East Devon Way s A new series of circular walks developed by the East Devon Ramblers to help you explore the wildlife, heritage and places of interest just off the East Devon Way. h. i. l. g. k. b. c. d. e. f. j. m. a. Please use sustainable forms of transport where possible. To plan your journey please visit www.travelinesw.com or call 0871 200 22 33 Crown copyright and database rights 2015 Ordnance Survey 100023746
East Devon Way s More details, including maps and step by step walk directions, are available for all of the circulars via the East Devon AONB website or by registering on the Ramblers Routes pages of the Ramblers website. www.eastdevonaonb.org.uk www.ramblers.org.uk Refreshments available Free car parking Public toilets Suitable for dogs on leads Heritage features & forts Pay & display car parking Bus links available East Devon District Council Nature Reserve RSPB Nature Reserve a. Woodbury Approx time: 2hrs 30min Starts at Woodbury castle and follows tracks and footpaths to Woodbury village with shops and places to eat. Excellent views of the Exe Estuary on the return leg. b. Aylesbeare Common Approx time: 2hrs 40min Leisurely walk from Newton Poppleford to Aylesbeare and Harpford commons, Rich in birdlife and with fantastic views of Lyme Bay and, on a good day, all the way to Dartmoor. c. Newton Poppleford & River Otter Distance: 5.5 miles Approx time: 2hrs 40min A lovely walk through orchards, hamlets and along the River Otter to the Old Mill at Tipton St John. Wind your way back along the river and perhaps stop in at the excellent Golden Lion pub. d. Fire Beacon Hill Distance: 4.35 miles Approx time: 2hrs 45min This walk takes in the beautiful heathland and spectacular views of the coast from Fire Beacon Hill Local Nature Reserve before dropping down to enjoy the woodlands of Harpford Woods and a gentle stroll along the disused Sidmouth to Honiton railway. Passes the Bowd Inn pub at half way point of the walk. e. Sidbury & Buckton Hill Distance: 3.5 miles Approx time: 2hrs 15 min This walk has many fine views both of Sidbury and towards the sea at Sidmouth. There are two steep hills, one ascent and one descent, but the route is not beyond the capabilities of an average walker. f. Sweetcombe Distance: 6.5 miles Approx time: 3hrs 50min Lovely off-road route with views either side of Buckton Hill, passing through a rich mix of habitats and farmland. Starts and finishes in the picturesque village of Sidbury with pub, shop, and buses to and from the coast. g. Knapp Copse Distance: 5 miles Approx time: 3hrs This walk starts and finishes at Knapp Copse nature reserve, a mix of ancient woodland, spring line mires and traditionally managed farmland. This undulating route will reward the walker with fine views of the Roncombe Valley and longer views to the sea at Sidmouth. h. Church Green & Farway Distance: 3 miles Approx time: 1hr 50min A short walk in the Coly Valley through picturesque Devon farmland and the village of Farway with its thatched cottages i. Northleigh & Coly Valley Approx time: 2hrs 10 min A delightful walk in the Coly Valley with outstanding rural views towards the sea. This walk starts in the village of Northleigh which has an attractive flint and stone church dating from the 14 th and 15 th Century. The church of St Giles has a beautifully carved doorway, wooden screens and Jacobean pulpit. j. Colyton to the Sea Distance: 3.5 miles Approx time: 2hrs 15 min Starting in the historic town of Colyton this walk takes you along the Coly River and through Seaton Marshes nature reserve to Seaton and the sea. Return via the same route or catch the Seaton tram. k. Musbury Castle Approx time: 2hrs 10 min This route starts in the pretty village of Musbury and follows the East Devon Way up to Musbury Castle, an Iron age hill fort with great views over the Axe Valley and on to the sea. Walk continues on to Combpyne, with a possible extension to see Combpyne Church. l. Trinity Hill Approx time: 2hrs 20 min This walk starts in the healthland reserve of Trinity Hill and passes through Forestry Commission woodland and down through Uplyme pinetum with its broadleaved woodland and towering species of conifers. A short extension to this walk brings you to Uplyme where you can get refreshments, link with public transport or continue on the East Devon Way to Lyme Regis. m. Uplyme Approx time: 2hrs This route takes in a number of superb panoramas of Uplyme and the Dorset coast beyond. Passing right under the iconic Cannington viaduct, this walk takes you through flower rich meadows, wooded valleys and country lanes before returning to Uplyme where you can get refreshments, link with public transport or continue on the East Devon Way to Lyme Regis.
