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Natural England publishes new Countryside Code

Natural England published a new edition of the Countryside Code on 1 April 2021. See the new edition here. Please follow the new Code whenever you are in the countryside.

Updated 3 April 2021

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Booking a holiday with Ramblers Walking Holidays?

If you are booking a holiday with 'Ramblers Walking Holidays', you can help our club by nominating Honiton Walking Club for a contribution through The Walking Partnership [Click for more] scheme. When your holiday has been completed Honiton Walking Club receives a contribution which we use to subsidise our club's walking programme, including buying maps and walking route books.

For more information email honitonwalkingclub.info@gmail.com

Longer walk photos - Lyme Regis Coach walk

Chard Walk scheduled for Tue 20 Aug 2019

>> The route will be similar to the account below. Sadly Brian C is unable to come, so Linda M will lead the walk instead. <<

5 miles with one stiff climb. Uneven in places with some brambles and nettles and a total of 8 stiles.

The walk starts from the disused Chard reservoir car park, plenty of parking but no toilets. An easy 1.5 k walk takes us along the length of the reservoir. There will be time to observe the various wild birds that live on the lake.

We then begin a steady upward climb on a paved road towards Sprays Hill. The last section of this is hard work but the views from the top make the climb worthwhile.

We will pause at the top to admire the panoramic view and then proceed downward across open fields ( first stile).

We cross a small stream (footbridge + stile) and head up for a short distance across a barley field to join Knapps Lane. Following the lane takes us through Chaffcombe Village and a chance to visit its interesting church and village pound.

From Chaffcombe we again follow footpaths, mostly downhill through a variety of countryside (more stiles). Some of the fields are quite uneven and good ankle support is recommended as are long trousers as there is a section with nettles.

The walk finishes back at the car park.

Recce account written by Patsy C.

Total Ascent/Dscent: 480 ft, Max Elevation 520 ft, Min Elevation 270 ft

Steps Bridge, Teign Valley, Castle Drogo, scheduled for 6th Aug by coach, hills 8 miles

alt. Castle Drogo & Teign Gorge, hills 4/5 miles

Recce photos and account by Ian M, Walk Leader

The longer walkers will be dropped off at Steps Bridges for an 8 mile walk along the Teign Valley, past Fingle Bridge and ascending the gorge to Hunters Tor and then along to Castle Drogo.

The shorter walkers will be taken on to Castle Drogo for coffee before a 4 mile walk dropping steeply into the Teign Gorge then along a riverside path before ascending more gradually back to Castle Drogo.

There is no fee for entry to the restaurant at Castle Drogo but NT members are askWearing long rred to bring their cards and register entry so Castle Drogo can claim back from their head office.

The coach will leave for home from Castle Drogo at 4-30pm

East Budleigh and Bystock Nature Reserve, scheduled for 28 July 2019

A moderate walk of approx 5 miles, (ascent/descent approx 880 feet) mostly on footpaths and tracks, much through common and wooded areas, including a couple of stretches of waterside paths. There are some longish inclines but mostly more gentle decent, the longest one is right the end.

Recce photos and description by Erica T, Walk Leader

Lynmouth Coach Walk, scheduled for 09 July 2019

Longer Walk: County Gate to Lynmouth coastal, 7 miles

Shorter Walk: Countisbury Common to Lynmouth, moderate, 4.5 miles

Hawkchurch Area Walk, scheduled for Tue 25 June, 4.5 miles

Lovely views and no steep ascents or descents, but rolling hills meant lots of ups and downs as one might expect in Devon/Dorset.

Text and photos by Doreen K.

Coach Walk, Mere - 11 June 2019

The June coach walk is based on the Wiltshire village of Mere, and gives the opportunity to walk on on some of the most ancient tracks in Britain, dating back 2,500 years. These tracks form part of an Iron Age track network, pre Roman, which ran along ridges and linked the Thames at Streatley to the mouth of the Axe river.

