Hollocombe to Leach Bridge circular walk

Muttley dog says:
One of my favourite Devon walks, this one, especially in spring when all the woodland flowers are blooming but it's still sunny beneath the bare trees. But it's good any time of year because of the river.


You walk through ancient woodland - look out for carpets of wood anemone and bluebells in spring, and even true wild daffodils. You can bike or drive to the start of this stroll, or even walk. Just be ready for a steep return journey.

Getting there
The Devon village of Hollocombe is about 1.5 miles from the cottage and lodges. Turn right out of our drive, first left at Tinker's Post and down into Hollocombe. If you're walking, take the bridle path on your left just before you cross the stream. If driving, cross the narrow bridge over Hollocombe Water then climb the hill on the other side for about 100m until you come to a footpath on your right. There's room to park here, but please don't block the 5-bar gate! Head back down to the bridle path. If you're taking dogs, take a lead because you'll pass close by 2 houses with dogs on the way back. OS Explorer map 127.


The walk
You're barely onto the bridlepath before you're amongst spring wildflowers or summer shade.

Basically, you just follow the paths, roughly alongside the stream. Listen out for the croak of Raven. It can be muddy here though, because it's a bridlepath. Wellies are often advisable (you can borrow some from the farm if you don't have any).

After about a km of glorious woodland walk you'll reach the road on the other side of Hollocombe village - and Leach Bridge, where you can play Pooh sticks if you feel so inclinded.

If you're looking for somewhere to stop for a while, set off back again on the other side of the stream. Just a little way along the footpath goes right by the water and there's a little 'beachy' bit where you can cool your feet. Sometimes there's otter spraint around here too - if you know what you're looking for.

This part of the walk is much drier, and there are usually plenty of butterflies. You're on an old footpath designed to link up houses rather than to provide recreational routes. So the path goes right past 2 houses. If you're taking a dog, please use a lead. The footpath goes right past the front of the first house and out the other side of the garden.

There's a stile along here too, but there's wriggle room underneath for dogs.

At the second house you again walk right in front of the building. Don't be put off. And a little further on when you get to a fork, head right, downhill, and soon back to Hollocombe proper.


View Hollocombe Water to Leach Bridge and back in a larger map