Challenge yourself to a climb and reap the rewards of splendid views, or take a more leisurely cycle ride through historic villages and delightful countryside.

Use the hashtag #blackdownramble to share and read about walks and rides in the Blackdown Hills.

Hemyock, Uffculme and Culmstock

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Medium. Distance 11 miles (18 km), with an optional shorter route of 7 miles (11 km)
A leisurely ride, with a climb near the start. On your way you'll see Coldharbour Mill, a yew tree growing out of a church tower, and the beacon house on Culmstock Common. One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape - Route 1

A leisurely ride, with a climb near the start. On your way you’ll see Coldharbour Mill, a yew tree growing out of a church tower, and the beacon house on Culmstock Common. One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – Route 1 

Main route (1 – 17) 

1 Turn left out of car park and left just after the Catherine Wheel 

2 Turn right at Lickham Cross 

3 At crossroads (Leigh Cross) go straight, signposted Leigh 

4 At junction turn right 

5 At junction turn left 

6 At junction turn right, signposted Ashill, Uffculme 

7 At junction (cemetery corner) turn left onto main road, signposted Uffculme 

8 Turn right at Uffculme just before the Ostler Inn 

9 At Penslade Cross go straight over, signposted Penslade 

10 At junction turn right 

11 At crossroads (Higher Cross) go straight over, signpost Nicholashayne 

12 Turn first right 

13 At crossroads turn right on to main road, signposted Culmstock 

14 Turn left at village hall in Culmstock and then first right by red phone box 

15 Turn right at Whitehall Cross, signposted Hemyock 

16 At junction turn left, signposted Hemyock 

17 Turn right and return to car park 

 

Shorter route – 7 miles (replaces stages 5 – 14) 

a At junction turn right, signposted Culmstock 

b At junction turn right 

c Turn first right after Culm Valley Inn and go through residential area to reach main road 

d Turn right onto road 

Go to instruction 15 

 

Maps: This route is based on OS Explorer maps and is intended as a guide to cyclists. Refer to Explorer 128 or Landranger 192 and 193 when planning your visit. 

General Information: For information about safe cycling and further information to help plan your visit, see www.blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk 

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the route directions and descriptions, responsibility cannot be accepted for any errors or omissions. If you discover any errors, please let us know. 

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Hemyock, Blackborough, Broadhembury and Sheldon

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Medium. Distance Main route 22 miles (35.5 km); shorter routes 7 miles (11 km) or 12 miles (19 km)
A moderate to challenging 22 mile ride, with two optional shorter routes. This route takes in a 16th century village, Devon's finest prehistoric hillfort and evidence of whetstone mining. One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape - Route 2

A moderate to challenging 22-mile ride, with two optional shorter routes. This route takes in a 16th century village, Devon’s finest prehistoric hillfort and evidence of whetstone mining. One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – Route 2 

Main route (1 – 23) 

1 Turn left out of the car park and left just after the Catherine Wheel pub 

2 Turn right at Lickham Cross 

3 At crossroads go straight over, signposted Leigh 

4 At junction turn left 

5 At junction turn right and then go over ford 

6 At junction turn left, signposted Hayne, Bodminscombe, Sheldon and then first right 

7 At junction turn left 

8 Turn right at Downlands Cross, signposted Kerswell, Cullompton. Just past Knowles Wood car park, take the unsigned road on the left 

9 Turn left at Windwhistle Cross 

10 At crossroads (Causeway End) turn left, signposted Broadhembury 

11 Follow through Broadhembury then turn right at Broadhembury Cross 

12 At junction turn left on to main road and left again, signposted Dunkeswell 

13 At crossroads (Turbary Cross) go straight over, signposted Blackborough 

14 Turn second right at Golden Lane Cross, signposted Sheldon, and follow for 3 miles, passing through Sheldon 

15 Turn right, signposted Ashill and follow for 3/4 mile, then turn right signposted to Leigh and go over the ford 

16 Turn first left and continue until reaching T-junction 

17 At junction turn right, signposted Culmstock 

18 At junction with Uffculme Road turn right into village and continue over river 

19 Turn first right after Culm Valley Inn into Harts Row, through residential area 

20 At junction, turn right 

21 Turn right at Whitehall Cross, signposted Hemyock 

22 At junction turn left, signposted Hemyock 

23 Turn right and return to public car park 

 

Shorter route (A) – 7 miles (replaces stages 4 – 16) 

At junction turn right then go to instruction 17 

Shorter route (B) – 12 miles (replaces stages 8 – 14) 

Turn second left at Golden Lane Cross, signposted Sheldon, then go to instruction 15 

 

Maps: This route is based on OS Explorer maps and is intended as a guide to cyclists. Refer to Explorer 128 or Landranger 192 and 193 when planning your visit. 

