This lovely unspoilt woodland walk starts at Five Lanes, Hennock – TQ13 9PU

It’s about 4 miles long, which takes about me about 1 hour 45 minutes.

At this time of year the woods are quite magical, with a carpet of bluebells transforming

the floor and filling the air with their scent. Also keep an eye out for primroses and orchids along the way .

START

Start at Five Lanes

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and take the footpath uphill signposted Chericombehead. 

This is called Beacon Lane as it runs up to the top of the hill to a beacon site 815 ft above sea level. Built in Roman times, the beacon was also manned 24 hours a day during the Spanish Amada in 1588. The beacon is in direct line with the beacons in Buckland, Bridford, Haldon and Little Haldon near Teignmouth.

This path skirts the site of the beacon but look out for amazing views across to Haytor to the left and to Belvedere Castle at Haldon to the right.

At the end of the footpath turn left onto Bowden Lane and walk along this lovely quiet lane, turning left at the bottom by a house called Higher Bowden. Shortly afterwards you will see a footpath sign on the right, guiding you over a stile through a gap in the stone wall. Keep any dogs on leads as you enter the field which often has two disinterested ponies grazing in. I have done this walk dozens of times and they have barely looked up from their grass-munching and seem very used to walkers.

Follow the direction of the footpath sign, diagonally across the field towards the right-hand corner where you cross a trickle of water to  a wooden gate and a stile onto a lovely track with fabulous peeks across to the moor.

Cross the drive at Shaptor Farm, keeping dogs on a lead to pass the pond. Take the signed footpath over a stile and around a field, taking care with the barbed wire fence on the left. Hop over another stile and stop to look at the view to Haytor at the gateway on your left then continue, crossing another stile to continue on this little path and keep going until you enter Shaptor Woods via two little wooden gates.

Follow the path downhill and as the paths cross take the footpath to the left, signed as ‘permitted path.’

Now stay on the same path, as it undulates all the way through the woods, ignoring all tracks off to the left.

This is a gorgeous section of the walk, with scattered granite boulders either side and several little streams with little plank bridges to cross. In spring the floor is a carpet of blue as the bluebells bloom, and if you look carefully you will see orchids peeping out amongst them.

The woods are managed by The Woodland Trust and are very quiet. Along the path you will see posts with memorial plaques on them, remembering those who loved the woods.

Eventually you will get to a gate, and you turn left to go up a public byway called Little John’s Walk. This is an ancient sunken road with a glorious avenue of beech trees.

When you get to the junction go straight across and walk back along the road to Hennock, passing Bottor Rock Farm and then Stickwick Farm, to reach Five Lanes where you started the walk.

Why not pop into the lovely Palk Arms for a drink or a tasty snack before you head home? Check their Facebook page for opening times.

You can find this walk in my book, Ten Circular Hennock Walks, which is raising funds for Hennock School’s PTFA. Buy your copy at the Palk Arms or Hennock Hideaways.