Visit Mid Devon / Cycle routes / Churchinford, Upottery and Culm Valley Circuit
Cycling

Churchinford, Upottery and Culm Valley Circuit

Medium (10-25 miles)
This cycle gives opportunity to take short detours to visit Dunkeswell Abbey, Otterhead Lakes and Smeatharpe Airfield along the way.
Churchinford, Upottery and Culm Valley Circuit

Approximate Time: 2hrs

Distance: 17½ miles/28km

Type of Cycle: moderate, with rolling and sometimes steep Blackdown Hills lanes that include long climbs, fast descents, and narrow hedge‑lined stretches where surfaces can be muddy, gravelly, or debris‑strewn. Expect challenging gradients, tight bends, and varied rural road conditions,

There is also an optional shorter 12 mile/19km route.

Parking:

Churchinford Village Hall

Directions:

  1. Starting from the village hall car park, Honiton Road, Churchinford. Turn left out of the car park and follow the road for 4 miles to Upottery.
  2. In Upottery turn right, signposted Hemyock, 50 metres before the Sidmouth Arms.
  3. At Mathayes Cross turn right, signposted Hemyock.
  4. Turn left at Riggles Cross.
  5. At junction turn left, then right, signposted Madford, Hemyock.
  6. At crossways (Fourways Cross) turn left.
  7. At Culm Bridge take a sharp right.
  8. Take right fork and follow the road for 1.5 miles.
  9. Turn left at Lilycombe Cross, singposted Churchstanton.
  10. At junction turn right on to ridge road.
  11. Turn first right, signposted Burnworthy.
  12. At junction turn right, signposted Churchstanton.
  13. At crossroads go straight over, signposted Churchinford.
  14. At crossroads go straight over, signposted Churchinford.
  15. At junction turn left on to main road and then right into car park.

For optional shorter 12 miles/19 km route (replace stages 1-6)

a. Turn left out of car park and then right into Red Lane opposite the York Inn.
b. At crossroads go straight over, signposted Hemyock and follow for nearly 4 miles.
c. Turn sharp right at Culm Bridge.
Go to instruction 8.

Take extra care at junctions and bends, Take particular care crossing the road at point 5, travelling between 10 and 11 and crossroads at 13 and 14 as these can be fast roads.

Churchinford, Upottery and Culm Valley Circuit

Cullompton & The Culm Valley

Whichever route you choose, please observe The Countryside Code.  Please park your car with consideration to residents and other road users and, most important of all, enjoy yourself and our lovely Mid Devon countryside.

The Countryside Code:

  • Respect other people and enjoy the outdoors and the communities you visit.
  • Leave gates and property as you find them.
  • Leave no trace of your visit and take your litter home.
  • Keep dogs under effective control.
  • Plan ahead and be prepared and use pathways unless wider accesses are available.
  • Follow advice and local signage.
  • For the full Countryside Code, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/the-countryside-code

Mid Devon District Council at Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton, EX16 6PP (“we”, “us” or “our”) operate the website www.visitmiddevon.co.uk (our “Website“).

We provide information for users of the Website (“you” or “your“), including written, diagrammatic and photographic material, in relation to walking and cycling routes in Devon (the “Routes“). Whilst every effort is taken to ensure that the Routes are correct and accurate, we do not accept any responsibility for errors, omissions or other inaccuracies.

Details of the Routes may change for a number of reasons including, but not limited to, changes in the landscape, variances of rights of way, adverse weather conditions or livestock. We do not guarantee to monitor these and it is your responsibility to make appropriate enquiries to determine whether any such situations have affected the Routes and it is your responsibility to check for the suitability of a Route and for the existence of any hazards.

You are responsible for your own safety and wellbeing whilst using the Routes – it is essential that you are properly equipped and that you are using the Routes in conjunction with a map and compass. We may give an indication of the nature and difficulty of the Routes, however it remains entirely your responsibility to ensure that they are suitable and that you are fit and capable enough to undertake them.  Please remember that mountain biking is a potentially hazardous activity carrying a significant risk. It should only be undertaken with a full understanding of all inherent risks. The difficulty levels provided are only guides and must always be used in conjunction with the exercise of your own experience, intuition and careful judgment.

We will not be liable in any way for any direct, indirect, punitive or consequential damages arising out of, or in any way in connection with, the use of the Routes or participation in related activities. If you choose to rely on the Routes or participate in such activities, including walking the Routes, you do so entirely at your own risk.

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