Blackdown Hills AONB, Devon
This circular local walk takes you around our valley along quiet single track country lanes. It’s just over 6 miles, there is a slightly shorter and much flatter walk option if you stick to the lower route along the valley (see green route on map). Otherwise, there are a few short steep sections as you climb the other side of the valley. The route loops back through Stockland village with a highly recommended pub stop* just over a mile from home.
* We recommend checking pub opening times before you set off, as many pubs here have limited opening hours.
- Total distance 6.1 miles (9.9km)
- Estimated time 2hrs 47mins
- Elevation 191 ft at lowest point, 493 ft at highest point
- Total ascent 656 ft
- The route loops back through the village of Stockland, with a highly recommended pub stop at the Kings Arms. Telephone: 01404 613254 to check hours and reserve a table. The Kings Arms is just over a mile back to Ley Farm
These instructions start at Ley Farm, Yarcombe, EX14 9LW, however you could also start it from the Kings Arms.
- Leave Ley Farm turning left out of the gate onto the lane (heading north). Follow the lane downhill crossing a stream before rising and passing Peterhayes Farm. Keep to the lane until you reach a turning to the right towards Hay Farm. Take this turn heading gradually down the valley, passing Hay Farm, crossing a small ford before a short steep rise to a junction with a house on your left.
- Turn right at the junction, heading downhill to the River Yarty. Once you pass a farm you’ll reach the river with a ford crossing. In the drier months you may be able to cross the ford. Otherwise take the footbridge crossing, which leads onto a short path crossing a field heading back onto the lane through a gate. Once across the river, continue on the lane which starts to climb the valley before turning right. Continue along the lane until you reach a junction by North Grays Farm.
- Here you have the option of taking a slightly shorter and less hilly route by continuing straight on along the bottom of the valley. If taking this route keep to this lane, crossing directly over the crossroads at Long Bridge House, eventually arriving at Lake Farm (go to checkpoint 5). See green route on map.
Otherwise, take the left turning at North Gray Farm, heading steeply uphill passing Oat Errish on your left – a property featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs and completed in 2017. Continue along the lane which winds its way up the side of the valley. Once you reach Webble Farm there is a good view looking back across the valley to Ley Farm. Continue until you reach the end of the lane.
- Turn right at the end of the lane heading downhill. Take care as this is a slightly busier road (it used to be the coach route between Exeter and London). After a short while, at Webble Green junction take the first left turn onto a lane singposted towards Furley and Membury, continuing along the side of the valley. Shortly after passing Land Farm (birthplace of Thomas Wakley) you’ll reach a junction with a lane heading off to the right (Cott junction). Take this right turn which winds downhill. At the bottom of the lane you arrive at Lake Farm. Take a left turn here.
- After passing Lake Farm the lane winds its way along the side of the valley. Soon after you pass a large old oak tree on the left of the road, the lane starts to fall. Continue straight on and the lane will head downhill before rising to another right turning (signposted to Stockland) with a house opposite.
- Take this right turning towards Stockland. After you pass a lane heading off to the right, the lane falls to cross an old bridge over the River Yarty (Case Bridge) and a few minutes later you’ll reach the end of the lane at a T junction (Crandons). Turn right here. The lane eventually starts heading uphill toward Stockland village. After the road levels you’ll pass a small school (on your left), then Stockland village hall (on your right) before entering the village. When you get to the middle of the village you’ll see an old telephone box, and opposite, a right turning uphill which is the route back to Ley Farm. However, The Kings Arms Inn is straight ahead in case refreshments are in order.
- Once done at the Kings Arms Inn, head back to the junction in the middle of the village and take the turning uphill signposted towards Yarcombe and Chard (opposite the old telephone box). After passing Battens Farm the road will curve left before you see a left turning with a white thatched house on the opposite side of the road (Road End Cross).
- Take this left turn continuing uphill a short way. Keep to this lane, first passing the track down to Lower Lye, then passing a lane heading uphill on your left, eventually arriving back at Ley Farm.
Ley Farm Cottages 