Hartland Quay is located on the Atlantic coast of
Devon, England, south of
Hartland Point and north of
Bude,
Cornwall. It experiences some of the roughest seas in winter and is a former harbour.
History
The harbour dated back to the time of
Henry VIII
Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is best known for his six marriages, and for his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. His disa ...
until a storm led to the complete destruction of the pier head and later the whole pier wall in 1887. Parts of the old formation stones can be seen at low tide. As well as evidence of a counter pier. The only evidence visible at all times is the lyme kiln. The old Customs House has been a hotel since 1886 and its former stables are now 'The Wrecker's Retreat' bar. The former corn and hay lofts are now hotel bedrooms. In 'The Wrecker's Retreat' are displayed memorabilia charting the history of Hartland Quay as well as displays of shipwrecks on the coast over the centuries. Also shown are the various films and television shows that have been filmed here. The former Coastguard cottages are now toilets, still a private residence, shop and museum of the quay. Current access to the sea and beach is provided by a slipway.
Film location
Hartland Quay has featured in a number of films, including
''Treasure Island'' (1950), ''
The War Zone'' (1995), ''
Element of Doubt (1996),
''Solomon Kane'' (2009), and
Rebecca
Rebecca, ; Syriac: , ) from the Hebrew (lit., 'connection'), from Semitic root , 'to tie, couple or join', 'to secure', or 'to snare') () appears in the Hebrew Bible as the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau. According to biblical ...
(2020).''
Shipwrecks
Several ships have been
wrecked at Hartland Quay including ''SS Rosalia'' and ''SS Ginetorix''. 19th century wrecks included ''Edward & Ann'' (1809), ''Test'' (1843), ''Eclipse'' (1865), ''Jenny Jones'' (1868), ''Zuma'' (1871), ''Deux Freres'' (1885), ''Royal Saxon'' (1886), ''Londos'' (1891), and ''Clipper'' (1895). Numerous other vessels have come to grief at
Hartland Point, a few miles to the north.
Amenities
*Hartland Quay is a popular local tourist destination and offers a view into an historic maritime past as well as accommodation, museum, unusual rock formations, rock pools and sandy coves.
*The Quay is at the start of one of the most challenging sections of the
South West Coast Path
The South West Coast Path is England's longest waymarked long-distance footpath and a National Trail. It stretches for , running from Minehead in Somerset, along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, to Poole Harbour in Dorset. Because it rises a ...
.
*Hartland Quay hosts motorcycle
hill climb events.
References
External links
{{coord, 50.9949, -4.5345, type:landmark_region:GB, display=title
Ports and harbours of Devon
Hartland, Devon