You don't have to be rambling...
To enjoy a leisurely stroll around the lanes, here-abouts.
There a several footpaths a short way along the lanes, and or course Meshaw Moor.
The lanes are relatively quiet and safe to walk along.
There a several footpaths a short way along the lanes, and or course Meshaw Moor.
The lanes are relatively quiet and safe to walk along.
Meshaw Moor is under ten minutes' walk away, by Meshaw Moor Cross, where you can explore what is one of very few examples of the field system Culm grassland,
dating back hundreds, possibly thousands, of years.
It's patchwork of small irregular shaped fields are bounded by hedges. The fields themselves are classic Culm and flower-rich hay meadows.
So rich is Meshaw's crop of summer flowers they often harvest its seed and use it to restore grasslands elsewhere.
There is a path around the perimeter.
The ground can be wet and uneven in places but there are some stretches of boardwalk over the most difficult areas,
the way mark trail around the reserve takes about an hour to walk, not greatly used, it can be hard to decipher where it is, part of the fun I think.
As there can be livestock in the fields dogs should be kept on a lead.
Similar sites are both the other side of Great Torrington, the evocatively named Stapleton Mire, a place for a Hound of the Baskervilles I imagine, and Veilstone moor.
dating back hundreds, possibly thousands, of years.
It's patchwork of small irregular shaped fields are bounded by hedges. The fields themselves are classic Culm and flower-rich hay meadows.
So rich is Meshaw's crop of summer flowers they often harvest its seed and use it to restore grasslands elsewhere.
There is a path around the perimeter.
The ground can be wet and uneven in places but there are some stretches of boardwalk over the most difficult areas,
the way mark trail around the reserve takes about an hour to walk, not greatly used, it can be hard to decipher where it is, part of the fun I think.
As there can be livestock in the fields dogs should be kept on a lead.
Similar sites are both the other side of Great Torrington, the evocatively named Stapleton Mire, a place for a Hound of the Baskervilles I imagine, and Veilstone moor.
Footpaths nearby
We have made a visual of local footpaths and bridleways, you can click on it to open a PDF.
Key:
Red, and purple lines show footpaths/bridleways.
Scale, from Ducks to Meshaw Moor is half a mile, Meshaw village is a little over half a mile.
A nice walk is down the lane towards the village, you can turn right at the bottom of the slope, along the Barn's garden bank, and scale the fairly steep slope up the field,
there may be livestock in there, and there is a muddy section at the beginning, along the stream called Kitcott Lake,
this brings you to a gate, pass through that and a path leads along giving a lovely view over the valley, the village, and the church tower.
You reach Southdown Hill, turn left and down the steep hill to the main road. Opposite is the lane to the church, or turn left and the next left, just a few yards down, is Kitcott Hill, that brings you back, up a very steep nip, to the opposite side of our valley, you can catch glimpses of Ducks' to the south at the few gateways as you walk back.
Another option is to carry on the lane,, you will get to a crossroad, Kitcott Cross, take the right turn and a little way along on the left is Jimmy's Lane, this unmade road takes you over the rise and down to meet the B3137, if you fancy a circular route, cross the road and continue along Drymump Hill and take the next right, Northdown Lane, this brings you back to the village.
Distance is probably 2 1/2 miles, Jimmy's Lane can be muddy if it has been raining as Peter the farmer uses it to access fields.
Below are some maps, click on them to get a printable, and scalable, version in PDF.
Map of local walks and bridleways, click to open a printable and scalable PDF
detailed map of walks around Meshaw and the Moor, click to open a printable and scalable PDF
To make sure you're in the loop:
Tune in to our YouTube site and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Tune in to our YouTube site and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
|
|
Website made by Andy. Copyright © 2025 duckspaddle.com
