Halberton to Sampford Peverell – Canal Walk (Stage 2)

Approximate Time: 45mins

Distance: 2 miles/3.2km

Type of Walk: A moderate walk, where towpath is mostly flat and easy, with occasional soft or narrow patches through cuttings, old quarries, and over the embankment. Look out for muddy spots near bridges and tighter sections above the valley, where footing needs a little more attention.

Directions:

1. This stage of the Canal walk begins at Greenway Bridge. This is the nearest point to Halberton Village and is made of dressed sandstone. The material of which the bridges are male reflects the geology of the area through which the Canal is passing, and this one is a reminder that there are some sandstone quarries at Rock, half a mile after Swing Bridge.
2. A short distance after Greenway Bridge, in a cutting, we come to a bridge carrying a farm crossing. For about thirty yards the towpath follows the farm track an then passes a cottage to the south. The Canal then crosses a small valley on a fifty foot embankment.
3. For the next 300 yards, the Canal runs through some old sandstone quarries. Signs of the first one can be seen on the opposite side of the Canal.
4. On the same side there is Halberton Wharf. Here is Rock Bridge, built largely of the local stone, which carries the Tiverton to Sampford Peverell road over the Canal. Notice the grooves of the stop-gate to the east of the bridge and the remains of some iron work on the north bank which was connected with the operation of the barges.
5. The next stretch of the Canal has good distant views eastwards to the Blackdown Hills.
6. Soon Battens Bridge is reached; this is built out of brick with some stone coping. Here the Canal is crossed by a lane connecting the Willand - Halberton road with that between Halberton and Sampford Peverell, and this can be seen running along above the opposite bank for a short distance.
7. Soon Sampford Peverell comes into sight. As the Canal cuts through the middle of the village, it is evident that some properties had to be demolished when it was constructed.
8. It is worthwhile going up onto the bridge and walking up the road, which goes off to the right, to see the church. The church was built in two separate periods. It was founded by Sir Hugh Peverell in 1200 and thirteenth-century work is seen in the nave and tower. The porch and south aisle were added in 1498 at the expense of Lady Margaret Beaufort, Lady of the Manor, mother of Henry V11.
9. At Sampford Peverell the Canal runs in a generally north-easterly direction to the Somerset border, passing through some attractive scenery.