Upottery Geocache Loop

Today we went for a short (just under 3.5 miles) walk around Upottery in East Devon. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this place, Upottery is an idyllic little village, nestled into the Otter Valley, just off of the A30 close to Honiton. Here we had a series of Geocaches to do, which would take us on a walk around the village, through country lanes and footpaths. As it’s a fairly quiet Village, we were able to park on the roadside, just along from the local pub the ‘Sidmouth Arms’ , close to a crossroads.

We parked just up the road from the Sidmouth Arms. This pub was looking very inviting.

From here we walked down past the pub, and then took the first turning on the left, with St Mary’s Church on our right. Here we noticed an array of smilestones laid out around a War Memorial, I assume these were painted by the local children in the village. A lot of them were painted with rainbows and were thanking the NHS, obviously due to the pandemic we are currently dealing with.

Beautiful Thatch Cottages, with St Mary’s Church behind, and smilestones around the war memorial in the foreground.

After turning left on this road, we walked down past a cottage on our left, and were treated to beautiful views of the countryside ahead of us. From here we followed the road all the way around, past a house selling hand picked flowers for a small donation going towards their village hall. We soon came to our first geocache beside a footbridge over a stream. I won’t give anything away to anyone who wants to enjoy doing these caches, but some of the containers were rather interesting. For those of you unaware of what geocaching is, its a worldwide treasure hunt, a bit like letter boxing, but using GPS and a free app on your phone to log when you’ve found them. It’s pretty straightforward really, all you need is a pen and the app on your phone!

We came to our first geocache, by the bridge.

The River Otter passing under the bridge.

We took this road all the way up, soon turning left at the first turning we came to. Here was another geocache we found, before carrying on up this road, taking in the views of the village as we passed farm gates to our left. As we found another geocache by one of these farm gates, I spotted a buzzard circling above us and swooping down a few times towards the hedgerows. After watching the buzzard for a while, we then continued down this road, where we soon arrived at a footpath to our left. Walking along this path, we spotted plenty of wildlife, amongst them were red admiral and cabbage white butterflies, as well as being surprised by a couple of golden-ringed dragonflies that stood out from afar with their black and yellow markings. We were soon surprised to see a river flowing infront of us, which was of course the River Otter. At first we wondered how we would cross this river, until we got closer, then spotted the wooden foot bridge to the right.

Countryside Views from the footbridge.

Looking at the River Otter flowing under the bridge.

We stopped on the bridge for a while, watching the river gushing past, before (eventually!) finding the next geocache which was situated in this area. From here we then walked up through the field, crossing a stile, then turning right up a leafy lane. Once we came to a junction on this lane, we kept to our left, where we soon found ourselves looking for another geocache in this series. Once found, we took a moment to take in the views of the rolling hills over the nearby gates before taking the path to our left.

The leafy lane we walked up, turning left at this junction.

Beautiful views over the farm gates.

Along this next stretch of the path, we came across a large puddle of water, again wondering how we would cross it, until we noticed a raised path we could take to our left, with steps formed by the roots of the trees. Jo however decided to take the puddle route! We continued on from here, ignoring the path that goes off to the left, instead carrying on straight ahead up this lane. Along this path, we noticed some sheep and their lambs in a field, as we went to the gate to take a closer look, they came over to say hello, which was a nice surprise as they are usually very timid. From here we carried on up the hill and soon spotted a cottage roof peeping through the trees up ahead, showing us we were heading back in the direction of the village.

Making friends with the locals.

At the top of the hill came to a crossroads; Here we turned left down the main road which would take us back into Upottery, but first we stopped here to admire the fantastic views of the rolling hills and hedgerows which were now behind us. From this view point, we could also spot St Mary’s Church nestled into Upottery, which is just to the right of the photo below.

Rolling Hills and hedgerows.

