South Tawton, South Zeal and Addiscott – three villages on the edge of the moor
This route takes in three historic villages connected by footpaths and quiet lanes. It crosses the lower slopes of Cosdon Hill with far reaching views across to Exmoor, and also follows part of the Archangel’s Way.
Distance: Approximately 6.5 miles (with an option to shorten)
Difficulty: a few steep ups and downs 😊
Time: 2.5 / 3 hours
Start point: St Andrew’s Church, South Tawton
Grid reference: 653945
W3W: https://what3words.com/thickens.clots.afternoon
Starting from the centre of South Tawton village, head south along the lane towards South Zeal. After ¼ mile, take a left turn just before the granite Moon Cross, and then turn right into School Lane. At the T junction turn left down the main street of South Zeal, with the historic Oxenham Arms soon on your right. This amazing building is a former Benedictine monastery, built around a 5000 year old standing stone that remains in its place inside today.
After 100m, turn right and follow the alleyway between houses to go through a gate. The path then immediately forks, where you branch off to the right. Cross a small steam and pass through another gate marked with a yellow footpath sign. You then cross two bridges over and back the same stream, the first very much older than the second. The path soon emerges into a small field, which you climb diagonally across to a small gate in the far right hand corner.
Leaving the field, take the clear track straight ahead through 2 more gates then across a field to the road. Turn right and follow the path alongside the road for about 250m until you reach Ford Cross. Cross the main road here and carry straight on for 150m towards Ford Farm. Just past the farm entrance cross another stream then turn left on a track heading steeply uphill. You are now walking parallel with the stream which lies in a deep valley to your left.
After climbing for ¼ mile the path turns left and levels out. Cross a small stream (which may need wellies in wet weather!) and at a T junction by Beacon Cottage turn right and continue your climb up towards the moor for another 150m. Turn left where the path forks and starts to drop downhill. There are lovely views north east across to Exmoor. Ignore a left turn (which will return you to Ford Farm) and keep walking down the concrete farm track.
After ¼ mile turn right along a track (ignoring the other signed footpath up and over a wall) and then keep straight ahead at a sign marked “Cawsand and the Moor”. After 150m turn left on a footpath and follow the very useful boardwalk across marsh land and then down through a wood to a gate. The path then keeps dropping alongside an old stone wall to finally reach a house. Follow the path around the house onto the access drive and from there to the road.
Turn right along the road which takes you around the base of Ramsley Common for 1/3 of a mile, then leave the road via a steep track to your left shortly before a left hand bend. Climb up onto the common and head straight across in a northerly direction until a right turn at the far side brings you onto the access lane. Turn left here, cross the old A30 and continue to drop steeply towards South Zeal.
At the T junction you can shorten the walk if you wish, by turning left to return directly to South Zeal. Otherwise, turn right, and after 100m take the footpath on your left just before a house. Follow the signs through two fields with views across to South Tawton and Exmoor in the distance behind it, then the narrow lane between fields to the road in the hamlet of Dishcombe.
Turn right and after 60m turn left along a narrow lane towards Addiscott. At another T junction turn left heading down into the valley, crossing a bridge and then climbing up the other side. Turn left at the T junction, and head downhill past a prominent stone cross. You will pass close to the lovely 17th Century Tawton Mill as you cross the base of the valley, before climbing the final hill back to South Tawton. On summer Sundays cream teas are available in the historic Church House as a reward for your walking efforts.
Lisa Harris (& Badger the dog)