sign in sign up
<<
Home , Brentor, Devonport Leat, Eddystone Rocks, Lydford, Lydford Castle, Mary Tavy

2 West Way Explore the western edge of along this 37-mile waymarked walking route, linking to local

www.devon.gov.uk/walking www.dartmoor .co.uk Way Explore the western edge of Dartmoor The is a recreational route for walkers of 37 miles, running from in the north to at its southern end. At a glance View from Meldon Dam 37 miles in total A number of alternative and circular Divided into 8 stages routes have been included in the Easy to follow, waymarked trail booklet, showing further walking Stage 7 suitable for wheelchairs and buggies possibilities alongside the main West Each stage starts and finishes at or Devon Way route. near a stop Sustainable Travel The walk is relatively easy with many The route has been divided into eight level stretches, gradual gradients and sections, all accessible at each end a few steep short sections. The route by public transport. Since car crosses a variety of terrain, and while parking is very limited along the in the summer the route is likely to route, the use of public transport be dry, in the depths of winter parts (see page 23) is recommended. For of the route can be wet and muddy. up to date bus times call Traveline on The route is waymarked and with the 0871 200 22 33 or visit directions in this booklet should be www.traveline.org.uk. straightforward to follow, though There are car parks (paying), toilet extra care should be taken across and food and drink facilities in open moorland sections where way- Okehampton, , , marking is not possible. The booklet Yelverton and Plymouth, along with directions describe the route starting pubs at a number of villages along in Okehampton and walking in a and close to the route. southerly direction. Some points of interest along the way are highlighted For walkers over-nighting in the area, in boxes within the route descriptions. details of local accommodation can be found at the Okehampton or The waymarks contain a logo of the Tavistock Tourist Information Centres dramatic Church perched on or from the visitor websites detailed top of its rocky outcrop. The logo is on page 22 of this booklet. dark green on a white background n W vo a outside of the National Park, and dark e y D t s green on wood within the National e Park, with the route directions W indicated by black arrows.

2 OKEHAMPTON Route of the The 8 stages West Devon Stage 1: 5 miles (8km) Way Okehampton to Stage 1 Stage 2: 4.5 miles (7.25km) Sourton Sourton to Lydford Stage 3: 4.5 miles (7.25km) Stage 2 Lydford to

N Stage 4: 4.5 miles (7.25km) Lydford Mary Tavy to Tavistock Stage 5: 7 miles (11.25km) Tavistock to Yelverton Stage 3 Stage 6: 4.5 miles (7.25km) Brentor DARTMOOR Yelverton to Bickleigh Mary Tavy Stage 7: 4 miles (6.5km) Bickleigh to Marsh Mills

Stage 4 Stage 8: 3 miles (5km) Marsh Mills to Hooe Lake TAVISTOCK OS Maps of the route and area: Explorer OL28 1:25,000 - covers

Stage 5 the majority of the route Explorer 108 and 112 - to the west Explorer OL20 - southern end of

YELVERTON the route Key to symbols used on route maps on following pages

Stage 6 Clearbrook West Devon Way Alternative routes/ loops 1 See directions in text Bickleigh A Points of interest BUS Bus services i Tourist Information Centre Stage 7 Refreshments PLYMOUTH Pub Marsh Mills Public toilets S Shops Stage 8 P Parking

Hooe © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License No: 100023302 Published 2010 Scale:0 12534 10km 3 Stage 1: Follow the 'path' signs through a metal gate and through a farmyard, Okehampton to Sourton to join a surfaced lane beyond the farm. When you reach the road turn Distance: 5 miles (8 km) left across the A30 road bridge. Surfaces: Uneven surfaces, including fields, grassy lanes and woodland tracks. Some muddy stretches after heavy rain. Gradients: A steep climb away from the below . Fairly steep descent to Sourton. Otherwise gentle gradients. Obstacles: A few gates. Two foot- bridges with steps. 1 The West Devon Way begins at the centre of Okehampton. When open, Courtyard of the Museum of Dartmoor Life start by passing through a gated A Okehampton has a varied courtyard by the Museum of Dartmoor history including production of Life and Tourist Information Centre, following a path to the right hand side woollen cloth from the of the museum, through the car park to the 1700s, and copper mining, onto Jacobs Pool, where you turn left. quarrying and farming. Today, When closed, walk up George Street, Okehampton is establishing itself as to the left of the White Hart . the walking centre for northern Dartmoor, with links to Meldon along Follow George Street and turn right the Dartmoor railway. into Castle Road. Where the road bends right across the West Okement B was built river, continue straight ahead on the shortly after the , path alongside the left bank of the and has stood in ruins since 1538 river. when Henry VIII ordered it to be 2 Pass through an iron kissing gate demolished as a punishment for its into Old Town Park Local Nature owner's treason. Today, English Reserve, bearing left to climb the Heritage open the grounds to the middle path through the woods, public over the summer months. keeping left at two path junctions. 44 Take the path to the rear of the Turn right along a surfaced bridleway parking area on the right, beside the shared with traffic. A30. At a junction where a path goes 3 On reaching the golf course, take to your right under the A30, the path ahead across the golf course, straight ahead on the path towards taking care as you proceed. After the river. Continue alongside the West 200m, as the gravel track turns Okement, cross the footbridge and sharply to the right, continue straight climb the hill on the path bearing left. ahead along the path. Leave the golf Pass through a gate, turn right onto a course at a metal gate, and follow the track past Meldon Farm, and turn left right edge of the field ahead. when you reach the road.