14 new circular walks on The East Devon Way In collaboration with the AONB, experienced members of the East Devon Ramblers James Baldwin and Ted Swan have devised a number of new circular walks, each using part of the East Devon Way. These range in length from 3 to 8 miles and are in response to feedback from EDW users wanting a range of shorter walks that start and finish in the same place. Some can only be accessed by car but as many as possible can be reached by public transport. The walks pick out many of the best features of the AONB the Pebblebed Heathlands and Commons, the Otter, Sid, Coly and Axe river valleys, the hilltops and woodlands, the unspoilt countryside and the fabulous views. Details of these new walks can be found on our website, or via Ramblers www.ramblers.org.uk The East Devon Way was created over 20 years ago. It is a 38-mile waymarked route passing through the heart of the East Devon AONB between Exmouth and Lyme Regis and provides an inland alternative to the South West Coast Path. It shows the very best features of this special landscape. These include the Pebblebed Heathlands and Commons, the Otter, Sid, Coly and Axe river valleys, the hilltops and woodlands, the unspoilt countryside and the fabulous views. However, many users of the path do not have time to walk the whole route and have requested some shorter circular walks that can be completed in half a day, but which give a flavour of the varied landscapes. The original route was surveyed in the early 1990s by Eric Mawer of Ramblers East Devon Group. Once again, the AONB has enlisted the support of this Group. Experienced East Devon Ramblers members James Baldwin and Ted Swan have devised 14 new circular walks, each using part of the East Devon Way, picking out various features of the landscape. These range in length from 3 to 8 miles. Most can be reached by public transport, but a few in the more remote spots will need a car for access. Details of each of these walks, including maps, can be found elsewhere on our website, or via Ramblers www.ramblers.org.uk Just enter the nearest location to your intended walk - Sidbury is a good central point in the AONB - then click on Search and then click on the orange-brown circles on the map. If you are not a member of Ramblers, you will need to register to get the full details for each walk, but there is no charge for this. The 14 circular walks are as follows (from west to east along the East Devon Way): 1. Woodbury Common difficulty: leisurely 4.5 miles / 7.2 km
Start and finish at Woodbury Castle hill fort. This walk follows tracks and footpaths to Woodbury village with good views of the Exe Estuary. 2. Colaton Raleigh Common difficulty: leisurely 5 miles / 8 km Start and finish at Woodbury Castle hill fort. Around 4000 BC Neolithic farmers started clearing deciduous woodland to create pasture for their animals. Further clearance, grazing and burning over the centuries created the heathland, featuring the Pebble Beds. 3. Newton Poppleford to Aylesbeare and Harpford Commons difficulty: leisurely 4.6 miles / 7.5 km Start and finish at Newton Poppleford Church. Walk from Newton Poppleford to Aylesbeare and Harpford Commons. 4. Newton Poppleford and the Otter Valley difficulty: moderate 5.5 miles / 8.8 km Start and finish at Newton Poppleford Church. This walk will take you through the hamlet of Southerton, the villages of Venn Ottery and Tipton St John and the valley of the River Otter. 5. Sidbury and Buckton Hill difficulty: leisurely 3.3 miles / 5.3 km Start and finish at Sidbury. This walk has many fine views both of Sidbury and towards the sea at Sidmouth and beyond. There are two steep hills, one ascent and one descent, but the route should not be beyond the capabilities of the average walker. 6. Sidbury, Harcombe and Sweetcombe difficulty: moderate 6.3 miles / 10.2 km Start and finish at Sidbury. This walk takes in the hills and valleys around Sidbury, Harcombe and Sweetcombe. There is an abundance of wildlife and it is a rich habitat for wild flowers. 7. Knapp Copse, Mincombe and Roncombe difficulty: moderate 4.9 miles / 7.9 km Start and finish at Knapp Copse (south-east of A375 Putts Corner). This is a hilly walk from Knapp Copse Nature Reserve car park. The undulating route will reward the walker with fine views of the surrounding countryside and longer views to the sea at Sidmouth. 8. Church Green and Coly Valley difficulty: leisurely 3 miles / 4.8 km Start and finish at Church Green (near Farway). A short walk in the Coly Valley through picturesque Devon farmland and the village of Farway with its thatched cottages. 9. Northleigh and Coly Valley
difficulty: leisurely 4 miles / 6.5 km Start and finish at Northleigh. A delightful walk in the Coly Valley with outstanding rural views towards the sea. 10. Colyton, Shute Hill and Axe Valley difficulty: moderate 8.1 miles / 13.1 km Start and finish at Colyton. This walk covers part of the Axe Valley and surrounding countryside with superb views of Musbury Castle hill fort and down the Axe estuary to the sea. 11. Colyton to the Sea linear difficulty: leisurely 3.4 miles / 5.5 km (or 6.8 miles / 11 km if return on foot) Start and finish at Colyton. A walk along the Coly River through the Axe Estuary Wetlands to Seaton and the sea. Return by tram, bus or on foot. 12. Musbury Castle and Combpyne difficulty: moderate 4.4 miles / 7 km Start and finish at Musbury Church. From Musbury to Musbury Castle hill fort and Combpyne. 13. Trinity Hill difficulty: leisurely 4.5 miles / 7.2 km Start and finish at Trinity Hill Nature Reserve (south of A35 Raymond s Hill). Through the Trinity Hill Local Nature Reserve to look at the disused Cannington railway viaduct. 14. Uplyme and Cannington Viaduct difficulty: moderate 3.7 miles / 5.9 km Start and finish at Uplyme. The route goes past the church at Uplyme and on to Yawl. Having passed Carswell Farm and climbed Knoll Hill the disused Cannington railway viaduct comes into view. Passing under the viaduct the route goes along Cuckoo Lane past Horseman s Hill and back to Uplyme.