Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Email: [email protected]
England: Devon – 6 nights A tale of two rivers
https://www.onfootholidays.co.uk/routes/england-devon/england-devon-6-nights/
page 1/10 Route Summary
At a glance
6 nights (5 walking days) - miss Exeter and the Teign Gorge walk, start in Chagford. We recommend extra nights in any accommodation (upgrading for extra comfort)
Dog-friendly with alternative accommodations.
How much walking?
Full days: 11-19 km per day, 4¾-6 hrs walking Using shortening options: 10-14 km per day, 3-4 hrs using lifts
Max. Grade:
Devon and Cornwall occupy the south-west peninsula of England, an area defined by England’s remarkable maritime heritage. Devon, perhaps the lesser known of the two counties, nevertheless contains three great and ancient ports of which one, Dartmouth, forms the end of this route.
Your journey takes you through some of the most beautiful and varied country in the British Isles. After a night in stylish Chagford, the walk goes straight to legendary Dartmoor: windswept downs of a lonely and unsurpassable beauty and the background to much literature, both romantic and mystical. Overnight in pretty Widecombe-in-the-Moor, then a breathtaking walk along the fringes of the moor to the upper reaches of the River Dart, where your journey back to the sea begins. Buckfast Abbey, Dartington Hall and the fine town of Totnes itself line themselves along this majestic waterway, winding down to the sea at the historic town of Dartmouth, from where many a buccaneer sailed and, more notably, the base from which the Pilgrim Fathers sailed in the Mayflower to colonise the New World.
Staying in country inns and carefully chosen B&Bs, and with a variety of ways to shorten and ease the walking (including a steam train and a river steamer!), the walker will experience the best that England can offer, though should be ready to navigate intelligently as the paths are not always well signed.
Dogs: this version is suitable for small or medium sized dogs subject to accommodation changes in Chagford, Widecombe (with an additional taxi transfer to/from) and Dartington. Supplements apply (see “prices”).
page 2/10 Route Highlights
● Stylish Chagford ● Dartmoor, wild hills and long views ● Widecombe-in-the-Moor ● Buckfast Abbey and Dartington Hall ● Totnes High Street ● Sharpham vineyard – wine and cheese tasting ● The Dart estuary ● Agatha Christie’s Greenway ● Dartmouth
We Recommend
Upgrades in various stops - stay at Dartington Hall, watching an arthouse film in the evening and dining in the vaulted hall.
Grading
Full days: 11-19 km per day, 4¾-6 hrs walking Using shortening options: 10-14 km per day, 3-4 hrs using lifts Reasonable signposting on most days, though navigational alertness needed, with careful attention to the route directions particularly Chagford-Widecombe across the moor. Highest point of route 530m. Underfoot conditions mainly good.
Medium: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 460m (300m-600m) per day.
Easy-Medium: CUSs 315m (225m-400m) using shortening options
Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.
page 3/10 When to go
The best months to walk May, June, July, August, September, October
Other possible months April, November
The best time to go is any time between May and October, though the summer months can have accommodation availability problems so you may not get the accommodation you are hoping for. In early and late season the length of daylight can make the use of shortening options sensible.
Please note: date ranges shown are for a 'normal' year. While Covid-19 restrictions remain, please contact us to discuss your plans and availability.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Chagford
You'll start in Chagford (by prearranged taxi from Exeter) - a fine moorland town with some excellent shops and inns.
Day 2 - Chagford to Widecombe
Today’s walk follows the Two Moors Way for the whole of the day. Heading out of town along leafy lanes, your path leads south and up onto the high moor. After visiting Grimspound, a Bronze Age circular stone settlement, you continue up above the stone circle and along a ridge. On a fine day, the views from here are almost 360° of stunning countryside, with several tors in sight in the near and far distance. On reaching the far end of the ridge, you head down quickly to reach the village of Widecombe, your resting place for the night. (Medium-hard: 5½hrs, 19km, CUSs 730m).
