Paths, tracks & riverside walking and hiking route

Walk Instructions

Start Point

Leave the car park and walk back into the village. Turn right towards Exmouth, then locate a stile on the left and keeping to the left hand edge, cross several fields. Hayes Barton is the building across the fields on the right.

Cross a road and walk up the right side of a pig enclosure. Pass the gamekeepers cottage veering left where the path forks, and right soon after. It’s all well waymarked. At the top of the incline another sign points the way downwards to reach a junction – turn left.

Arriving at an obvious crossroads, turn left walking on “motorway” conditions underfoot. East Budleigh and the sea beyond should be in sight at this point. Keeping close to the left hand boundary, gradually descend to arrive at a stile situated alongside a white gate. Proceed to arrive at a lane (stile). I turned right, passed through a dairy farm, then turned left along the main road. Alternatively, I could have avoided the farm by turning left, and right then left along the road. Both routes lead to All Saints’ Church, East Budleigh.

Proceed beyond the church, then swing right into Vicarage Road. Rest awhile on the seat, beneath the horse chestnut tree, at the junction with Wynard’s Road.

Beyond this point turn left at the signpost to pass along the left side of a recreation ground, then continue along the edge of a field (large obelisk appears) to reach a road – turn left. After passing the brow of the road, look for a stile situated in the hedge on the right hand banking and descend towards a junction of paths (Sycamore tree). Swing right (obelisk now to right) walking along clear vehicle tracks, to emerge on the main road – turn left for about 75 yards to reach some iron gates. This location affords views of Bickton’s church and a glimpse of the beautiful gardens.

The Rolles’ are no longer associated with Bickton – that estate is now owned by Lord Clinton.

Taking extreme care, cross the road to enter a narrow waymarked lane which becomes a delightful, umbrageous section with eventual views of Otterton’s church. Merging with a road, turn left then left again to commence an enjoyable 1½ miles towards Colaton Raleigh, walking in close company of the river Otter. Points of interest along the way include an inscribed stone near the weir and a splendidly designed footbridge. And farther upstream the impressive high, red bankings.

Reaching a second footbridge turn left, reluctantly departing from the river to enter the village of Colaton Raleigh. Keep to the road as it passes St. John the Baptist Church with its pebbled perimeter wall, the National School (1840), complete with Victorian doctrine and finally, the thatched perimeter wall belonging to Place Court. There’s a pub farther on but the route enters a narrow passage on the left (signpost) just beyond Place Court and leading towards a main road. Cross over, enter a narrow lane and walk towards a junction. At that point cross straight over and enter an enclosed and somewhat overgrown lane (Back Lane, on O.S. maps).

After a mile, cross a ford and turn left along the road, passing Stowford Farm. When the road divides go right and then left at a subsequent division walking away from the woodland. Pass a fine house bearing an 1886 date stone, then as the road curves left, enter a track on the right.

DILIGENT NAVIGATION IS REQUIRED HEREON. Follow this track then pass through or over a wide gateway on the left (small gate alongside). If you reach a ford you’ve gone too far.

The path rises steadily through the woodland and veers right at a marker post, continuing on a broad track (Kettle Plantation, right. Open heather clad moorland, left). Proceed to reach a major T junction and turn right then after 50 yards turn left, descending along a clear stony path. Reaching another junction follow the indicating blue arrow – right, and then follow this path without deviation to exit the plantation. Turn right to the car park.

Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the ‎level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.