Visit Mid Devon / Walking routes / Huntsham Circular Walk via Dog Down & Bampton Down Cross
Walking

Huntsham Circular Walk via Dog Down & Bampton Down Cross

Short (0-3 miles)
family-friendly Family Friendly
dog-friendly Dog Friendly
This walk incorporates Huntsham’s attractive historic buildings with panoramic views across the parish and towards Exmoor. An easy walk at any time of year, particularly when the mature trees that line the paths display their autumn colours.
Huntsham Circular Walk via Dog Down & Bampton Down Cross

Approximate Time: 1 hour (not allowing for stops)

Distance: 2½ miles/4 km

Type of Walk: Easy with only one gradual climb, footpath, bridleway and quiet country lanes. No open fields to cross. Dog friendly.

Directions:

  1. With the Old Post Office behind you head pass the War Memorial and take the lane marked with a ‘T’  junction sign and immediately take the footpath (signed) on your right towards the church passing the lychgate.
  2. Continue to follow the outside of the churchyard wall, and then follow old metal railings bordering a paddock and continue to cross the driveway that runs to Huntsham Court, passing over a manicured lawn running along a laurel hedge.
  3. Arrive through the gap meeting up with another footpath (unmetalled lane) and keep left past the front of the Old Schoolhouse. Continue along the track and arrive at the road at Lake Cross.
  4. At Lake Cross turn left onto the road. Follow the road for ½ a mile and turn left at the first crossroad, Dog Down Cross, take the track marked with a bridleway sign.
  5. Follow this track, which is wide enough for farm vehicles for nearly ¾ of a mile. There are extensive views along this tree lined track northwards towards Exmoor and Haddon Hill.
  6. At the first crossroad amongst beech trees, known as Bampton Down Cross, turn left down the only metalled lane. Follow this very quiet lane for just over ½ a mile and enjoy the fine views across the parish with Huntsham Court, a Victorian Grade II* country house nestled in the landscape, now currently run as a wedding venue.
  7. You can head straight back to your car or take a permissive path on your left, through a metal gate surrounded by vegetation. Keep right and follow the edge of the pond, crossing a small wooden bridge towards the Church before turning right and along the footpath taken at the beginning of the walk.

With thanks to Borden Gate Parish Council for this walk. Photography courtesy of Julian Nicholson.

Huntsham Circular Walk via Dog Down & Bampton Down Cross

Bampton & The Exmoor Fringe
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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