Alternative: If you prefer a shorter walk or the weather is inclement, each half of the day has a shorter version. The first half would be mainly on quiet asphalt road and the second would miss out the moorland section ( Medium: 4hrs, 14km, CUSs 530m)
Day 3 - Widecombe to Scorriton
An easy start from Widecombe takes you up to spectacular high moorland and into the wooded West Webbern river valley at Jordan, to follow the ‘Two Moors Way’. Passing through tiny hamlets and woods (carpeted with bluebells in May), you will find yourself in seemingly forgotten places, untouched by the 21st century. Continuing through the picturesque village of Ponsworthy, you climb once again up onto moorland at Bel Tor Corner, to walk Dr Blackall’s Drive, an eccentric way along a high ridge above the stunning Dart River valley. Coming down off the moor at "New Bridge", a pretty medieval bridge across the river Dart, and one of only a few crossing points on this section of the river, you head up through farmland to Scorriton for the night. (Easy-medium: 4hrs, 13km, CUSs 485m)
page 4/10 Day 4 - Scorriton to Dartington
Today’s walk takes you away from the moorland landscape of Dartmoor, and into the softer South Hams, with its voluptuous rolling hills and hidden valleys. The walk starts with a gentle introduction through ancient woodlands and then on to beautiful Buckfast Abbey. After this you enter the bucolic South Devon countryside, walking the delightful ‘green lanes’ to Staverton, where you will meet the River Dart once again. Continue through Dartington Estate (world famous for its summer music schools, and its beautiful quad and Great Hall). It’s then an easy walk down to Dartington village, to a welcome pint in the lively Cott Inn. (Medium: 5½hrs, 21km, CUSs 650m).
Alternative: If you would like a shorter day or simply have some different fun, you can take a steam train for the stretch from Buckfastleigh to Staverton and save 7km of walking (Easy-medium: 3½hrs, 14km, CUSs 405m)
Day 5 - Dartington to Tuckenhay
A short day spent walking in the South Hams of Devon, the area of South Devon between Dartmoor and the sea, visiting Totnes and a vineyard. This region is of gently undulating hills, verdant pastures and spectacular views of the river Dart. The moorland left far behind, you are following the River Dart to the tidal reach of the sea at Totnes and beyond towards the coast, to finish your day a few kilometres upriver from the sea. Highlights of the day include time to visit the beautiful town of Totnes with its famous High Street, and the vineyard at Sharpham, where you can taste the wines and cheeses produced there. (Easy-medium: 3hrs, 11km, CUSs 300m)
Day 6 - Tuckenhay to Dartmouth
A delightful end to your walk with quintessential English charm around every corner. The day starts with a steep but short climb out of Tuckenhay, leaving Bow Creek behind you. Passing through the delightful village of Cornworthy, you rejoin the river and have the option of walking right along the creek into Dittisham. After sampling Dittisham’s enviable collection of eateries, summon the boatman to ferry you across to Agatha Christie’s Greenway. It’s then an easy walk above the river into picturesque Kingswear, and another ferry sees you sail into beautiful Dartmouth, and journey’s end. (Medium: 4¾ hrs, 16km, CUSs 570m OR shorten by taking boat from Greenway to Dartmouth Easy: 3 hrs, 7km, CUSs 2905m )
Travel Information
ARRIVING BY AIR The best “local” airport is either Exeter or Bristol. Intercontinental flights use London airports.
Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.
For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.
EXETER AIRPORT is situated close to the city. Local taxi best.
BRISTOL AIRPORT Land by: 16:00 for shuttle + train to Exeter (c. 2 hrs). Return flight earliest: 12:00 for train connections from Paignton or Totnes (c. 3 hrs) – accessed by bus or private steam train (Kingswear-Paignton, seasonal)
HEATHROW AIRPORT Land by: 14:00 for shuttle to Reading + train to Exeter (c. 3 hrs). Return flight earliest: 14:00 for train connections from Paignton or Totnes (c. 3 hrs) – accessed by bus or private page 5/10 steam train (Kingswear-Paignton, seasonal)
See “Getting to the start of the walk” below for transfer information
ARRIVING BY TRAIN Nearest railway station: Start: Exeter Finish: Totnes by bus from Dartmouth, or Paignton by private steam train in season
ARRIVING BY CAR Leave car at Exeter St David’s railway station, ten minutes walk from Telstar Guest House and city centre. Pre-booking not available. At the end use the bus and train from Dartmouth to return.