4 5 Pass under the railway bridge and continue ahead, as the road soon becomes an unsurfaced green lane. Passing through a gate, the lane widens out, then reaches the open moor through A S P another gate with Sourton Tors ahead. 1 i 6 Follow the stone wall on the left, then bear away OKEHAMPTON BUS past an old gate post. As you climb the hill, after 45m, look out for the route along a grassy B path to the right, running parallel with an old 2 stone wall for most of its length. Follow this 3 path straight across a junction of routes until you reach a shallow cutting on your N right between two stone walls. With Sourton Church ahead of you, take this path down between 4 two parallel walls, leaving the © Crown copyright. moor and crossing the All rights reserved. License No: 100023302 Granite Way on a track Published 2010 leading into the 5 small village P of Sourton.

Scenic Detour to Scale: 0 0.5 1km

6 Sourton Alternative route: BUS Across the Meldon Viaduct To cross the spectacular Meldon Viaduct, turn left after the A30 road bridge, 4 , and opposite the parking area onto a bridleway Meldon Reservoir through woods.

For a scenic detour from the West Follow the path straight ahead at Devon Way route, follow the road any path junctions, walk under the on your left signed to Meldon viaduct and climb the steps. Reservoir at point 5 . The reservoir At the top, turn sharp left across was created by damming the West the viaduct, and follow the Granite Okement River, and opened in Way along the old railway path to a 1972. From the car park and public point where it crosses a road. toilets you can access a range of local walks leading around the Turn left here to rejoin the West reservoir, into the surrounding hills, Devon Way, 5 ,with the route or towards Meldon Viaduct. heading up the lane to the right.

5 Stage 2: C Wheal Fanny Copper Mine Lead was discovered here in 1827, Sourton to Lydford although the mine had to be closed Distance: 4.5 miles (7.25 km) due to the inflow of water. Abandoned in 1868, the ruins of the Surfaces: Can be muddy in field engine house are still visible. section south of Sourton, especially at 3 Continue on the track ahead, and gates. Generally, grassy fields from Sourton, and gravel/rocky tracks follow it along the edge of the open towards Lydford. land of Fernworthy Down, and then Gradients: Short steep descent north as it descends to cross a stream. of Lydford, and a steep climb below 4 Cross the footbridge at the stream, Lake Viaduct on the alternative route. Otherwise fairly level. go through the gate, and 30m beyond turn left up a path to reach a lane by Obstacles: High number of stiles on main route south of Sourton (can be houses. Alternatively, for a drier avoided using the alternative route). route, continue along the track from A variety of gates, and two footbridges the stream and climb direct to the (on alternative route). lane. Either way, turn left at the lane and straight on at the first junction to 1 From Sourton, follow the footpath the war memorial. Turn right to follow alongside the main road heading the route into the village of Lydford. south towards Tavistock. At the end of the village, 30m past the bus stop, cross the road carefully and take the path next to the tall house, between two stone barns. Follow the track round to the left and through a gate into a field. Follow the track with the hedge on your right through two fields to a small barn. Cross the stile and continue ahead with the hedge to your left for two more fields. Cross the stile, and head straight across the next two fields to another stile before continuing with the hedge on your left for another three fields to arrive at a D Lydford has two Norman castles lane. Turn left onto the lane, then - a stone tower built as a court and right at the next junction. a prison, and an earlier earthwork castle to the south. The present day 2 After 35m, turn right and descend village occupies only a fraction of along a track, eventually crossing a the Saxon walled town, which was footbridge. Shortly after cross attacked and burnt by the Danes another footbridge, before continuing in 997. on the track and climbing past some former mining buildings to arrive at a road.

