Exe Valley Way (Stage 7): Bampton to Brushford

Exe Valley Way (Stage 7): Bampton to Brushford

Approximate Time: 2hrs

Distance: 4 miles/6km

Type of Walk: This moderate walk takes you through fields and woods. The trail follows a mixture of paved roads and rougher paths so be cautious following/during wetter weather and when walking along roads.

Directions:

1. From the war memorial by the car park near the church, take the narrow road which climbs gently uphill (signposted Dulverton for light cars and Exebridge).
2. Turn right up the path at Grey Gables, bearing left to a metal gate at the top.
3. Follow the hedge to a stile, then follow the track downhill left, then bear left to a stile in the left-hand corner of the field.
4. Cross the three stiles, then go uphill next to the hedgebank, keeping it on your right.
5. Cross the stile at the top and bear slightly away from the hedge, aiming for the obvious gap at the top of the field. Cross the stile.
6. Cross the next field diagonally to the top left-hand corner, turn left then immediately right, along the field edge, with the hedge on your left. At the end go through the gate and follow the hedge on your right downhill to a gate into a farmyard.
7. Take the track through the farmyard. Bear left at the farmhouse, then left again along a grassy track to a gate, into a field. Go through, follow the hedge on the left and descend in a shallow gully to a lane.
8. Turn left along the lane. At the bottom cross the main road carefully and take the road opposite (signposted to Dulverton, Brushford). Be careful on the next stretch of road, which can be busy in summer.
9. Go into Exebridge, cross the Exe and continue to the road junction, 250m (275 yards) past the bridge.
10. Turn left at the junction (signposted Oldways End) and continue along the lane to the cottage at the bottom of the hill.
11. Take the track next to the cottage, go through the gate and follow the track across the field.
12. Go past an old barn and continue on the track for 400m (440 yards) until arriving at a gate on the left.
13. Go through, turn right and go through the yard and on to a farm lane.
14. Where this swings right, leave on the left through a metal kissing gate and cross the old railway to the lane.
15. Brushford church is on the left; turn right for the village centre and the route to Dulverton and Hawkridge.