07 Churchinford, Bishopswood, Marsh and Yarcombe

Blackdown Hills AONB, Devon

This is a long circular hike across into the Otter Valley heading up through the village of Churchinford, then back across into the Yarty Valley through Bishopswood, Marsh and Yarcombe villages. It’s mostly along quiet country lanes but it does cross a few busy A roads. It also heads across-valley (rather than along), so there are quite a few climbs and falls along the way. There are amazing views of the Yarty Valley near the end; the final 3 miles are mostly downhill!

• Total distance 14.3 miles (23.0km)
• Estimated time 5hrs 34mins
• Elevation 349 ft at lowest point, 869 ft at highest point
• Total ascent 1,870 ft

There are a number of pub stop/rest options, including The York Inn in Churchinford, Candlelight Inn in Bishopswood, Flintlock Inn in Marsh and finally the Yarcombe Inn. For contact details and opening hours*, check our page here.

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

These instructions start at Ley Farm, Yarcombe, EX14 9LW, however you could also start it from the Kings Arms in Stockland.

1. Turn left out of Ley Farm heading north.  Continue on the lane for around a mile, passing a lane to the right and then passing a lane to the left.  After the lane drops turning right and then left, you’ll reach a second left turning.

2. Take this left turning, heading up the side of the valley. As the road curves right it starts to climb steeply until you reach the end at the A30. Turn right, heading along the pavement until you reach a left turning opposite signposted towards Taunton.

3. Take the left turning heading uphill. Keep to this road for just over a mile until you reach the end at the A303. When you reach the A303, don’t cross right away but instead turn left keeping to the grass bank running along the side of the A road until you see a lane opposite with signpost “Unsuitable for motor vehicles”. Take care crossing the A303 here and take the lane.

4. Continue along this lane which winds its way down into the Otter Valley. Take the first right turning just after Knapp Farm and continue downhill until you reach a turning on the left.

5. Take this turning, crossing the River Otter (more of a stream given you are high up the valley), curving right at Hoemoon Farm before climbing the valley. After passing Lower Luxton Farm the lane continues to wind its way up the side of the valley. Keep to the lane, curving left at the first junction before reaching the end of the lane at a T junction.

6. Turn right, heading along the road which levels off before starting a gradual decline towards Churchinford.

7. When you arrive at Churchinford, the pub stop option is a highly recommended classic old pub, The York Inn which is at the centre of the village where all lanes meet – a great stop for lunch. Once done, exit the village taking ‘Royston Road’, opposite the side of the pub and signposted towards Bishopswood and Ilminster. Continue along this road for around 3 miles, passing through Royston Water, then crossing a main road before falling towards Bishopswood.

8. Once in Bishopswood (a long spread-out village), the pub stop is The Candlelight Inn, also renown for good food, which is on the main road through the village. After you’ve finished there, take the lane opposite, heading along the side of the Yarty Valley.

9. Ignore any turn-off. Eventually the lane falls towards Marsh village. As you get to the village take the first (sharp) left turning along the back of a row of houses, then right at the bottom onto the main road running through Marsh. You’ll notice how wide the road is – it used to be part of the A303 before the bypass was constructed in the 70s.

10. The pub stop option in Marsh is at the Flintlock Inn, which you’ll get to once through the village. 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 hugging 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 (Buckshots) heading steeply up the last section of the hill above Yarcombe – it’s mostly downhill from here!

11. At point ’11’, 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.

12. 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.