6 0 0.5 1km Scale: Sourton N 1 © Crown copyright. BUS All rights reserved. License No: 100023302 Published 2010

E

2

Loop/alternative route: Along the Granite Way - Sourton to Bearslake From Sourton, take the track 3 opposite the pub and follow it uphill towards the church. Turn left and descend to the cycle path. Turn C right under the arched bridge and follow the track for just over one mile. Follow the track through two swing gates. The 230m of track between these gates is a Right of Way on Bank Holidays and during August, at other times access is by 4 permission of the landowner. If these gates are locked please retrace your steps and follow the main West Devon Way route. Turn left down a steep tarmac track BUS Lydford to cross a footbridge. Follow the path and turn left through a gate P before passing below Lake Viaduct. D Follow the track, and cross a footbridge before continuing along AE Lake Viaduct carried the former the track to the main road. To Southern Railway line, has 9 arches rejoin the West Devon Way, cross and is built of granite. The steep, the main road, and ascend the lane narrow valley coming down to it from opposite for some 200m before the northeast, known as “Deep turning left to descend along a Valley”, was once a copper mine. track at point 2 .

7 Stage 3: 2 Keep to the road for approximately one mile, then take the track on the Lydford to Mary Tavy left immediately before the bridge with Distance: 4.5 miles (7.25 km) metal parapets. 3 On the track bear left and go Surfaces: Road for approx 1 mile from through a wooden gate leading onto Lydford. Otherwise uneven tracks over the moor. Turn right, next to the open moorland (grass followed by fence, and follow the most obvious gravel). track as it continues roughly parallel to Gradients: Short steep road descent the fence, then alongside a stone wall, and climb by Lydford Bridge. Some then ahead to join a clearer path. gradual climbs and descents. This in turn leads to a surfaced lane. Obstacles: One gate when joining moor at Black Down. 4 Continue ahead on the lane for 150m and where a track goes off to 1 Leave the village in a southerly the right, leave the lane on a path that direction towards Tavistock, past the bears left over the moorland, going medieval prison and courtroom gently uphill. (Lydford Castle) and the church. 5 Keep on the path as it climbs past a small cairn, then descends to join a road. Cross the cattle grid and follow Trips to Lydford Gorge the road to reach the A386 in the If taking a trip to Lydford Gorge village of Mary Tavy. (there is an admission charge for the Gorge), this can be accessed on G Brentor Church your right just after Lydford Bridge. The Church of St de Rupe At the far end of the Gorge, to (St Michael of the Rock), built 335m return to the West Devon Way, go above level, is an iconic feature through the car park to the road, of the West Devon skyline. Two turn left, cross the bridge and take legends are told about how the the track on your right. church came to be built here. The first is that a wealthy merchant F Lydford Gorge is the deepest vowed to build a church on the first gorge in the southwest and has land he saw if he survived a violent some spectacular sights, including storm at sea, and this was Brentor. a 30m waterfall, and the 'Devil's The second claims that while the Cauldron' whirlpools. The path church was being built at the foot of through the Gorge is rugged, the hill, the Devil would move the uneven and slippery with steep stones that had been laid to the top drops, so care should be taken at - maybe to deter worshippers from all times. The owns the hard climb. Another version of Lydford Gorge and an admission events is that the church was built charge is payable. There are toilets in 1155 by the lord of and and tea rooms at both entrances. Whitchurch.

8 Loop route: Brentor At 4 continue on the lane turning N right on meeting another road, Lydford following it to North Brentor. Turn BUS left at the T-junction (by the war memorial) and as the road bears right, take the cul-de-sac to the 1 left, which turns into a public footpath signed to South Brentor. Continue to follow across a number of fields. On reaching an orge unsurfaced unclassified country F G road, turn right to reach a lane. Bear left and follow for around ford 600m until you see a signed public Lyd bridleway at a metal gate on your

right. Leave the road here to climb BUS Brent Tor. 2 To return to the West Devon Way retrace your steps to the 3 unsurfaced unclassified country road (signed not suitable for motors). Stay on this track crossing Wortha Mill Bridge, and turn right on meeting a road to rejoin the West Devon Way at the cattle grid described in 5 .

BUS

4

G

Brentor Church 5

BUS Mary Tavy S © Crown copyright. 0 0.5 1km All rights reserved. Scale: License No: 100023302 Published 2010

9 Stage 4:

Mary Tavy to Tavistock Distance: 4.5 miles (7.25 km)

Surfaces: Tarmac roads, gravel and uneven rocky paths. Fields between Mary Tavy and Harford Bridge. Wet and muddy in winter around field entrances and stiles.

