1836 and was automated in 1993. The tower is 28 metres (92 ft) high.

Philip Halling

Start Point Lighthouse

Start Point lighthouse was built in 1836 and was automated in 1993. The tower is 28 metres (92 ft) high.

Philip Halling

South West Coast Path signpost

This signpost on the South West Coast Path near Start Point indicates the distance in miles to the start and end of this Long Distance Path, 462 miles to Minehead and 168 miles to Poole.

Philip Halling

Coast path above Ravens Cove

The South West Coast Path above Ravens Cove with the Start Point lighthouse in the background.

Philip Halling

Coast path approaching Start Point

The South West Coast Path approaching Start Point and it lighthouse.

Philip Halling

Great Mattiscombe Sand

Great Mattiscombe Sand in Peartree Cove viewed from the South West Coast Path.

Philip Halling

Ruined house at Hallsands

I presume this is a relic from the devastating floods of 1917.

Bill Boaden

Coastal path above Hallsands

Bill Boaden

Coastal path near Start Farm

It is a steady climb from Hallsands to this point, which is the highest for quite a long stretch.

Bill Boaden

The lane to Start Point

The lighthouse is just visible at the end. It is somewhat surprisingly a steady downhill walk to get to the point.

Bill Boaden

Start Point lighthouse

Unfortunately it was closed today and this is as far as one can get towards the headland. The gate helpfully tells you that it is a lighthouse.

Bill Boaden

South West Coastal Path signpost at Start Point

The path cuts across Start Point and this sign is not right at the end of the headland. This point is 168 miles from Poole and 462 miles from Minehead, according to the sign.

Bill Boaden