Top 10 Forest and Woodland Walks in South Devon
When it comes to scenery, most of us associate South Devon with its unspoilt farmland and varied coastline incorporating...
by Coast And Country / Walks
Here’s our visual guide to the popular Loddiswell Woods walk, well-known for its peaceful riverside and forest scenery, historical interest and the welcome chance it brings to pop into the excellent Avon Mill Café en route.
The walk joins up with the old ‘Primrose’ Railway Line, which operated between Kingsbridge and South Brent from 1893 to 1963. The railway has long gone, but it left many marks on the landscape, including a bridge that makes this walk possible and the level riverside trail you’ll follow on your way back to the village.
At under four miles, it’s not a long walk but the terrain is challenging in places, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
Starting at Loddiswell Square (by the Post Office), walk towards the church.
Follow the road to the left of the Church.
The road bends left and then right uphill.
Follow the road downhill towards Ham Butts farm.
At the entrance to Ham Butts farm, turn right, following the Public Footpath sign.
Follow the path to the left until you reach a footbridge on your left. Cross it.
Continue along the path to your right, alongside the river.
Be careful along this stretch, you’ll find a few obstacles along the path. Some you’ll need to go under…
Others you’ll have to go over…
There are also steep, uneven steps to climb.
Go over the turnstile.
Stay on the path by the river. You’ll come to the old railway bridge. Climb the steps onto the bridge.
Cross the bridge over the river.
This fairly straight path takes you back alongside the river.
Towards the end of this path, you’ll pass a farmhouse on your right. When you reach the road, turn right down the hill which bends right to the bridge.
Go under the bridge.
To avoid walking on the road, take the footpath on your right (less than a hundred yards past the bridge).
At the end of the field you’ll come to a bridge. Turn right, passing Avon Mill Garden Centre on your right.
Why not stop by the café at Avon Mill Garden Centre for a coffee or tasty homemade meal? Find out why Avon Mill is one of our top Garden Centres in South Devon here.
Follow the road up the steep hill.
At the second left-hand bend, take the second right, signposted for Cloverwell Farm (although the sign is easy to miss in the tall grass!)
Take the footpath to the left, by the entrance to Cloverwell Farm.
You’ll come out at a crossroad. Turn left, retracing your steps towards the Church and village.
Did you enjoy this walk? Why not try these classic South Devon walks too?
The 130-square-mile South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers infinite possibilities for keen walkers. On your next holiday, you could be exploring the South West Coast Path from Batten Bay to Brixham, the spectacular Dart Valley trail, our historic towns and villages, and our acres of open, unspoilt countryside.
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