Gradients: A number of short climbs Remains of and descents near Mary and Peter Tavy. the hedge on your left continue Very steep road sections at Violet Bank and Green Hill. straight ahead across the field to a gap in the wall, then on to a stone Obstacles: A number of stiles and gates on section between Mary Tavy and stile. Continue across the next field to Harford Bridge. an obvious gap in the hedge, and then head for the gate next to a 1 From the main road in Mary Tavy prominent tree to the right of the (the A386) take the track opposite buildings. Go through the gate and Brentor Road. Follow this down to a down the track to reach a lane. lane and bear right. Keep ahead at the first road junction. 4 At the lane turn left and cross Harford Bridge and the 2 Pass the school and at the next and take the right fork at the junction bear left. Pass Mary Tavy junction. Climb the hill and at the church and at the end of the road, small crossroads after 300m take the take the footpath which goes down narrow lane to the right. the track to the right. H Mary Tavy The leats and I Harford Bridge This Grade II th water courses which were once used Listed Building is probably of 16 to work local copper, silver and lead Century origin. Built of local granite mining machinery are now utilised and metamorphic stone it was th by a hydro-electricity power station rebuilt in the mid 19 Century. The at Mary Tavy. location marks where stags crossed the Tavy in Saxon times, the name 3 Take the track downhill and cross deriving from “hart ford.” the footbridge then climb steeply to the right-hand bend. Climb the stile 5 Eventually the lane descends to on the left then follow the wall on meet a main road. Be very careful your right uphill to a gate. Continue over the next 70m. This is a busy with the hedge and a wire fence on road with no footway. Turn right and your right through a gate to another keep to the nearside. After 70m gate and stile. carefully cross to the footpath. At the junction opposite the school entrance Climb the stile and continue ahead, turn left up Violet Lane then, near hedge still to the right, and descend the top, turn right, down the hill. to a gate. Pass through and now with

10 7 At the bottom carefully cross the 1 Mary Tavy road to the footpath and turn left. At N BUS the next junction carefully cross the S main road and bear left. Bear left again at the next junction (Dolvin Road) and follow to the bridge above 2 Tavistock Weir. H J Tavistock A small Saxon 3 community existed here in the early 8th Century beside the River Tavy. A Benedictine Abbey was founded around the year 974, and the town developed around the abbey. By the early 12th Century Tavistock had a market and a fair, and in 1305 become one of the four Devon towns. Its prosperity came firstly from medieval tin mining, then from the th cloth trade and, in the earlier 19 I Century, from the copper boom, BUS which eventually collapsed in the 4 1870s. Today, Tavistock is a busy town, with markets and a number of specialist shops and cafés attracting visitors.

Scale: 0 0.5 1km

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License No: 100023302 Published 2010

7 Turn right across the bridge, 5 and immediately cross the road 6 when opposite the Post Office. i After crossing, turn left and then J S P immediately right following the BUS riverside path on the right bank 7 of the River Tavy. TAVISTOCK 8 This path follows the riverbank into the Tavistock Meadows.

