We're staying here and the Trail is a short walk from the cottage and within 10mins we're in Okehampton. From here we follow the Okement River as far as Charlotte's Bridge (a tragic story) before turning north east for Stockley Hamlet, leaving the Trail behind. We zig-zag through the lanes as far as Brightly where we stumble upon Priory Cottage and both agree that we wouldn't mind living there.
South West Walks
Meldon
A 11.6 mile walk in which I channel my inner Bear Grylls. It wasn't the intention but, once you're 8 miles in and the path disappears in the bog, then you're kind of committed. It's still early as we climb away from the car park by the Meldon Reservoir. It's mostly deserted apart from a few eager dog walkers and a couple equipped with full waterproofs and walking poles...perhaps, with hindsight, we should have taken the hint! The recent rain has left the ground muddy and we're not long into the walk before the rain returns. Still, as we splash along the disused railway lines over Coombe and Southerly Down, there's plenty to talk about and it doesn't dampen our spirits.
Barbury Castle
A walk through an ancient landscape on less permanent footpaths! The 8-30am sunshine is perfect and there are panoramic views north from the fort. This is an ancient landscape and from The Ridgeway we catch glimpses of Silbury Hill and Avebury in the distance.
Lyndhurst, Hampshire
We head out to the Forest. This is the weather we've been waiting for; bright blue skies and a warm breeze. We park just outside Lyndhurst, close to the The Oak Inn and walk south towards Brockenhurst. The paths are busy, well for the first part of our walk. Things thin out on the return as we take a more 'off piste' route.
Ringmoor Down, Devon
The steep climb up onto Ringmoor Down leaves us our of breath and besides, the roads are surprisingly busy. Lots of people are out for a half-term drive over the Moors, taking advantage of the fact the skies have cleared and the sun is now shining.
Ringmore, Devon
Memory is a funny thing. It's been forty years since I was here last and parts of Challaborough haven't changed a bit. The view of Burgh Island from the beach, the caravan park, the stream across the beach that we used to dam...and yet this walk is much longer in my imagination.
Barn Hill, Devon
A windy walk on Dartmoor near Tavistock. We're staying in Tavistock and our walk today is a short drive up onto the moor at Whitchurch Down. Getting out of the car the wind tugs at the doors, as if to encourage us to get walking.
Zennor, Cornwall
The weather was spectacular for late December. We parked up in the small car park on the B3306 St Ives road, just below Rosewall Hill, and walked down to the coastal footpath.
Praa Sands, Cornwall
Not the walk we'd planned...but then we're learning that, round here, because it's marked on the map doesn't mean it exists!
Where Angells Tread! 