For those starting at places other than Exeter, a taxi back from Dartmouth to the start point would be best – contact On Foot Holidays for advice on the best parking spots.
Getting to the start of the walk
The first hotel is in the city of Exeter or the villages of Dunsford or Chagford, depending on route version, and the last in the port of Dartmouth. Transfer times and methods are suggestions from London Heathrow airport, but you can also fly to Exeter or Bristol.
LONDON HEATHROW
Outward: Bus then train to Exeter (c.2½ hrs) then short walk or local taxi to first hotel/B&B (or prearranged taxi on from Exeter train station to Dunsford/Chagford)
Return: Historic steam train from Kingswear to Paignton, train to Reading then airport bus to Heathrow (c.4 hrs)
Alternatively, take the more efficient (if less exciting) bus from Dartmouth to Totnes to connect to the train network. The same bus also continues on to Exeter.
Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.
page 6/10 Where You'll Stay
A wonderful array of village pubs and B&Bs on this walk. You can also upgrade in Exeter, Chagford, Dartington and Dartmouth, and to a once-owned-by-celebrity-chef riverside restaurant with stylish rooms in Tuckenhay.
Please note: walkers bringing dogs may not be able to do all route versions (check the tabs at the top of the screen) or have the same choice of accommodation. For this version, walkers with dogs require a transfer to upgrade accommodation in Widecombe and upgrade rooms/accommodation in both Dartington and Dartmouth. Supplements will apply (see “prices” tab).
Night 1 Chagford – The Globe Inn (B&B)
Good quality hotel in the village centre. Upgrade to a superior room for a small supplement.
Night 1(Upgrade) Chagford – The Three Crowns (B&B)
Former coaching inn with lots of space and comfortable rooms.
Night 2 Widecombe-in-the-Moor – Higher Venton Farmhouse (B&B)
Classic Devon farmhouse with flag floors, chickens running wild, rusting tractors and exceptional cream teas. Some shared bathrooms.
page 7/10 Night 3 Scorriton – The Tradesman’s Arms (B&B)
Great village pub with quiet rooms above, presided over by Kevin and Suzanne.
Night 3(Upgrade) Scorriton – Mitchelcroft (B&B)
Stunning modern B&B with three lovely rooms and a beautiful outlook. Owners Michael and Debbie are walkers too. Min. 2 night stay in peak times.
Night 4 Dartington – Appalachian Spring (B&B)
Pretty house within walking distance of the pub.
Night 4(Upgrade) Dartington – The Cott Inn (B&B)
Award winning pub with great atmosphere and comfortable rooms. Might be noisy on Fri/Sat nights and there are weekly live-music events. Please ask us for advice.
Night 5 Ashprington – The Durant Arms (B&B)
Great village pub with a noted kitchen.
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Night 6 Dartmouth – Bayards Cove Inn (B&B)
Comfortable rooms above a restaurant in a historic building, close to the sea front. Some of the rooms are on the small side, but the atmosphere more than makes up for it.
Night 6(Upgrade) Dartmouth – The Royal Castle Hotel (B&B)
Grand old lady of Dartmouth hotels in stunning position overlooking boating pool and Dart.
Prices
Price: £810
Total 6 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts and 2 picnics, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.
All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.
Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £245 Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £180 Large party saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary, on the same booking and booked at the same time) – discount of at least £20 per person Maximum party size: 10
Dogs: As only certain accommodation accepts dogs, a transfer to/from upgrade accommodation in nearby Haytor is necessary instead of the night in Widecombe. The nights in Dartington and Dartmouth are also in upgraded accommodation/rooms so please allow an extra cost of £70 per person plus a dog supplement of around £10 per dog per night”
page 9/10 Add Ons
Extra nights and upgrades: Contact On Foot Holidays (seasonal pricing)
Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK: £10-£40 (per pack, location dependent)
On Foot Holidays Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Griffin House, Malthouse Lane, Email: [email protected] Salisbury, SP2 7RF, United Kingdom
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