11 Stage 5: N 6 Just before you reach a cattle grid L Yelverton and Roborough BUS i P turn left alongside a bank. Follow the Down: Near the main road are the bank for approximately 550m until Tavistock to Yelverton 1 S TAVISTOCK remains of RAF Harrowbeer, a WWII Distance: 7 miles (11.25 km) you reach a right-angled corner then airfield - for more information, see follow the grassy path diagonally to www.rafharrowbeer.co.uk Shops Surfaces: Road, gravel, grass, uneven 2 your left. in Yelverton were reduced to single in the Walkham Valley. Some sections K Grenofen Wood and West storey for the safety of aircraft using can be muddy and wet. Down SSSI: Over 80 lichen species the airfield. Grass-banked Spitfire Gradients: Some steep climbs and 3 have been recorded in Grenofen shelters remain around its edges. descents in the area. Woods including some rare and Obstacles: Steps and a narrow uncommon species. The woodland footbridge. valley slopes are dominated by oak, 1 From Abbey Bridge follow the path while is a south facing on the right bank of the River Tavy. slope of acid grassland. Pass a pedestrian bridge on your left, 7 At the next corner of the wall, and after a further 50m fork right and head diagonally to your left to a follow a path through a subway under minor road. Turn left and follow it the A386. Double back on your right Roborough Down until you reach a T junction. (using the steps or slope) to reach the road and turn right alongside it. 8 Cross the road and follow the Linear Walk: grassy track, where it divides bear 2 Follow the main road for a short 4 K From Tavistock to Crowndale left. Pass a bench and bear left again. distance and follow the pavement This linear walk follows a pleasant, Pass a second bench, keep straight into the first road on your right. level path alongside Tavistock ahead on the level path until you Follow the path past the school to Crowndale Farm - reputed to be statue, reach the surfaced cycleway. playing fields. Cross the minor road the birthplace of Sir Tavistock Turn right along it. and continue along the cycle path, in around 1540. crossing the River Tavy bridge to 9 Follow the cycleway to After passing through the subway reach Brook Lane. 6 the minor road at Leg 1 and climbing the steps 5 O' Mutton. Cross the immediately on your right, leave 3 Turn right towards Walreddon and road and continue to the West Devon Way by passing continue straight on, ignoring all side 7 follow the cycleway through the gap in the hedge from turnings. around the edge of the lower paved path to the 4 At the cattle grid go straight on, the car park and narrower path alongside the 8 following the track downhill across past the play area , and turn left. open moorland and then into wood- to the roundabout Follow this path past the school and land. Where the bridleways meet, at Yelverton. college. After around 600m the take the right fork steeply downhill to path enters Crowndale woods. the river. Turn right alongside the Continue for another 600m until river, following the path up and round 9 BUS P S you reach Crowndale Farm on your Footbridge at Double Waters a rocky knoll to reach a footbridge at L left, at which point you can Double Waters, a picturesque spot 5 Cross the bridge and walk up to 16 continue following the path along- where the Rivers Tavy and Walkham the track. Turn left and follow the YELVERTON side the Canal for another mile to meet as they descend from Dartmoor, track as it turns into a tarmac road Shillamill Viaduct, or retrace your 0 0.5 1km © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. and flow on to the . and climbs uphill. Scale: License No: 100023302 Published 2010 steps back to the West Devon Way.

12 13 Stage 6: Follow the path, as it passes through another kissing gate and continues Yelverton to Bickleigh through a gate to the right of a Distance: 4.5 miles (7.25 km) house. Follow the track to reach the road below Clearbrook. Surfaces: Tarmac, gravel and grass. Some muddy and stony sections. Gradients: Generally fairly level, with a couple of short steep sections. Obstacles: Some stiles and narrow kissing gates. 1 From the church at the roundabout follow the tarmac road parallel to the A386 and continue alongside Drake's Leat. Cross a bridge and continue along the cycleway.

2 Turn left over a bridge and then Clearbrook immediately right on the track 4 Turn left along the road and then alongside the leat. After 200m take immediately before the road bridge the public footpath to Hoo on turn right over a stile onto a riverside your left, follow over a bridge and public footpath through fields, descend to pass through a gate. woodland and gates to another road Follow the track downhill and at the at Goodameavy. next T junction turn right. N Goodameavy: This is where the West Devon Way M Leats: joins the old GWR line between The leats here were built to provide a Plymouth and or water supply. Sir Francis Drake Tavistock. This stretch of line follows primarily initiated and directed the the course of the and construction of The Drake's (or crosses a number of imposing Plymouth) Leat, which was originally viaducts. dug in 1591 to take water to Plymouth and is granite lined. The 5 At the road turn right, go under is wide and deep the railway bridge, then turn left and and, higher on Dartmoor, still carries shortly afterwards left again onto the water to the Burrator Reservoir. The railway path and cycleway. Turn right West Devon Way passes by both of along the cycleway. these leats south of Yelverton. 6 Follow the cycle way through the 3 Follow the track as it turns left 300m Shaugh Tunnel. An atmospheric under the railway and turn experience, a torch is recommended! immediately right through a kissing Pass the old station at Shaugh Halt gate. and cross over the Ham Green Viaduct.

14 7 If leaving the walk here to catch a BUS N P S bus at Bickleigh, pass under a bridge then turn sharp left off of the 1 cycleway (shown in red on the map). YELVERTON M Follow the path to the road and turn 2 left crossing over the old railway bridge. Continue on the road to 3 Bickleigh village where you will be able to catch a bus.

Loop Routes: There are 3 circular walking routes in the Yelverton area ranging from easy 4.5 mile walks to difficult 9 mile walks - further information about these can be found at 4 www.drakestrail.co.uk or by picking up a Drake’s Trail route pack from the Tourist Information Centre at Tavistock.

