Country Walks

Walks courtesy of Hugh Westacott

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Colyton makes an excellent centre for exploring the delightful countryside of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This series of short walks, which can be downloaded and printed at home, or used on any compatible portable device, has been written for visitors and residents who would like to explore the local countryside but prefer to follow instructions rather than read a map. Once downloaded, the instructions can be folded and placed inside a medium-sized transparent plastic bag to protect it from the elements.

All the walks, with the exception of Walk 6, start from the Market Place in the centre of the town. Great care has been taken to describe them as precisely and accurately as possible. There are signposts and/or directional waymarks on every gate, stile, and footbridge wherever the route leaves a road or crosses from one field to the next. Where it is considered helpful, distances in metres are given from one point to the next together with the approximate time it would take the average walker to cover that distance at an easy pace.

Find more about Hugh’s books and a preview of the fifth edition of his book The Walker’s Handbook; Everything you Need to Know about Walking in the British Isles

To follow one of the walks, click on your preferred option below, save it on your smartphone or print it off, and take it with you on your journey and enjoy

WALK 1

Colyton – Ridgeway Lane – Four Cross Elms – Colyton (1.5 miles/2.5 km)

A short walk along little-used country lanes that gives extensive views over the Axe Valley. This makes an ideal stroll when the footpaths are muddy

WALK 2

Colyton – Hillhead – Colyford – Colyton (2.5 miles/4km)

A short walk that gives lovely views over the Axe Valley

WALK 3

Colyton – Heathhayne – Ox Hill – The Ridgeway – Colyton (2.75 miles/4.5 km)

A woodland walk, with one steep hill, that gives views over the Coly Valley and the sea

WALK 4

Colyton – Lexhane – Watery Lane – Gittshayne – Colyton (4 miles/6km)

An easy walk along the Umborne valley. There are no steep hills

WALK 5

Colyton to Beer via Ox Hill & Gatcombe Lane
(5 miles/8 km)

(This walk can be combined with Walk 6 to make a circular 9.25 mile/15 km walk from Colyton). Apart from the steep climb to the top of Ox Hill, and a steep descent into Beer, this high-level walk is generally level and gives extensive views over the Axe Valley and the sea. There is an hourly bus service from Beer to Colyton (except Sundays and public holidays)

WALK 6

Beer to Colyton via Seaton Down, Holyford Woods & Four Cross Elms

This strenuous walk can be combined with Walk 5 to make a circular 9.25 mile/ 15 km walk from Colyton (4.25 miles/7 km)

There is a steep climb out of Beer followed by a descent to Gatcombe Farm, a climb to Seaton Down and a descent into Holyford Woods Nature Reserve. Thereafter the route is generally level. There is an hourly bus service from Colyton to Beer (except Sundays and public holidays)

WALK 7

Colyton – Downhayne Brake – Gittshayne – Colyton (4.25 miles/7 km)

A lovely walk through fields and along tracks and the opportunity to see one of the best views of Colyton and the Axe Valley

WALK 8

Colyton – Nunford Dairy – Cownhayne – Colyton (3.5 miles/5.5 km)

There is a steep climb out of Colyton along a dead-end lane that gives extensive views over the Axe Valley followed by level field paths along the rivers Axe and Coly

Devonshire County Council has a Rights of Way Department, staffed by dedicated professionals, who work hard, and successfully, to maintain more than 3,000 miles of the county’s public paths. Colyton Parish Council fully supports its path network and has voluntary wardens to inspect them. In addition, every one of these routes will be walked by the compiler of the descriptions at least once every two months to ensure that it is in good condition. Every route is fully way-marked with directional signs, and the gates and stiles are free of encroaching vegetation.

Cattle and horses will be encountered on most of the walks. Dog-owners should be aware that they are permitted to take their pets on public paths providing that they are under close control and preferably on a lead; they must not let them wander at will. Farmers have a legal right to shoot dogs caught worrying stock. Don’t forget to ‘pick-up’ after your dog!

The most useful map that covers the area in which all these walks are located is Explorer sheet 116 Lyme Regis & Bridport published by the Ordnance Survey and available from The Little Shop located at the bottom of Market Place.

Also available from The Little Shop is Exploring the Coly Valley; the Complete Guide to the Public Rights of Way of Colyton and Colyford published by Colyton Parish Council in 1999 price £3.95. (This is useful for the historical and background notes, but some of the paths described are no longer available.)

No special items of kit or equipment are required for these walks but stout footwear (wellies if you find them comfortable) are advised. Consider taking a light waterproof, a snack and water especially on the longer routes.