Habitat type: Cliffs and clifftop heath
Size of reserve: 2 hectares / 5 acres
OS map number: 111
Grid reference: SS 200 046 (entrance to north where the South West Coast Path crosses the reserve)
Best time to visit: All year
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Directions
1 mile (1.6 km) south of Bude, on the road to Widemouth Bay, opposite the Chough Hotel.
Access
There is no parking here. The South West Coast Path crosses the reserve.
Characteristic wildlife of this reserve
The sea campion is a low growing perennial, with mats or cushions of waxy grey-green leaves and white flowers that bloom from June to August. It is abundant on the cliffs.
Thrift is also widespread here. Its narrow, dark green leaves form a tufted cushion from which the plant’s dense globe-shaped heads of pink flowers appear, earlier than the campion, blossoming from April.
Half of the world's population of grey seals are found around British coasts. Grey seals may be seen frolicking off Phillips' Point. The males are larger than the females, with broad shoulders and a heavy muzzle. The females have a generally slimmer profile, and tend to be paler than the male, although these seals actually have a wide variety of coat colours and patterns. Both have the characteristic ‘Roman nose’ in profile. These seals feed mainly on fish. An adult is likely to eat 2 to 3% of their body weight a day.
Other information
The reserve was purchased for the Trust in 1983 by Mr Rennie Bere.