The longer walk of about 7 miles starts in Kingston Deverill and joins the route of the shorter walk (5miles) at White Sheet Hill before returning to Mere. The shorter walk starts in Mere and climbs around a feature called Great Bottom, a large, farmed, bowl depression. The elevation profile for both walks is similar with a total ascent and descent of about 600 feet, the highest point being at 800 ft.

Places are available too for people wishing to visit the National Trust property of Stourhead which is very close to Mere. Dropoff would be around 10.30am for pick up about 4.45 pm. There is a coffee shop and restaurant there as well as the house and a superb easy garden/lake walk.

Journey time to Mere is about 1 hour 15 minutes.

The next walk, on 28 May, is not to Smeatharpe because of the impassable bridle paths and bogs. The alternative walk will be from Colyton, east along the river and then inland on a 5 1/2 circular route. No steep hills or descents. We will be parking in the Colyton car park, where there’s a fairly modest charge. The walk will start from there so if anyone wants to park elsewhere they will need to meet us in the car park.

Coach Walk, Salcombe - 14 May 2019

The recce group, Keith, Doreen, Linda and Brian arrived at Marlborough near Salcombe to stop off at Ashby's cafe for a quick toilet stop for the longer walkers and a welcome 25 minute coffee break for the short walkers and those wishing to remain in Salcombe.

The longer walkers made their way onto the footpath opposite for the 6/7 mile walk to Salcombe. They headed on the easy underfoot footpaths towards the South West coastal path, with distant views up and down the coast and inland, where they then turned and headed towards Salcombe. Long walkers can avoid the last mile along a road by taking the short ferry trip back to Salcombe (£3.90 payable on board).

The shorter walkers returned to the coach before driving the short distance to Salcombe. There are toilets at the car park in Salcombe. After a short stroll through the centre of the town passing shops and cafes we arrived at the East Portlemouth foot ferry. The 2 minute ferry crossing, cost £1.60 (payable on-board), made its way towards the beautiful soft sands of Fisherman's Cove and Small's Cove. After disembarking and walking along a tarmac track for 5 minutes we arrived at Mill Bay (toilets here) and to the start of the 3.5 mile walk to Gara Rock and Rickham Common. The start of the walk is a lovely tree lined walk, guaranteed to get your heart pumping. It rises steadily towards Gara Rock, affording us wonderful views, where we stopped for lunch. We returned along the edge of the coastal path which like all coastal paths requires sure footing and attention as there is mostly hedge and no railings. Once again we returned via the foot ferry to Salcombe (again £1.60 payable on board) in time for shopping or coffee before returning to the car park to leave on the coach at 4.30 p.m.

For those who wish to remain in Salcombe there is a Maritime Museum, a Distilling company, a beautiful harbour and beach, tourist information centre, lots of shops, ice-cream & chocolate dairy, and some pubs and cafes. Don't forget to take the foot ferry which runs continuously throughout the day for the experience (£1.60 payable each way)!

Next walk: Woodbury Castle & Hayes Barton on 30 Apr 2019,

5 miles, moderate

Recce account by Linda M: Making our way from Woodbury Castle car park we crossed the road to Estuary car park opposite where we were met with wonderful views across the heathland towards the coast and the Exe estuary. We made our way from here down through the heath towards Four Firs car park before joining the East Devon Way with the distinctive pink arrow and foxglove symbol. We strolled past great big conifers before reaching the gravel workings and quarry pool which is home to water fowl. This area, known as ‘Fryingpans’ had a proliferation of wildflowers and the occasional butterfly. Before long we walked through Wheathill Plantation reaching Hayes Wood just before Hayes Barton, the home of Sir Walter Raleigh (not open to the public but worth a look all the same). We continued north to Yettington where we changed course, heading North-West towards Woodbury Castle passing Crook Plantation and Uphams Plantation where we spotted a lizard in the heath.

For plant lovers, a few we spotted on 11 April are shown below: [Photos: Brian H; Botanist: Michael S.]