After taking in the views, we walked down the hill, admiring some of the pretty buildings on either side of us. We soon passed a public footpath to our right, which looked interesting, but as we were following a geocache loop, we ignored the footpath, instead continuing on down the hill into the village. After plenty more gorgeous views of the local countryside, we were soon met with the entrance sign to Upottery, by now we had found 3 more geocaches, and it wasn’t long before we found the last one of this series as we walked past the old Victorian school house on our left. From this point, we soon arrived back to where we started in the Village. However, we decided to ‘clear the area’ of caches, by completing two more that aren’t part of this loop. We walked back past the pub, (somehow resisting the urge to go in for our first post-lockdown pint!) and entered the Church graveyard. After inspecting several headstones we discovered the coordinates for the next cache, and walked around the corner where the cache is found close to an old manor house, hidden behind the Church.

St Mary’s Church, where we found the coordinates for our next cache.

The Old Manor House, Upottery.

The countryside views by the Manor House.

Once we had found and signed our last geocache, we made our way back past the stone houses and the (still very welcoming!) pub to our car. We both agreed we would have to come back and try out the local pub and perhaps walk to explore the neighbouring village of Smeatharpe, which a nearby sign informed us was just 2.5 miles away. This walk was very leisurely, and although involved a few country lanes to walk down, they didn’t seem to get too busy, so would be fine for families and dogs. Be sure to try out the local geocaches as we were able to log all of them, with some being in interesting containers and most of them weren’t too hard!

The old stone houses and beer garden, Upottery.

Newton Pop to Tipton St John circular walk.

I love walking the public footpaths of Newton Poppleford, either to Aylesbeare common, along the river to Otterton or towards Harpford and Tipton, there’s so many different routes to take through this lovely little village. I had a lot of interest in the walks I do from Newton Pop to Tipton St John, so I’ve decided to write down this 5 mile circular walk that takes you through public footpaths, woodland, along country lanes and then back along the river.

The River Otter, Tipton St john.

There’s plenty of places to park in Newton Poppleford. I prefer to park in School Lane car park, its a free car park opposite the Primary School, just turn right after the traffic lights (if coming from Exmouth/Exeter) on the main road and the car park is on the right. Alternatively, you can park along back lane (by the recreation ground). From School Lane car park, there’s a public footpath in the corner, by the garages, that leads down past St Luke’s Church on the right. I walk down this path and usually have a look at the red telephone box book library on the left, before turning right down the road, past some lovely thatched cottages.

Pass St Luke’s Church on your right.

A map of Newton Poppleford and the telephone box book library.

After a short walk down the road, I soon pass a carpet and interiors shop on my right. From here I carefully cross the road and turn left onto Back Lane, walking past tennis courts and a play park on my left. Soon I spot a public footpath leading to fields to my right, I ignore this path (I’ll be coming back that way though) and instead turn left where I soon spot the garden plants for sale outside someone’s house. This is one thing I love about Newton Pop. It has such a community feel to it, you’ll find a lot of houses selling their local produce if you walk around and explore the village. Just before this house with the plants for sale is a gravelled path with the Orchard ahead of me and a metal kissing gate to the right;. I take this path through the kissing gate and into some woodland. From here, I follow the path ahead, being careful not to trip over tree roots underfoot.

The Orchards to the left, the footpath to the right.

The woodland walk, part of the East Devon Way.

Soon I come to a choice of two paths, one going up some steps to my left, and the other going down and over a bridge towards a field to my right. I turn left here and climb the steps, eventually I see some steps to my left, this footpath leads to the Orchard. Although a nice walk; I’m not going this way today, instead I carry on ahead, where eventually I walk up more steps and through a wooden gate leading to a field.

The steps leading to the Orchard.

The footpath leads into a field.

There’s a clear path on the outskirts of the field that I follow all the way down, through a kissing gate and where I can hear, and then see, the stream trickling underneath. This path turns left, where I then notice some interesting old trees, with roots wrapped around one of them. (If you do this walk, you’ll know the one I mean!) I soon leave this path and follow the footpath arrows pointing me up a hill. Once at the top of this hill, I take a quick break to take in the views below. From here I spot Fire Beacon Hill, Mutter’s Moor, Peak Hill and the trees in the Orchard.

The clear path through the fields.

Great views from the top of the hill.

After following the footpath through two more kissing gates, it soon leads onto Lynch Head road. From here I turn right and walk up the road which soon descends into the small village of Venn Ottery. Before I arrive in this village, there’s another great view point at the top of the road, over a farm gate. I stop for a moment and take in the views, spotting Tipton St John to the left, nestled into the Valley.

