Visit Mid Devon / Walking routes / Hemyock to Dunkeswell Abbey
Walking

Hemyock to Dunkeswell Abbey

Medium (3-6 miles)
family-friendly Family Friendly
dog-friendly Dog Friendly
Hemyock to Dunkeswell Abbey countryside walk - welcome to the Blackdown Hills of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Hemyock to Dunkeswell Abbey

Approximate Time: 2 hrs

Distance: 5 miles/8km

Type of Walk: The route follows a mix of quiet country lanes, wooded paths, and open farmland, with challenging parts due to some muddy, uneven, or rutted stretches after rain. Expect steady climbs, narrow hedge‑lined sections, and livestock‑grazed fields, along with a few wetter patches near streams where footing needs a little more care.

Parking:

Park at Hemyock car park.

Directions:

  1. From the post office along the Culmbridge road to Fourways Cross, turn right towards Matford River. Bend right at Fivebridge Cross to Matford Cross. Turn right and then left, just beyond the barn join the footpath on your right towards a stile and and a bridge in the bottom corner of the field. Look for the gates oppositie for the next two fields to a wooden bridge.
  2. Head towards Holy Trinity Church (the site of the former Abbey Church). Carry along the edge of the path to the Abbey hamlet. At the Abbey cross turn right and follow the lane to the T junction turning left.
  3. Start your climb up the hill, near the top take the footpath on the right and fork left through a gate leading you through fields - welcome to the Blackdown Hills - stunning views! The path bends and at the gateway take the right turn down a stony lane. 
  4. Finally turn left and then right back to Hemyock.

Hemyock to Dunkeswell Abbey

Cullompton & The Culm Valley
Download GPX

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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