Baggy Point Coastguard Pole

Standing guard on Devon's dramatic coastline for over a century, this Victorian signal pole cuts a lonely figure against the Atlantic winds. The Coastguard Pole at Baggy Point served as a vital communication link when ships fought treacherous waters off the North Devon coast - semaphore flags would flutter urgent messages between vessels and shore stations.

What remains today is the weathered wooden structure itself, reached by a bracing clifftop walk from Croyde. The pole's simple presence tells a proper story of maritime rescue, though there's precious little interpretation to flesh out the details. History buffs will appreciate the connection to Devon's seafaring past, while the surrounding headland offers cracking views across to Lundy Island on clear days.

Families staying at nearby sites like Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park will find it makes a decent stretch-the-legs expedition, though restless children might lose interest after twenty minutes of peering at old timber. The walk itself proves more rewarding than the destination - Baggy Point's clifftops are stunning, with the coastguard pole serving as a good excuse to venture out from Braunton and beyond.

Allow an hour for the round trip from the nearest car park, longer if you fancy exploring the headland properly. Best combined with a day at Croyde Beach or the village itself rather than making a special journey.