Tipton St John nestled to the left of the Valley.

Once in Venn Ottery, I follow the road around to the right, where I also see a sign telling me this the way to Tipton St John. I’m soon treated to yet more beautiful views of the East Devon Countryside over a poppy field to my right as I edge closer towards the village. Once I arrive at the top of this road, I walk down the road to my right which leads into Tipton St John by the local Primary School.

Yet more beautiful views, over a poppy field.

Once in Tipton St John, I always admire the beautiful thatched cottage to my left, by the Primary School. The elegant windows really do stand out due to their interesting shape. If you’re doing this walk and want to cut it short, you can turn right at this junction, past the school and find the footpath before the bridge, which will take you back to Newton Poppleford via the river. Today I chose to walk further up the river towards Ottery St Mary. I turn left at the school junction and pass the Church of St John the Evangelist on my left, continuing up the road (Tipton Vale) with a stream to my right, until I spot a public footpath on the right.

Church of St John the Evangelist.

I follow this footpath straight ahead, with fields on either side of me. Soon I cross over a stream via a little footbridge, then pass through a gate where I’m greeted by the River Otter with the old railway bridge (now a footbridge) just ahead of me. From here I carry on walking alongside the river, here is a great spot for dogs and children to play in the river, just by the bridge.

The River Otter.

The Old Railway Bridge over the River Otter.

Once I pass under the old railway bridge, I carry on walking ahead until I meet a footbridge crossing right over the river. I decided not to carry on ahead towards Ottery St Mary today, instead I cross this bridge, passing Tipton Mill on my left, and turn right along a footpath into some fields. Here the river soon turns into a stream on my right as I enter some woodland and cross a couple of stiles, then walk alongside a beautiful garden that has the stream passing through it. From here I soon leave the footpath and enter into Tipton St John again.

Tipton Mill to the left.

Tipton Mill, currently under restoration.

Be aware, if walking with a dog, there may be livestock in these fields.

Tipton is a lovely little village, as I turn right, towards the river, I pass another telephone box library on my left, a community stores on the right and then the local pub, ‘The Golden Lion’ with a beer garden that looks very welcoming in the sunshine. After walking past the pub, I cross over the river via a bridge that is decorated with beautiful flower boxes.

Tipton’s local pub, ‘The Golden Lion’.

The rather welcoming pub beer garden.

Beautiful flowers on the bridge overlooking the River Otter.

From here, I join the riverside walk via a footpath to my left. Again, this stretch of the River Otter has plenty of places for dogs to dip in and out of the water for a paddle. There’s some lovely views of the rolling hills to my right, and plenty of butterflies and dragonflies darting about between the river and the wild flowers. I follow the path along the river, passing through several gates.

There’s plenty of places for dogs and children to paddle in the river.

Eventually, this footpath opens up, normally with cows grazing in a field to the right. From here, I soon spot the familiar sights of Newton Pop ahead, as well as Harpford Parish Church over the river to my left. I ignore the red bridge to my left which leads to Harpford, this is a lovely walk too, which I’ll hopefully document another day. The footpath to my right also leads back to the woodland that I started the walk in, by the gate to the Orchard. I continue on ahead, where I soon leave the fields through a gate onto Back Lane once again. From here, I walk down towards the tennis courts, then turn right onto a footpath, keeping the tennis courts to my right and a stream flowing to my left. I follow this path all the way along, until I reach a road to my left (Meadow Drive). From here, I walk up the road, and soon spot the familiar red telephone box on the other side of the road. Here I carefully cross the road (there is a pedestrian crossing to the left) and follow the path up beside the church, to end the walk back in the School Lane car park.

Harpford Parish Church on the other side of the River Otter.

The walk back towards the car park.

Hopefully this walk is clear enough for those of you who have asked me to document it. It’s an enjoyable walk to do, especially on a warm, sunny day, when you can sit and relax by the river, watching dogs and children playing and cooling down in the water. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can make this walk even longer by walking further up towards Ottery St Mary. For those of you interested, I’ll post more about that walk another day.