Plymbridge Woods Circular Walk

This 3mi/4.8km circular walk starts and ends in the National Trust Plymbridge Woods free car park (what3words: ///remit.jumps.cubes). There are so many different routes to take through this area, this walk takes you alongside the River Plym, through woodland, passing old railway viaducts and crossing bridges over the river. There’s usually a coffee van (Cafe Roma) parked up in the car park selling hot drinks, light snacks and ice cream. There are no toilets on this walk. Although this particular route is not fully wheelchair/pushchair accessible, there are flat, multi-use paths along an old railway line, that runs through the woods which are wheelchair/mobility scooter friendly. (Check National Trust website for more information) This walk is very dog friendly, with streams to splash in and woodland to explore.

The first half of the walk alongside the River Plym

Leaving the car park through the entrance, turn left and walk under a railway bridge then cross over the old stone bridge (Plym Bridge), turn right and walk down the lane with moss covered trees. When you see a sign with a map for the woods, take the path down some steps then over a boardwalk in the wooded area. We heard several robins singing in the trees here as we turned right after some steps, taking a track alongside the river. As we turned left and continued through the woodland trail with the river on our right, we saw our first fungi of the walk; cauliflower fungus at the base of a tree. As you pick up the main path again, keep an eye out for grey wagtails in the river, we saw one flying across the water as well as a heron flying very low through the trees. You’ll soon see a lovely spot on the right for accessing the river, popular with dogs and children, keep the main path as you continue along the stony track, listen out for goldcrests here, we also heard the sharp ‘kik! call of a great spotted woodpecker hiding somewhere in the trees.

When you arrive at an arrowed signpost, take the track straight ahead up the hill, passing a viaduct on your right. At the top of the hill by the old stone buildings, turn right, we heard a buzzard calling out, then saw three of them circling together in the sky. Arriving at the old railway line (which is now a shared path with cyclists) turn left and continue along this track, ignoring any paths on the left. We heard ravens and jays several times as we walked along this path, then looking out towards the trees in the distance, saw one of the ravens flying past. When you come to an old railway bridge, take the path to the right to then walk over the top of the bridge and along a path sheltered by trees. We did this walk after light rain showers, at this point the sun had come out and made this path look beautiful with raindrops glistening on the ferns. Keep an eye on the ground: under fallen leaves in this area we saw several dor beetles, (a type of dung beetle) that have metallic blue legs and sides of their body when the light catches them.

At the top of the slope, pass through the wooden gate then up some steps into a wooded area, turning left at the second set of steps. Along this track we heard more goldcrests and blue tits as we continued ahead, eventually passing a bench on a bend. Soon you’ll be able to see distant views of Dartmoor through some trees on the left, this walk felt very autumnal with moss covered stone walls, leaves turning yellow and passing plenty of different varieties of fungi. There’s lots to spot along the way, a twisted old chestnut tree, rock walls of an old slate quarry and a pond in the grounds of the Wrigley’s chewing gum factory. Ignore a path on your left and continue ahead, we heard more jays here and a nuthatch as we soon passed over a wooden bridge and through a kissing gate. We then heard goldfinches as we crossed over the road and picked up the track opposite, passing through another kissing gate and entering back into Plymbridge Woods.

Keep to the main track as you pass through woodland, we heard the high pitched squeal of firecrests in the trees above as we passed a swamp on the right. When you get to the red arrowed sign post, turn left and walk all the way down the hill, ignoring a track half way on your right. There were plenty of long tailed tits in this area, continuously calling out in the trees as we walked alongside a stream on our left. When you arrive at the end of this track, turn left down the lane and through a kissing gate, crossing the road and taking the path signposted as Plymbridge Woods. You’ll then cross over a wooden bridge, there’s a lovely ‘beach’ here by the water, a great place for splashing in, in hot weather (or any weather if you’re a dog!) Keep left and following the trodden path through the grass until you’ll eventually arrive at a kissing gate by the old stone Plym Bridge we crossed at the beginning. Turn right and onto the road and you’ll soon be back at the car park on the right. I’ll be posting more autumnal woodland walks soon, so keep an eye on my social media pages for updates.

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Jonathon Cauchois 9/29/26 Jonathon Cauchois 9/29/26

Otterton To High Peak Circular Walk

This 4.6mi/7.4km circular walk starts and ends in the village of Otterton. There are no car parks here, so find one of the quiet side roads to park on if arriving by car (Maunders Hill usually has plenty of roadside spaces). This walk takes you along quiet footpaths, past Ladram Bay, onto the coast path and up a steep track to High Peak. This walk is fairly strenuous in places, with rough terrain, especially the climb up to high peak (although this part is optional). Sturdy footwear with good grip is needed and parts of the coast path do get muddy after very wet weather. There is an honesty cafe at Stantyway Farm, as well as a chance to stop off for refreshments at The Three Rocks at Ladram Bay. Once back in Otterton you have the choice of The Kings Arms pub and Otterton Mill for food and drink. Dogs are welcome on the whole walk, just be aware of keeping them on the lead around any livestock and near the cliff edge.

