Shobrooke is a village well-served by footpaths, so although we’ve been here before, about seven years ago, it’s a good place to revisit for some different paths.
The Red Lion is one of the most popular names for pubs in the country and originated with the arrival of James I (James VI of Scotland), who, when he succeeded Elizabeth I, wanted the heraldic red lion of Scotland to be displayed on significant English buildings. Having said that, Shobrooke’s 16th century inn was, in the mid-19th century, known as just The Lion.
Winter in Devon is likely to be wet and fields will be MUDDY – no grumbling, please, and wellies are best. The paths cross small streams (there’s usually a footbridge) and traverse a patchwork of lovely fields, all linked by stretches along quiet lanes to give your boots a break from the slush. I ventured out in sub-zero temperatures to bring you this one and was grateful not to be felled by ice. Watch your step, wrap up warm and enjoy the views.
1. Walk uphill through Shobrooke Village. Pass the Red Lion on your right and, a short way further, ignore the footpath going left – this cuts across to the lane from which you can visit the church and Holy Well (see panel). In almost 300m the road reaches a left turning (to the church) and opposite this turning is a fingerpost, directing right off the road.
Take this footpath up a short stretch of track then go left through the metal footpath gate. Walk up the field alongside the right-hand hedge, following it as it bends and reaches the field corner 250m from the road. Go through the gap and continue along the right-hand hedge; there are rolling views to the right and ahead and some way to the left are the trees of Shobrooke Park.
Although the footpath is shown as cutting across the corner of this field it seems more polite to follow the hedge into the corner and then turn right, still alongside the left hedge. From here there are views to your right across the village and way ahead (east) are the Raddon Hills. North of Raddon Hills (diagonally left) you may spot a small wind turbine – this marks the excellent Thorne’s Farm Shop and Café.
When the hedge on the left swings left go with it, descending now with various farmhouses ahead and occasional traffic visible on the Bickleigh to Crediton road. In the bottom left-hand corner pass through a multi-arrowed gate and after this turn sharp right, walking through the field with the hedge up to your right. Follow this for almost 400m, to reach an arrowed post.
Follow the road uphill, passing Lower Coombe Cottage. In just over a quarter-mile the road bends right and just before it starts to descend there are footpaths going left and right.
Take the path on the right, entering a field and walking downhill, away from the road towards the gable end of a house about 100m away. The right-hand hedge curves round the back of the house, follow it to the footpath gate in the corner.
5. Beyond the gate descend steps and cross the concrete track, bearing diagonally left to join the onward, clearly signed footpath. A short stretch of track leads to gates. Go through the one on the left, with arrows, and then walk down the field beside the right-hand hedge.
Near the end of the field ignore a track forking right and stay in the field until you reach the arrowed gate in the corner – a movement caught our eye down in the damp bits near here and, brightening up the winter gloom, we spotted the soft yellow plumage of a couple of grey wagtails.
In the next field turn right and follow the right-hand hedge as it curves round the field. When you reach the arrowed gate in the corner go through to join a fenced path. Follow this for a quarter-mile until it emerges on the drive of Larkrise, depositing you on the road at the eastern end of Shobrooke.
Follow the track downhill towards the buildings of Lower Pennicott – there’s a view towards St Swithun’s Church over the hedge on your right, though it can be well-camouflaged against its surroundings. Keep ahead between the farm buildings and continue on the track beyond.
Go through an arrowed gate then continue alongside the right-hand fence, climbing up to another gateway and passing the artistically exposed roots of a large lone beech tree, who was once part of an ancient, growing boundary.
Go through the gate then continue beside the right-hand boundary. In about 200m look for the small metal gate on the right with its yellow arrow, pass through and continue in the same direction as before, now with the fence on your left and ground sloping down to the right. The field to the left had a stack of green chicken houses, which may have been moved or rearranged by the time you pass.
At the bottom of the field go through a wooden gate, across a plank bridge and turn right, with a small stream and hedge to your right.
7. Within 100m look for the small, arrowed gate on the right, go through it and turn right on the well-trodden path. This very soon swings left, crosses a footbridge, passes through a scrubby area and crosses another bridge. Go through the metal kissing gate after this then head through the field, initially alongside the right-hand hedge.
We’re now following the Devonshire Heartland Way, one of our long-distance paths that travels almost 45 miles between Okehampton and Stoke Canon. Keep ahead through the field as the hedge ambles away and look out for smart little stonechats, you may here their ‘chinking’ call, which sounds like two stones being knocked together.
The boundary comes in to meet the footpath again and the path follows a line of telegraph poles into the corner of the field. Go through the gate and notice the ‘welcome to Barton Farm’ sign – the land is under the custodianship of the owner of Shobrooke Park, who has a commendably kind attitude to public access.
Follow the right hand-hedge, ignoring a footpath going right just before the end of the field and continuing along the hedge to the multi-arrowed kissing gate at the end. Go through and follow the broad track back towards the village. You arrive amongst houses; keep ahead, bearing left with the road and you’re soon back at the centre.
Start point: Shobrooke Village: postcode: EX17 1AT; grid ref: SS889013
Parking: On-road in village, with consideration for residents
Map: OS Explorer 114 Exeter & the Exe, 1:25 000 (please use this scale map; the one printed here shows insufficient detail)
Distance: 3 or 4½ miles
Terrain: Field paths and tracks, plus quiet lane walking. There will be mud
Exertion: Easy, with a few gradual ascents
Dog data: Animals grazing; no stiles. The walk follows some lanes
Refreshments: Thornes Farm Shop Café, Stockleigh Pomeroy, EX17 4BH (01363 866933)
Public transport: There are occasional buses, see bustimes.org
4 things to do while you’re in the area
1. Shobrooke Park, at the west end of the village, is traversed by footpaths. The altruistic owner has a very generous attitude to public access, allowing people and dogs-on-leads to amble through a chunk of his parkland, enjoying lovely views across the lakes. Shobrooke House once stood where the modern bungalow now sits but, during its wartime incarnation as a school, was destroyed by fire in 1945 killing three pupils and a nurse. It was never rebuilt.
2. St Swithun’s Church and holy well. The 15th century church is the oldest building in the village, but is pre-dated by the nearby holy well, situated along the lane to the north of the church. The well was restored in the late 19th century by Revd Worthington-Jukes, former Rector of Shobrooke, after it had been re-discovered by his dog. The ancestor of the present owner of Shobrooke Park funded the restoration. It is thought that it was originally a baptismal well and steps inside lead down to the water, the level of which varies depending on rainfall. The attractive wrought iron grille is a more recent addition.
3. Thornes Farm Shop and Café is another great favourite and is just 3.5 miles away to the north, near Cheriton Fitzpaine. The café has superb views and, in season, you can pick your own soft fruit.
4. Crediton is a nearby market town with a host of lovely independent shops and the not-to-be-missed Baobab Café, one of my absolute favourites. Eran produces the most delicious food.
