Day 6 - Monday 22 April 2024
Witheridge to Hawkridge (15 miles)
I'm sorry mate, you've had your Breakfast and there is no more. Shall we go and walk Day 6?
Starting from where we ended Day 5 - The Mitre Inn, Witheridge
Trundling down the field edge towards Yeo Copse
Entering the beautiful woodland of Yeo Copse
He's on a mission today
Skirting around the mud near Bradford Moor House
Bradford Moor House
Bradford Bridge Cross
Crossing Bradford Bridge
The bridge was erected jointly by the Ministry of Transport and South Molton Rural District Council in 1927
The bridge was erected jointly by the Ministry of Transport and South Molton Rural District Council in 1927
Creacombe Moor Cross - we were now some 247m (800ft) above sea level. Acorns is a naturist retreat by the way!!
Love the strapline
Between Creacombe Moor Cross & Knowstone was quite a bit of road walking therefore I burst into song which did not impress Fudge (Click Play to view)
The Old Toll House on the B3221. The road was the main turnpike from Tiverton to South Milton in the 18th century.
Time to enjoy a Janner's Mouth Organ - it was only a small one as we were being treated to lunch today in Knowstone
Passing through Knowstone Inner Moor - this is exceptionally wet ground therefore we were thankful for the boardwalk
The path under the A361 with Sturcombe River to the right
Entering Knowstone Nature Reserve & designated conservation area
At the northern end of Knowstone Inner Moor at the cross there is a curious block of worked granite which marks the Millenium in the parish
Guess what - today is Monday!
Right Fudge - lets leave no stone unturned here
Alison, Alfie the Cocker Spaniel and Amber the Labrador
Alison is a Fosterer for Spaniel Aid and had therefore been following our progress on Facebook. She very kindly offered Angie & I lunch at her home in Knowstone which was lovely of her. We spent a good hour and a half in their company and her dogs were just adorable.
Alison is a Fosterer for Spaniel Aid and had therefore been following our progress on Facebook. She very kindly offered Angie & I lunch at her home in Knowstone which was lovely of her. We spent a good hour and a half in their company and her dogs were just adorable.
The 15th century church of St Peter in Knowstone
The Masons Arms in Knowstone
Passing Owlaborough Farm we walked past an old roundhouse that was originally constructed in 1333. Not many remain nowadays but in the past many would have been used to thresh the grain from the chaff by horsepower – the horse would have been harnessed to a central beam and walked around the inside of the building thus driving the machinery within. This roundhouse at Owlaborough was used as a cider press.
Angie & Alison walked with us as far as Highfield Farm then returned to Knowstone whilst we headed on over Owlaborough Moor
Highaton Head Cross above Yeo Mill
Entering the tiny village of Yeo Mill
Just before the village buildings the route passes through the piers of a dismantled railway line. This was the 43 mile single-track Devon & Somerset Railway, a branch line from Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton to Barnstaple. The line was opened in 1873 and operated by the Bristol & Exeter Railway Company, finally closing in 1966.
Partridge Arms Farm in Yeo Mill - a former coaching inn
The Old Shop in Yeo Mill which is now a cottage
Church House & St Petrock's Church in West Anstey
Badlake Moor Cross on the edge of Woodland Common
The second of Peter Randall-Page's sculpture which marks the official start of the Exmoor section of the Two Moors Way
A few paces away from the sculpture is The Memorial Stone to Joe Turner, creator of the Two Moors Way
Fudge adorns the Trig Point on West Anstey Common
The Venford Stone - thought to be a 19th century boundary stone for land belonging to Venford Farm which is roughly a mile to the south east
Crossing Slade Bridge - the sheep ahead were bleating loudly but I declined to 'come on feel the noise"
Crossing the border from West Anstey into Hawkridge
Angie meets us near Hawkridge
A rustic seat circles a solitary Copper Beech Tree next to the old village water pump in Hawkridge
The church of St Giles in Hawkridge which dates from the 14th & 15th centuries
The simple but beautiful interior of St Giles Church
Back at the cottage, Fudge had already crashed out his kit in readiness for tomorrows walk to Simonsbath
GPX Files - if these are required then please use the Contact Form to let me know and I will gladly forward them on
Day 6 Data
|
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage Time Total Ascent |
15 miles
91.4 miles 6hrs 35mins 2204ft (672m) |