Next walk: 16 April,13.30, Pen Hill & Hatway Hill, Challenging hills, 8 miles.

Our next walk is on 16th April 2019 and is an all-day 8 mile walk in Penn Hill & Hatway Hill led by John B. John, Val and Keith M who did the recce describe this as a challenging walk with a steep climb out of Sidbury and then a series of ascents and descents across some fairly uneven ground.

Please note the meeting time of 9.30 a.m. at the Catholic Church in Honiton for this walk. Don't forget to bring a packed lunch!

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Next walk: 2nd April,13.30, Haldon Forest Park, Easy, 4 miles.

Walk Leader: John B.

Just a couple of uphill stretches nothing to cause a problem to average walkers.

In addition we’ll have the opportunity to visit the outside of the Haldon Belvedere Tower from which there are good views over the Devon countryside.

For those wishing to forgo refreshments at the end of the walk there is an opportunity to hire a Segway or perhaps a walk in the treetops!

REVISED: Next walk: 19 March Otterton (Was to be Culm Valley Area)

Culm Valley Area - Butterleigh, Moderate, 4 miles The route takes us across fields and then up into the hills, fine views. Sharp descent before a quiet road return alongside Burn River.

Unfortunately the planned walk route on Tuesday 19th March has been changed, at short notice, due to unfavourable underfoot conditions in Culm Valley area Butterleigh.

The new route is a 4 mile (approximate) slightly challenging coastal walk from Otterton Mill. Along the clifftops with beautiful views turning before Ladram Bay to return to Otterton.

Meeting as usual at 1 p.m. at The Holy Family Catholic Church. This will be the last walk at the earlier start time.

Recce for next walk, Killerton on Tue 05 February 2019

[Author Linda M, Walk Leader]

Linda led a a 4.5 mile easy scenic walk near the Killerton parkland > Click here to see route < on a beautiful crisp winter’s day! Brian, Michael and Alyson proved to be great walking companions!

Within a quarter mile past the Killerton House entrance we stopped at the ‘Danes Wood’ car park where there was plenty of parking. We navigated our way back to Killerton House taking the footpath opposite the entrance into Sparrow Park towards Budlake Old Post Office following the wide path which once was a carriage drive. Within a short distance over the bridge we turned left down some wooden steps passing through oak trees that lined the old carriageway. Before crossing the B3181 towards Sprydon House we passed Holly Lodge, a thatched cottage made from volcanic local stone.

After walking alongside a field we skirted around the old walled garden of Sprydon House, a handsome Georgian house which was the estate’s dower house for any generations. The walk took us past a natural pond and several small orchards. We crossed over a wood bridge on entering Rattlecott Wood where we enjoyed attractive mixed woodland with lovely views of Killerton House in the distance. #Walking straight ahead towards Hazelstone Wood we eventually arrived on the B3181 where we turned left towards Ivy Cottage. We observed some large Red Ruby cows feeding in the opposite field and eventually passed some lovely thatched cottages before arriving at Mooreadge Farm where we saw some beautiful shire horses.

We made our way over a small wood bridge into some boggy farmland towards Reeds Cottage where we disturbed two very noisy geese! Here we also observed a buzzard flying low overhead. Shortly afterwards we crossed over the footbridge to Broadley Copse until we reached the road once again at Danes Cottages where we returned to Danes Woods car park!

Recce for next walk, in Escot Area on 22 January 2019

Barbara and I (Ian M) carried out a "recee" this morning (11 January). It was over 10 years since we last did this walk so I needed to refresh my memory. It was remarkably good under foot so let us hope this continues.

The walk starts from Escot , down the side of the River Tale, under the A30 to Escot Church and then down and through Taleford. We then take the footpath up to Birdcage Farm. We then go under the A30 again and take the lanes down to Larkbeare and back to Escot via the back entrance, just over 4 miles.

We had a coffee at the Stable Restaurant and they have noted that on the 22nd there could be a number of customers just after 3-30 pm. They normally close at 4pm.