BUS 5 N

6

O

O National Cycle Route 27: As well as being the West Devon Way, the old railway path also carries Bickleigh BUS the Devon to Coast cycle route. The Plym Valley Cycle Way © Crown copyright. between Plymouth and Clearbrook All rights reserved. 7 License No: 100023302 becomes the Drake's Trail between Published 2010 Clearbrook and Tavistock. Scale: 0 0.5 1km

15 Stage 7: Peregrine Falcon Bickleigh to Marsh Mills Photo: David Palmer Distance: 4 miles (6.5 km)

Gradients: Generally level along the course of an old railway line. One quite steep slope from the Bickleigh Camp lane onto the cycle way. Obstacles: There are no stiles, gates P or other barriers, this route is suitable for Peregrines at Plymbridge wheelchairs and buggies. Woods: If starting your walk from the bus It is thought that peregrines have stop at Bickleigh Camp, walk downhill nested on and off at this former slate away from the village, ignoring the quarry (Cann Quarry) for fifty years turning on the left hand side sign- or more. More recently records show posted to . Instead cross them to be present every year since over the old railway and turn right at least 1995. The RSPB have around straight away on to the path which 50 volunteers that watch and protect joins the cycle way and then left the birds, and there are around along the route of the old railway line. 25,000 visits each year to the Viaduct from which they can be 1 The walk now follows the cycle way observed. You can see nesting all the way to Plym Bridge, crossing peregrines on the web cam at spectacular viaducts over deep www.plym-peregrines.co.uk wooded valleys along the course of the River Plym. In early times, the 4 After a while you will see a railway Plym Valley was not as peaceful as it line on your left where the volunteers is now. The Plymouth-Tavistock of the Plym Valley Railway Association Railway and the earlier horse drawn are aiming to restore and operate a Princetown Railway both passed this mile and a half of the old line way. between Marsh Mills and Plym Bridge. The line used to run from Tavistock 2 The route passes over the Junction, just outside of Plymouth, to Bickleigh and Riverford Viaducts, high Launceston. The Association is over the Plym. preserving steam and diesel 3 At Plym Bridge, follow the path on locomotives, carriages and the left that takes you down to the wagons. car park, cross over to the gap in the fence on the other side and bear right See www.plymrail.co.uk for details on the path that will take you to and a timetable of public passenger Coypool, near Marsh Mills. rides on the line from the station at Marsh Mills to Lee Moor Crossing, a distance of 1,200m.

16 5 When you reach Coypool, the Park and Ride is on the BUS right hand side, from where, Bickleigh BUS on Mondays-Saturdays a bus will take you back into the centre of Plymouth. N If walking this route on a Sunday, continue on to Marsh Mills East on Plymouth Road to catch a bus into 1 Plymouth.

Q Marsh Mills: The name 'Marsh Mills' denoted the former large flour mill, east of Longbridge. Marsh Mills station, from where the 19th Century mill owners sent their flour to be carried by the rail network, was closed in 1962 after serving the area for 101 years. 2 P

3

4

5 BUS

Crossing Plym Bridge Q © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. S License No: 100023302 Published 2010

Scale: 0 0.5 1km 17 Stage 8: V Radford Castle: This was built in the 19th Century as Marsh Mills to an embellishment to the grounds of Hooe Lake Radford Park, the home of the Harris family of . Distance: 3 miles (5 km)

Surfaces: Mainly tarmac. Gradients: Almost flat. Obstacles: Busy roads. 1 Starting from the Coypool Park and Ride site follow the signs to the City Centre, then bear left past an old railway platform (signposted Saltram and Bridge). Go under the elevated A38 dual carriageway. This is the southern end of the West Devon Way. We hope you enjoyed 2 The path now to the River your walk, be it just one or all eight Plym alongside Saltram House stages! grounds, then next to a tarmac road on to a main road next to Laira Bridge. From here you can connect with the or, via the U Saltram: Erme-Plym Trail with the Two Saltram House, above the River Moors Way. Plym, is a Georgian Mansion owned by The National Trust. Saltram For a scenic trip back to Plymouth, House is filled with a notable join the Coast Path through collection of paintings and furniture, Turnchapel to Mount Batten and many of which can be seen today. catch a passenger ferry back to the Visitors can enjoy the gallery, tea Barbican and city centre. room, restaurant and walks in the W gardens and park. The parkland Plymouth: offers a good location from which to The maritime city of Plymouth has much to offer visitors. The Barbican watch wading birds in the estuary. area is the historic heart of 3 Cross the main road very carefully Plymouth, the quay is still used by and turn left to the roundabout. Turn local fisherman, and boat trips to right here, cross a road and head the naval dockyards depart towards Oreston. Cross another road regularly from the harbour. to a path which soon becomes a disused railway line. On , where Drake is 4 After the road bridge, bear left said to have been bowling prior to onto the path towards the water setting sail to battle the Armada, is visible ahead (Hooe Lake). Smeaton's Tower. The red and white lighthouse spent 123 years on the 5 Carry on to Radford Castle on the dam between Hooe Lake and Eddystone Rocks before being Radford Lake. re-erected here in 1884.