After parking on Maunders Hill, walk up the road and turn left down ‘Behind Hayes’. Continue along this road until you see an ‘unmetalled footpath’ sign pointing right up Lea Lane. Take this track that will soon turn stony, and then becomes sheltered by trees leaning overhead. It’s a great area to spot fungi growing on the sides of the track before it turns into a gravel path. Ignore a footpath that you’ll pass on your right, instead continue round a bend to the left. Here I heard goldfinches flying over, then saw swallows dipping down over the fields on either side of the path. There were also several speckled wood butterflies flitting between the leaves along the hedgerows as I reached the end of the path. Have a quick look over at the sea ahead of you, before turning left up the lane where you’ll soon pass Stantyway Honesty Cafe on the left, a good refreshment stop before carrying on down the lane on the right with the T junction sign beside it.

When you arrive at Monks Cottage, take the public footpath to the right, where you’ll soon pass through a gate into a field with stunning sea views over Ladram Bay. Keep to the right and walk the trodden path through the field, on a clear day you’ll be able to see Sidmouth’s red cliffs as well as the white cliffs near Branscombe and Beer. At the bottom of the field, turn left and continue along the path towards Ladram Bay holiday park. Here a flock of linnet flew over the field calling out, I sometimes see rabbits popping out of the hedgerows here too, but not today. Be sure to notice the big hill ahead of you, encompassed by trees, this is Peak Hill and High Peak, which we will soon be climbing. Once passed through a kissing gate, you’ll enter into a field owned by the holiday park, leave this field at the other end and walk down the slope, taking the path on the right passing Ladram Thatched Cottage on your left. If you want a refreshment stop, you’ll soon be passing The Three Rocks on your left (check the opening times).

Pick up the path to the left of the play park, where you’ll soon see a coast path sign, opening up into a field. Walk straight ahead towards another gate, then up the dusty track and over a board walk. Parts of this track will be sheltered by hedges and trees, the shade very much welcome on a hot day, there were also lots of sloe berries growing on the blackthorn here. Listen out for buzzards, they can usually be spotted circling above the fields on the left, with views of the heaths in the distance. After an incline you’ll pass through a kissing gate (with lovely views of Ladram stacks if you look back behind you) and into a wooded area. This can be a bit of a workout walking up this hill whilst also dodging the tree roots underfoot, it was lovely hearing the goldcrests calling out in the trees here, and before long the track will soon open up again at the top. Continue ahead until you see a stony track on your right. This is the route to High Peak, if you’re fit and able, I always think it’s worth the steep climb up the uneven, stony track and wonky steps to the trig point at the top, for the panoramic views of the East Devon coast and countryside. There were so many swallows flying about at the top when I did this walk, as well as a family of buzzards hovering above. As I carefully walked back down the track, I heard Jays calling out in the woods below.

Don’t forget to look back as you leave through the kissing gate

Once back at the bottom of the track, turn right and walk the path with pine trees on either side of it. When you get to a crossroads, take the path to the left signposted ‘Bar’s Lane, Otterton’. This is a lovely leafy lane with teasing views of the rolling hills between the trees on the right. I usually hear blackbirds and wrens foraging in the brambles here, then hearing their alarm call when they think they’ve been spotted. Take the signposted path on the right down a shaded sunken lane (Radway Lane), the dappled light through the trees was gorgeous here on the moss covered tree roots. When you get to a choice of two paths, turn left and walk up a dirt track, again shaded by trees. When you reach the end of this part of the track, turn right and walk down a gravel path (Chockenhole Lane). Ignore a permissive footpath on your left at the end and turn right where you’ll now arrive onto Ottery Street.

Dappled light on the moss covered tree roots

Turn left and walk down the lane towards Otterton, being careful of any traffic that may pass you. You’ll soon pass a sign welcoming you back into the village, keep walking along this lane, passing beautiful thatched cottages as you do so. Turn right when you reach the main road through Otterton, passing a telephone box library on your right and soon a stream flowing through the village on your left. You’ll soon pass The Kings Arms pub on your right, another great place to stop off for lunch or a drink. When you arrive at the village green, cross the road opposite the bus stop and walk up Maunders Hill where we began the walk. Otterton Mill is also just down from the green for food, drink and a look around the Mill and gift shop. If you enjoyed this walk, be sure to keep an eye on other coast path walks I’ll be putting on here soon.

At the end of our walk by the village green

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