Exe Valley Way (Stage 7): Bampton to Brushford
Exe Valley Way (Stage 7): Bampton to Brushford
6km / 4 Miles
The southern part of this Stage crosses the watershed between the Rivers Batherm and Exe, crossing high farmland and giving some superb extensive views over valleys to the edge of Exmoor. The northern part of the Stage follows a small tributary of the Exe, the Brockey River, through a small attractive valley. Brushford has a medieval Church to explore with a 20th century Lutyens chapel.
- From the war memorial by the car park near the church, take the narrow road which climbs gently uphill (signposted Dulverton for light cars and Exebridge).
- Turn right up the path at Grey Gables, bearing left to a metal gate at the top.
- Follow the hedge to a stile, then follow the track downhill left, then bear left to a stile in the left-hand corner of the field.
- Cross the three stiles, then go uphill next to the hedgebank, keeping it on your right.
- Cross the stile at the top and bear slightly away from the hedge, aiming for the obvious gap at the top of the field. Cross the stile.
- Cross the next field diagonally to the top left-hand corner, turn left then immediately right, along the field edge, with the hedge on your left. At the end go through the gate and follow the hedge on your right downhill to a gate into a farmyard.
- Take the track through the farmyard. Bear left at the farmhouse, then left again along a grassy track to a gate, into a field. Go through, follow the hedge on the left and descend in a shallow gully to a lane.
- Turn left along the lane. At the bottom cross the main road carefully and take the road opposite (signposted to Dulverton, Brushford). Be careful on the next stretch of road, which can be busy in summer.
- Go into Exebridge, cross the Exe and continue to the road junction, 250m (275 yards) past the bridge.
- Turn left at the junction (signposted Oldways End) and continue along the lane to the cottage at the bottom of the hill.
- Take the track next to the cottage, go through the gate and follow the track across the field.
- Go past an old barn and continue on the track for 400m (440 yards) until arriving at a gate on the left.
- Go through, turn right and go through the yard and on to a farm lane.
- Where this swings right, leave on the left through a metal kissing gate and cross the old railway to the lane.
- Brushford church is on the left; turn right for the village centre and the route to Dulverton and Hawkridge.
