Broad Bench

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Devon Torridge

England

Broad Bench

Welcome Mouth Waterfall
Welcome Mouth Waterfall Credit: thejackrustles

Broad Bench is a prominent coastal feature located in Devon, England. It is classified as a headland and point, jutting out into the English Channel. Situated to the east of Plymouth, it lies between Wembury Bay to the west and Heybrook Bay to the east.

The headland is characterized by its rugged cliffs, which rise steeply from the water's edge. These cliffs are composed of a mixture of sedimentary rocks, including limestone, sandstone, and shale, creating a visually striking landscape. The area is known for its unique geology, with numerous fossils and geological formations found along its shores.

Broad Bench offers breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline and is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. There are several walking trails that traverse the headland, allowing visitors to explore its diverse flora and fauna. The area is home to a range of seabirds, including gulls and cormorants, which can often be seen perched on the cliffs or flying overhead.

The headland is also of historical significance, with remnants of an Iron Age fortification known as Bovisand Fort located on its western side. This fort played a role in defending the coast during the Napoleonic Wars and is now a scheduled monument, attracting history enthusiasts and archaeology buffs.

Overall, Broad Bench is a captivating coastal feature that offers a blend of natural beauty, geological wonders, and historical intrigue. Its stunning cliffs, diverse wildlife, and rich history make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the Devon coastline.

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Broad Bench Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.947444/-4.5436752 or Grid Reference SS2119. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Welcome Mouth Waterfall
Welcome Mouth Waterfall
Sea view from holiday cottage in Welcombe
Sea view from holiday cottage in Welcombe
St Nectan's Well, Welcombe
St Nectan's Well, Welcombe
Cut Mark St Nectan's Church, Welcombe <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.welcombe.org/church.htm" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.welcombe.org/church.htm">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>

Not on OS DB but shown on old maps.
Cut Mark St Nectan's Church, Welcombe
LinkExternal link Not on OS DB but shown on old maps.
Views out to sea near South Hole
Views out to sea near South Hole
St Nectan's Church, Welcombe
St Nectan's Church, Welcombe
St Nectan's Well, Welcombe Well, one of the wells. There's another St Nectan's Well at Stoke, Hartland <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/SS2324">SS2324</a>
St Nectan's Well, Welcombe
Well, one of the wells. There's another St Nectan's Well at Stoke, Hartland SS2324
Waterfalls at Welcombe Mouth Lots of rain recently, so lots of water for the waterfall. You can also see two people on the stepping stones.
Waterfalls at Welcombe Mouth
Lots of rain recently, so lots of water for the waterfall. You can also see two people on the stepping stones.
Embury Beacon An Iron-age promontory fort.
Embury Beacon
An Iron-age promontory fort.
West to Embury Beacon The hill in the distance ends abruptly with 500 ft. cliffs on the far side. From this point the sea is completely obscured.
West to Embury Beacon
The hill in the distance ends abruptly with 500 ft. cliffs on the far side. From this point the sea is completely obscured.
North of Putsole Farm View north over birchwood and gorse to the plantation around Golden Park.
North of Putsole Farm
View north over birchwood and gorse to the plantation around Golden Park.
Folded strata at Welcombe Mouth
Folded strata at Welcombe Mouth
An adder below Knap Head This adder (Vipera berus) was basking in the sun on the coast path as I was descending from Knap Head, my footsteps disturbed it, but I was able to photograph it quickly before it disappeared into the vegetation.  I think with its brown colouring this is a female.
An adder below Knap Head
This adder (Vipera berus) was basking in the sun on the coast path as I was descending from Knap Head, my footsteps disturbed it, but I was able to photograph it quickly before it disappeared into the vegetation. I think with its brown colouring this is a female.
Welcombe Mouth Waterfall
Welcombe Mouth Waterfall
Evening at Welcombe Mouth View of beach and cliffs at Welcombe Mouth early evening
Evening at Welcombe Mouth
View of beach and cliffs at Welcombe Mouth early evening
Embury Beacon The defensive earthwork of Embury Beacon an Iron Age hill fort. The fort is situated above the cliffs on the coast and over time part of the hill fort has slipped into the sea as a result of coastal erosion.
Embury Beacon
The defensive earthwork of Embury Beacon an Iron Age hill fort. The fort is situated above the cliffs on the coast and over time part of the hill fort has slipped into the sea as a result of coastal erosion.
View north from Embury Beacon View north from the Iron Age hill fort on Embury Beacon. In the background the coastline stretches towards Hartland Point.
View north from Embury Beacon
View north from the Iron Age hill fort on Embury Beacon. In the background the coastline stretches towards Hartland Point.
Coast path at Embury Beacon The South West Coast Path passing the defensive earthwork protecting Embury Beacon hill fort.
Coast path at Embury Beacon
The South West Coast Path passing the defensive earthwork protecting Embury Beacon hill fort.
Show me another place!

Broad Bench is located at Grid Ref: SS2119 (Lat: 50.947444, Lng: -4.5436752)

Administrative County: Devon

District: Torridge

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///blurts.suspends.canal. Near Flexbury, Cornwall

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.947444,-4.5436752
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.9514653/-4.544604
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 50.9502901/-4.5383931
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 50.9440235/-4.5415137
Embury Beacon
Archaeological Site: fortification
Historic: archaeological_site
Historic Civilization: iron-age
Wikidata: Q17647498
Lat/Long: 50.9472175/-4.5398555
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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