Can you legally access the village of Clovelly, Devon without paying the admission fee?

1/12/2023 3:02:41 PM

Looking at the official South West Coast Path website provides a hint as to what’s going on: Clovelly to Hartland Quay section says "The parking charge at Clovelly includes the entrance fee to their Visitor Centre so can appear expensive if you are just going for a walk along the Coast Path."

Visit Devon says "There is an entrance fee payable to the village that covers parking and admission to the village, information film showing, two museums in the village and nearby Clovelly Court Gardens" but OpenStreetMap shows the admission barrier at the east end of the visitor centre on the path to the village.

Taking all this together, you’ll see some of it if you walk in on the coast path, but how much is another matter, and it’s a long walk. Similarly getting the bus (519 or 319) and walking down the road should get you some external views, but probably little inside. An independent site about the coast path suggests the possibility of good exterior views without mentioning the need to pay.

1/12/2023 11:34:53 AM

What is the truth legally?

The public right of passage is a defining characteristic of a highway. See for example Highways in England and
Wales on Wikipedia or
the definition in Halsbury’s Laws of
England.

As I understand it, highways are sometimes called "public highways" to
emphasize that they’re open to the public, not because there were
other types of highways.

And practically, has anyone gone in without paying and how did the owners react?

I haven’t been there in person. But in November 2022, the North Devon Ramblers’
Association invited for a
walk
along the coast to Clovelly on the occasion of the annual Herring Festival, where they note:

On the walk you have the option of going into Clovelly to see the Festival if you wish to do so; however we understand it is unlikely there will be the usual free entry into the village and there will be an admittance charge

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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