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English CountiesNational Parks |
Walking in Devon
Protecting the southern coast with its mediteranean flora, is the wild and brooding mass of Dartmoor National Park, a stunning contrast and providing a unique walking experience. In the north east, part of the softer fissured moorland of Exmoor tumbles over the county boundary. Central Devon is also enchanting with it's rolling green hills, narrow winding lanes and sleepy villages. The East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty provides a rich coloured tapestry of red, lush green and chalk white. The Blackdown Hills AONB, a series of ridges on the Devon / Somerset border, provide easy pleasant walking with very few people. The only problem with Devon is being spoilt for choice. Drewsteignton - Drewsteignton is a lovely little village on the edge of Dartmoor, overlooking the spectacular Teign Gorge. It is believed to take its name from a Norman knight, Drogo de Teigne, who was the local landowner. Thatched cottages surround the central square with the imposing 15th and 16th century church at one end. Castle Drogo nearby, which is open for visitors, looks medieval, but was actually built in the 20th century. OS Maps: Explorer OL28 A Walk from Drewsteignton [SX
735908]
North of the town, besides the little river Creedy, a footpath leads to Upton Hellions. Another route, mainly through pleasant farmland with a short but steep climb at the start, provides panoramic views across the countryside, including the hills of Dartmoor. The route heads south from Crediton past Queen Elizabeth College towards Uton. After crossing the Tarka railway line it heads west, following the River Yeo for a short while. before heading to Fordton. The countryside surrounding Crediton provides idylic peaceful walking and there are a number of attractive and interesting villages worth visiting including the cob and thatched village of Cheriton Fitzpaine, Colesbrooke and Shobrook Barton. From Shobrooke you can use a combination of quiet country lanes and footpaths across farmland to plan a route visiting Shobrooke Mill Farm, Shobrooke Barton with its lovely Anglo-Norman church of St Swithins and Shobrooke Park. The climbs in the walk are rewarded by fine views across rolling Devon countryside. Sandford is another small village just 1.5 miles north of Crediton. Documented history of the village goes back to a Saxon charter of 930AD and its true origin is probably much earlier. The name means 'sandy ford'. The centre of the village dates back to the Middle Ages and has changed little since the 19th. century. On 15th July the Sandford Revel, a revival of a medieval fayre, includes open-air sports and fairground attractions. The village today is a thriving community with a village store and two pubs. The historic centre of the village has been designated a Conservation Area by Mid Devon district Council. There is a varied walk from Sandford to Upton Hellions using footpaths, green lanes and quiet country roads, which passes through some beautiful Mid Devon countryside. The route also takes in the historic parish churches of Sandford and Upton Hellions. Leaving Sandford to the north the route then heads east to Northlakes and along a green lane to Helions Mill after crossing 'Shakey Bridge' over the River Creedy. At Upper Hellions the attractive church of St. Mary the Virgin can be visited. From here there are fine views across the Creedy Valley. Return is via Lower Creedy and Thornhedges Lane.
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