Day 4 - Thursday 18 April 2024
Chagford to Clannaborough Barton (16.5 miles)
Another beautiful Devon day as we ready ourselves to leave Chagford for Clannaborough Barton
Another look at the church of St Michael the Archangel in Chagford.........
...... as well as The Market House aka the "Pepperpot"
Near the Market House is a stone trough with a tap emerging from the granite column behind it which houses a water tank. It was given to the town by a Colonel Germon for animals to drink from. This is known as the Fountain, and has been in the protection of the Parish Council for use by all since it was provided in 1889.
Bishop's House Chagford
Bishop’s House is a late medieval cross passage house and is Grade 2 listed. It was so called as it is said to have been associated with Bishop Branscombe who dedicated the Church in 1261.
Bishop’s House is a late medieval cross passage house and is Grade 2 listed. It was so called as it is said to have been associated with Bishop Branscombe who dedicated the Church in 1261.
Rushford Bridge over the River Teign
Near Rushford Mill is Chagford's very own Open Air Swimming Pool. The pool was dug out by hand in the 1930s by local people on land given to the town by a nearby family. The pool is river fed and put through a filter system before it is pumped into the pool.
After Rushford Mill the route passes through woodland alongside the River Teign. On an island sits two halves of a granite ball - this was placed here in 1991 and is known as "Granite Song". It is the work of internationally renowned sculptor and local man Peter Randall-Page.
The rushing waters of the River Teign (Click Play to view)
The beautiful woodland path just south of Dogmarsh Bridge
Entering the Castle Drogo Estate near Dogmarsh Bridge
Dogmarsh Bridge
Leaving the woodland path, the route turns left to head up to Hunter's Tor & Castle Drogo
Passing the idyllic property of Gibhouse
I continued along the Hunter's Path towards Castle Drogo which was somewhere above me
The beautiful Teign Gorge - and I caught it on a really good weather day which was a bonus
Must have known I was coming
Another look down Teign Gorge this time with the River Teign below
What? Cafe! Time to break off from the route and investigate.
Arriving at Castle Drogo. We were here fairly early therefore it was pretty quiet.
Whilst waiting for my Sausage Sarnie & Pot of Tea, Fudge decided to have a "stare off" with a Springer Spaniel
Food of the Gods. With the promise of a bit of Sausage, Fudge keeps a look out for any Castle Drogo Sausage Bandits
Castle Drogo
This granite structure, which was shaped and chiselled by hand was designed by Sir Edward Lutyens for the Home & Colonial Stores entrepreneur Sir Julian Drewe as a private home and was constructed between 1911 & 1930. Its claim to fame is that it was the last ever castle to be built in England.
This granite structure, which was shaped and chiselled by hand was designed by Sir Edward Lutyens for the Home & Colonial Stores entrepreneur Sir Julian Drewe as a private home and was constructed between 1911 & 1930. Its claim to fame is that it was the last ever castle to be built in England.
Looking back along the path above Teign Gorge to Castle Drogo
This was just glorious walking - especially on a day like today
Fudge on Sharp Tor above the Teign Gorge
I really took my time heading along the top of the gorge
Looking back to Sharp Tor
All too soon the path along the top of the gorge came to an end and I turned to the left to follow the path to Drewsteignton
Heading down to Drewsteignton - we had our second "cow avoidance" incident here and just did a slight diversion
Passing the Two Moors Way stone on the edge of Drewsteignton
Arriving in Drewsteignton - I wonder if the pub will be open?
Looks promising eh Fudge!!
The Drewe Arms in Drewsteignton - it was 1150 and it opened at 1200. I couldn't be arsed waiting.
The pub is reputed to have had the oldest ever licensee in the country. Mabel Mudge ran the pub with her husband Ernest for 75 years until her retirement aged 99 in 1994.
The pub is reputed to have had the oldest ever licensee in the country. Mabel Mudge ran the pub with her husband Ernest for 75 years until her retirement aged 99 in 1994.
Holy Trinity Church in Drewsteignton - dating from the 16th century. Sir Julius Drewe, the owner of Castle Drogo is buried in the churchyard under a Lutyens Memorial. The cottage to the right is Church Cottage and was purchased by public subscription and presented to the church for use by the Caretaker.
The frontage of Holy Trinity Church
Veet Mill Cross
One half of Peter Randall Page's Two Moors Sculpture - we would see the other half later in the walk on Day 6
Crossing the new A30 taken from the old A30
I've a feeling it won't be long before the hut on the right hits the grass
Fudge's favourite terrain - large swathes of grass
Crossing the River Yeo near West Ford Farm
Grove Cottage near Whitethorn Farm
Passing the former school & schoolhouse in Hittisleigh
By this time it was nearly 1330 therefore we intended to stop & rest a while at Hittisleigh Church - most churches have benches therefore we were both looking forward to a bit of food and a nice sit down.
Hittisleigh's Church of St Andrew (and bench) which dates from the 1500s (the Church not the bench)
As I fart around taking photographs, Fudge gives me the eyes as if to say "I normally have my lunch at 1200 - where is it?"
Lunch suitably demolished we both settle down to a nice rest in the sun
Binneford Cross - we were heading in the direction of Yeoford
It's my guess the bath water needs changing
Crossing the single track Exeter to Okehampton railway line near Prestons
The 15th century cob & thatched farmhouse of Whelmstone Barton
A cow procession near Appledore Farm - the cow at the front gives us an "eyes left"
We waited safely behind a gate next to an electric fence until the cows passed although they were clearly interested in us. We must have been stood there for about 20 minutes until it was safe to cross over the farm track.
At this stage I was starting to feel little tired (I'll get my coat)
Almost there now as we meet up with Angie near Sweetfield Farm
Clannaborough Barton Church which is dedicated to St Petrock
The interior of Clannaborough Barton Church
GPX Files - if these are required then please use the Contact Form to let me know and I will gladly forward them on
Day 4 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
16.5 miles
63.9 miles
7hrs 35mins
2421ft (738m)
63.9 miles
7hrs 35mins
2421ft (738m)