18 N S BUS 1 BUS

S

2 Drake’s statue and Smeaton’s Tower, on Plymouth Hoe P U

BUS W i

BUS S 3

4 S

5 V

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License No: 100023302 Published 2010 Scale: 0 0.5 1km

Hooe Lake

19 Other Walking and Cycling Routes in the Area

The West Devon Way is just one of It runs for 34 miles from Launceston several walks and circuits that make to on the northern the most of the impressive scenery in outskirts of Plymouth. The river Devon and . crossing at can be made by train, and there may be a ferry The local Tourist Information Centres service during the summer months. have guides and information about other local walks, and more information about walks, accessibility Launceston Two Castles Trail Okehampton DiscoveryTamar Va

and accommodation can be found on Way the www.visitdevon.co.uk lley T Devon or www.dartmoor.co.uk websites. ra

i l West

CASTLES T Plymouth O RA W IL T The West Devon Triangle The West Devon Way, the Tamar Valley Discovery Trail and the Two The Two Castles Trail Castles Trail can be linked together to This 24 mile route links the medieval form a 90 mile triangle of walks castles of Okehampton and through West Devon, taking in a Launceston, passing through a variety National Park and an Area of of landscapes, including moorland in Outstanding Natural Beauty. the east, woodland and river valleys. In addition to the two castles themselves, it also gives insights into a wealth of historic interest along the way including a wooded The South West Coast Path hilltop Iron Age fort, and the site of This renowned and stunning 630 mile a Dark Age battle. route follows the coastline of the entire Devon and Cornwall peninsula, from in south Dorset to Minehead in north , passing The Tamar Valley through the Lizard, Land's End and Discovery Trail Tintagel, among a variety of attractions. It is accessible from the This is an exciting and varied route, West Devon Way at Plymouth. straddling two counties, crossing two rivers and taking in the Tamar Valley Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty.

20 27 The The Two Moors Way is a 102 mile route Drake's Trail between in the south and Drake's Trail, running between Lynmouth in the north, making it an Tavistock and Clearbrook, is part of ideal week's walk. Sustrans National Cycle Route 27, The route links the only two National which links Devon’s north and south Parks in southern , and crosses . Once completed, the Trail will both of them north-south. It passes link to the Plym Valley Trail and through exceptionally scenic land- Plymouth to the south, and the scapes, including the high and remote Granite Way and Okehampton in the moorland of some of the Dartmoor and north. A network of cycling and sections, and the deep and walking routes radiates from the Trail, wooded valleys of the moorland edges of varying difficulty and scenery, and between the moors, unspoilt rural ranging from 3 to 16 miles. scenery with a remote and tranquil Check the Drake's Trail website at character that is difficult to match. www.drakestrail.co.uk for more details, including access to downloadable maps, podcasts and event information. The Erme-Plym Trail The Erme-Plym trail connects the Two Moors Way to the South West Coast Path, creating a spectacular coast to coast walk. The 15 mile, generally easy path takes in the Erme Valley Dartmoor National Park south of Ivybridge as well as following To find out more about walking in the a cross-country route through National Park including events and attractive pastoral landscape. guided walks, visit www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Tamar Trails There are numerous walking, cycling, Dartmoor Railway and horse riding opportunities in the Passenger trains run from Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding through Okehampton Station to Natural Beauty. These short routes Meldon Viaduct, with aspirations to take in dramatic riverside and wood- link to the National Rail Network. The land scenery, and as part of the railway provides a fantastic car free Cornwall & West Devon Mining World way to access the walking and cycling Heritage Site, you are never far away opportunities of Dartmoor. Visit from some history! Find out more at www.dartmoor-railway.co.uk for www.tamarvalley.org.uk more information.

