01 Walk around Furley, Howley, Marsh and Yarcombe

Blackdown Hills AONB, Devon

This is a long rewarding walk around four local villages, with two potential pub stops* after 7.8 miles (Checkpoint 9) and 9.8 miles (11). There are a few steep climbs, but they’re worth it (we think!) for the views back across the valley, including all the way to the coast on a clear day.

* We recommend checking pub opening times before you set off, as many pubs here have limited opening hours.

• Total distance 11.3 miles (18.2km)
• Estimated time 5hrs 20mins
• Elevation 232 ft at lowest point, 813 ft at highest point
• Total ascent 1537 ft

There’s a short section crossing fields with potential livestock, between checkpoints 4 and 5 (see map). Otherwise this is mostly along quiet single track country lanes.
There’s an opportunity to stop in at the dog-friendly Ferne Animal Sanctuary (between checkpoints 5 and 6).
There are two potential pub stops – one in Marsh at the Flintlock Inn, and another at the Yarcombe Inn. For information about pubs and contact details, check out our Local Pubs web page – we recommend you do this first as many pubs here have limited opening hours.

These instructions start at Ley Farm, Yarcombe, EX14 9LW, however you could also start it from either of the two pubs, or from Ferne Animal Sanctuary.

1. Leave Ley Farm turning right out of the gate onto the lane (heading south). After a few minutes you’ll pass a lane heading up the valley to your right, and then shortly after, take the lane heading down to the left (Lower Lye). Immediately after passing through Lower Lye, head straight on and you’ll drop down into a gully with a rocky path with stream alongside. At the end of the path turn left onto the lane which then takes you down to cross the River Yarty at Long Bridge – Look out for the old warning sign on the bridge; you’re now in Stockland parish which had historically been an exclave of Dorset until the Counties (Detached Parts) Act 1844. After crossing the bridge turn first right at the crossroads.

2. Follow this lane south along the bottom of the valley until you get to Lake Farm, and a junction with sharp left turn uphill signposted towards Furley. After a steep climb to the top of this lane, take a right turn signposted towards Furley and Membury. After passing a sign for a footpath heading off to the right, you’ll see a signpost for an ‘Unmettled road’ turning left off the lane onto a gravel / rough track.

3. Take this path which follows a route between fields over the top of the valley. As the path ends continue straight through Thorn Farm before turning left at the road junction. Head all the way down this lane, passing Furley Cottages and Rose Cottage, until you reach Ford House where the lane turns sharply left and you have a metal gate into a field in front of you.

4. Pass through the metal gate onto a track heading steeply uphill. Note – There may be livestock in these fields so please keep any dogs under close control. Keep to the track heading up the valley – you’ll pass between some old buildings that appear half-renovated. Keep to the route signposted ‘Public Bridleway’, then at the top end of the track you’ll pass through another metal gate onto a wide lane. This is a relatively busy road which runs to Axminster heading south, so watch out for traffic. At this point, take the time to stop and look back south behind you along the valley. On a clear day you can see all the way down the Axe Valley to the coast at Seaton – look for the flat line at the lowest point on the far horizon. Once through the metal gate turn left onto the road.

5. At checkpoint 5 you cross the county border into Somerset. Continue along this road and after passing a lane to the left you’ll pass a distinctive tree with a high canopy standing alone on the right side of the road – you can clearly make this tree out on the horizon from Ley Farm (see if you can find it later). At the crossroads stay on the main road heading straight across signposted towards Chard and Ferne Animal Sanctuary.

6. Once past Ferne Animal Sanctuary, take the first road turning diagonally off to the left, then continue straight on this road at the crossroads. Continue along this road with woods on your left. Shortly after the end of the woods, take the lane falling off to the left. Head down this lane until you read the A30 crossing (take care as you approach – traffic moves fast along this road).

7. Take care crossing straight across the A30, then follow this lane which eventually drops down into the village of Howley. At the end of the lane take a left turn towards the village, then take the first right down a lane marked ‘Unsuitable for heavy good vehicles’. Keep to this lane, following the route across the valley.

8. Keep to the lane as it winds downhill bending left twice before crossing the River Yarty. Take care passing under the A303 (back into Devon) before following the road around to the left. You’ll soon see a sign to let you know you’ve entered the small village of Marsh, Yarcombe’s neighbouring village in the parish. Stay on the main road running through the village until you reach the Flintlock Inn for a well deserved rest / pint.

9. The next step requires care and attention! Continue along the road, leaving the village at the opposite end you entered. Caution! This road eventually becomes a slip lane off the A303. Take care heading down this road, keeping hugged to the right bank of the A303 for around 50 metres past a short row of old cottages, until you see a lane on the opposite side of the road. Cross the road and take this lane heading down and then up a steep climb to a T junction with a farm to your left. Take a right turn here, heading up a lane with woods to your left. Take another left at the next T junction heading steeply up the last section of the hill above Yarcombe – it’s mostly downhill from here!

10. At point ’10’, just over the top of the hill, the view should open up (weather permitting) along the Yarty valley – For the best views, look out for an earth mound to the left of the lane just past a gate at the top of the hill. You’ll soon see Yarcombe village below you. At the end of this lane take a right turn at the pink house, keeping to this lane passing through Lower Pithayne Farm. After entering the village you’ll pass the Village Hall and Church before taking a left turn, downhill onto the A30.

11. If open, the Yarcombe Inn provides another opportunity for rest and refreshment – it’s less than a mile and a half back to Ley Farm from here. Cross the A30 at the pub taking the pavement heading downhill out of the village. Shortly after leaving the village take the first lane to the right signposted towards Stockland. Continue for just over a mile keeping to this lane, passing the lane to Hay Farm, Peterhayes Farm, eventually arriving back at Ley Farm.

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