Discover the tranquility of the countryside and the charm of rural life as you embark on this delightful, mainly flat, walk starting in the historic market town of Colyton.
Wander through fields by the meandering river Coly and along country lanes, passing through the village of Northleigh, before reaching Church Green just west of Farway.
Additional Information
Additional Information Subtitle
The whole of the East Devon Way has been waymarked with the foxglove/pink arrow markers to help you find your way.
Gallery
Quick view route description:
1. Starting from Colyton’s Dolphin Street car park...
cross over the road and walk behind the Colcombe Castle with the market square on your left, leading to Vicarage Street behind the church.
On your left pass the grand wrought iron gates of Colyton House where, opposite, the East Devon Way rejoins you from the right (it follows Rosemary Lane and St Andrew’s Square). Continue onwards, then soon turn right to cross the stone Chantry Bridge they converge at the end.
2. Once over the bridge turn immediately left into the field with the river Coly on your left.
For the next 2¼ miles you will be near the river and cross approximately 11 fields, through several gates and small footbridges. At the start, across the river to your left you will see a large industrial building which is the last remaining oak tannery in Britain.
Follow the path through a small copse beside the river, where you will find wild garlic and daffodils growing in spring. As you emerge from the copse, follow the path slightly away from the river.
After 2 miles, you will eventually see a large farm on your right and, just after that, walk away from the river to the right, following a tributary (Offwell Brook) to exit the riverside fields and join Northleigh Lane.Turn left to cross over a small stone bridge (SY216 953).
3. Follow the road to Northleigh for nearly 1½ miles...
first passing Road Pitt Farm then, at Farwood Cross, take care to go straight over the crossroads past some stone cottages on your left.
All the way along this lane you will see fine views over the hedge to your left. In front you will see Northleigh and the church with its distinctive white tower. Go over the small stone bridge and continue up the lane past more cottages on your right.
At the T-junction turn left where the signpost points towards ‘Farway, Southleigh and Honiton’ and walk towards Northleigh Church (which is worth taking some time to look around). Immediately after the church, turn right down a footpath, keeping the church on your right, and follow the path round to the left where it becomes a track before reaching a lane..
4. Turn right onto the lane, which goes uphill slightly.
Shortly, ignore the first footpath sign on your left but turn left at the second footpath (which is a track) then go though the gate and continue across the field to pass though another gate.
In this next field follow the hedge on your right and, before reaching the bottom corner, look for a stile in the hedge and cross it to reach a lane, where you turn left. Cross over the lane and turn right into the field almost immediately opposite. Walk diagonally though this field, aiming for the bridge in the centre, cross the bridge and then resume walking in the same direction.
5. Leave the field over the stiles at the bottom, and turn right on to the road.
You will pass Netherton Cottage and in front of you is Netherton Hall (SY184 958) with its large flint and brick wall, follow the road as it curves to the right.
6. Just past Netherton Hall turn left down the lane towards the ford, signposted Farway.
Cross over the ford on the footbridge, then through the charming Farway village, with its thatched cottages.
Turn right at the cross roads, signposted Farway Church & Honiton. In front of you are two old fashioned petrol pumps, follow this lane to the right as you pass a farm and walk for 1/4 mile.
7. Where the road bends to the right and there is dead end road sign to your left at Valley View road.
Take the footpath into the field in front of you. At the bottom of the field go over the stile and a wooden bridge, and fork left towards a thatched house, marked Tedbridge on the map.
Pass Tedbridge Cottage and cross over the footbridge over the stream, left in through the field and right to follow the side of the stream
8. Turn right on to a lane, once through the gate at the end of the field, cross the stream.
Follow this lane up to Church Green, where you will soon see the St Michael’s Church with its fine yew tree.