21 Useful information for Visitors

Local Tourist Information Centres Visitor information about the are able to provide details of Dartmoor area can be found at accommodation, events, www.dartmoor.co.uk This site recreational activities, places to eat includes information about where to and drink, and visitor attractions in stay, things to do, eating and the area and near to the route - drinking, and events. The site also everything that's needed to make has an online booking facility for your visit enjoyable! accommodation and includes special offers! Okehampton Tourist Information Centre To plan your visit or holiday to Devon, including booking accommodation, 3 West Street food and drink, events and activities Okehampton (including walking!), you will find a Devon EX20 1JZ wealth of information at 01837 53020 www.visitdevon.co.uk Tavistock For in-depth information about Tourist Information Centre accommodation, things to do and The Archway, eating out in the Tamar Valley area, Bedford Square visit the Tamar Valley Tavistock Association website at Devon, PL19 0AE www.tamarvalleytourism.co.uk Tel: 01822 612938 Free booklets about Devon's coast Plymouth and countryside including walking Tourist Information Centre trails, cycling, horse riding and Plymouth Mayflower wildlife can be ordered through the 3 - 5 The Barbican website at Plymouth PL1 2TR www.devon.gov.uk Tel: 01752 306330

22 Transport information Be a Green Visitor Why not leave your car at home when Do not disturb any livestock, keep exploring the West Devon Way? The your dog under close control and route gives good opportunities for leave all gates as you find them. using public transport to walk parts, Take your litter home with you and or the entire route. recycle if possible. BUS Bus connections / bus stops are Do not disturb wild animals, birds identified on the individual stage or flowers. maps throughout this booklet. Whether you are walking, cycling or driving, take special care on The southern part of the West Devon country roads. Way is served by frequent services between Plymouth and Tavistock. If possible, leave your car at home These can be caught at Tavistock or and take the bus or train. Yelverton, or by diverting from the Buy locally produced goods, walk by a mile or two, from Bickleigh including food and souvenirs. or Clearbrook. Frequent Plymouth Support local shops, garages and Citybuses serve Marsh Mills and the other local services. City Centre. Most of these routes operate daily, including evenings and Sundays. Bus services also run parallel to the West Devon Way between Tavistock and Okehampton with stops at Mary Tavy, Brentor, Lydford and Sourton. Operating year round, there are extra services on summer Sundays. For up-to-date information on timetables call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or visit www.traveline.org.uk

23 2 West Devon Way Explore the western edge of Dartmoor along this 37-mile waymarked walking route, linking to local buses

The West Devon Way is a recreational route for walkers of 37 miles, running from Okehampton in the north to Plymouth at its southern end. South of Yelverton, the route The walk is relatively easy, meanders close to the River crossing a range of terrains and Meavy, through the 300m following a waymarked route Shaugh Tunnel, and along the with directions described in this old Plymouth to Launceston booklet. The West Devon Way railway line as it descends into has been divided into eight Plymouth. sections, all accessible at each end by public transport. The area has an interesting history, and many local relics The route follows the western relating to its medieval tin edge of Dartmoor passing a mining prosperity. Sir Francis variety of historic settlements, Drake was born less than a mile over moorland and along green from Tavistock at Crowndale, lanes to the of and the route crosses one of his Tavistock, before woodland and legacies - the Drake's (or riverside paths lead east to Plymouth) Leat, constructed in Yelverton. the 16th Century to tap the to supply Plymouth with water.

West Devon Council District Council

Design by www.graphicwords.com 2010/15K BUSINESS REPLY SERVICE Licence No. EX. 70 2

COUNTRYSIDE TEAM DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL LUCOMBE HOUSE COUNTY HALL TOPSHAM ROAD EX2 4QW

n W vo a e y Fold here and secure D t s

e

W using sticky tape before posting Please tell us what you think of this booklet In order to ensure that we are providing you with the best possible information, it would be greatly appreciated if you could answer the following simple questions, and return this detachable reply-paid slip to us.

1. Where did you get this leaflet from?

2. Were you looking specifically for this leaflet? (Please tick one box) Yes No 3. What appealed to you about this leaflet and walk?

4. Can you suggest ways in which we can improve the booklet in the future?

5. Will you walk the West Devon Way as a result of picking up this booklet? (Please tick one box) Yes No Have walked already

6. Are you likely to walk the whole route or just specific day stages? (Please tick one box) Whole route Day stages

7. If you have already followed the whole or stages of the route, did you feel the directions and waymarking were sufficient?

8. If you are a visitor to the area, was availability of walking / cycling routes a significant factor in choosing to visit the area? (Please tick one box) Yes No 9. If you are a visitor to the area, would you stay in overnight accommodation while following the route? (Please tick one box) Yes No If you would like to receive further information on walking in Devon please tick here Name: Address:

Email address: Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire. Please detach the slip, fold along the middle, tape the edges and post it to us, no stamp required.

The details on this form will not be passed on to any third parties, and contact details can be removed from Devon County Council records on request. Devon County Council, Topsham Road, Exeter, EX2 4QD