General Information: For information about safe cycling and further information to help plan your visit, see www.blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk 

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the route directions and descriptions, responsibility cannot be accepted for any errors or omissions. If you discover any errors, please let us know. 

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Wellington, Buckland Wood and Hemyock

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Medium. Distance 17 miles (27 km); optional easy route 4 miles (6.5km)
A circular route from Wellington town to Hemyock and back, via Buckland Wood. On bank holidays from April to August you can visit Hemyock Castle too. One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape - Route 3

A circular route from Wellington town to Hemyock and back, via Buckland Wood. On bank holidays from April to August you can visit Hemyock Castle too. One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – Route 3 

Main route (1 – 21) 

1 Start at Wellington Library, head towards junction with South Street, turn right at lights into South Street, signposted Hemyock, Monument, and follow for nearly one mile 

2 At crossroads go straight over, signposted Ford Street 

3 Go under the M5 motorway bridge, then turn left, signposted Blackmoor, and follow for one mile 

4 Turn left, signposted Ruggin, Pitminster Corfe 

5 At staggered junction turn right, then left, signposted Ruggin, Pitminster, Corfe 

6 At junction turn right, signposted Lowton, Blagdon, Corfe 

7 At junction turn right 

8 At junction turn left onto the ridge road, signposted Taunton, Honiton and Chard 

9 Turn first right and then follow road for about 2.5 miles 

10 At junction (Lilycombe Cross) turn right, signposted Hemyock 

11 Straight on to Hemyock 

12 Turn right to Hemyock 

13 In Hemyock go straight on and follow main road out of village towards Culmstock 

14 Turn right at Blackpitt Cross, signposted Whitehall, Culm Davy 

15 At junction turn left, then first right, signposted Culm Davy – steep up hill 

16 At junction turn left – long down hill 

17 At junction turn right 

18 At junction turn left onto main road and go over M5 motorway bridge 

19 At crossroads turn right, signposted Wellington 

20 At staggered junction go straight ahead, signposted Rockwell Green 

21 At junction turn right into Wellington and go straight over first set of traffic lights 

 

Shorter route – 4 miles (replaces stages 5 – 21) 

An easy ride for all the family with views of the Blackdown Hills 

a At junction go straight on 

b At junction go straight on 

c At junction turn right and take first left signposted Briscoe 

d At junction go straight on 

e At junction go straight on 

f At junction go straight on, taking great care when crossing the busy A38 

g At junction turn right 

 

Maps: This route is based on OS Explorer maps and is intended as a guide to cyclists. Refer to Explorer 128 or Landranger 192 and 193 when planning your visit. 

General Information: For information about safe cycling and further information to help plan your visit, see www.blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk 

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the route directions and descriptions, responsibility cannot be accepted for any errors or omissions. If you discover any errors, please let us know. 

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Honiton, Luppitt, and Combe Raleigh

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Hard. Distance 11 miles (18 km)
A moderate 11-mile ride with challenging uphill and downhill sections, suitable for experienced cyclists with a good level of fitness. Visit Wolford Chapel and Combe Woods along the way. Stop off at St Mary's Church in Luppitt, to see one of the oldest fonts in Devon. One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape - Route 4.

A moderate 11-mile ride with challenging uphill and downhill sections, suitable for experienced cyclists with a good level of fitness. Visit Wolford Chapel and Combe Woods along the way. Stop off at St Mary’s Church in Luppitt, to see one of the oldest fonts in Devon. One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – Route 4. 

Main route (1 – 9) 

1 With Magistrates Court on left hand side of street (you should be facing away from Honiton 

2 Go over road bridge and then turn right at Turnpike Cottage, signposted Egland, and up St Cyres Hill (recommend walking it!) 

3 At staggered junction take road ahead, signposted Luppitt, Smeatharpe. (To visit Wolford Chapel turn left and continue along Limers Lane to reach Wolford Lodge, where the Chapel is signed.) 

4 Turn right at second crossroads, signposted Luppitt, Beacon 

5 Turn right at Barn Cross, signposted Honiton 

6 Turn right at Mill Cross, signposted Combe Raleigh 

7 At crossroads (Combe Raleigh Cross) go straight over, signposted Combe Raleigh 

8 At junction turn right on to Honiton High Street 

9 At second set of traffic lights turn right, signposted Cullompton A373 and then the Magistrates Court is on the left-hand side. 

Maps: This route is based on OS Explorer maps and is intended as a guide to cyclists. Refer to Explorer 128 or Landranger 192 and 193 when planning your visit. 

General Information: For information about safe cycling and further information to help plan your visit, see www.blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk 

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the route directions and descriptions, responsibility cannot be accepted for any errors or omissions. If you discover any errors, please let us know. 

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Churchinford, Upottery and Culm Valley

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Medium. Distance 17.5 miles (optional shorter route 12 miles)
A moderate ride with some challenging uphill and downhill sections on main route. There is also an optional shorter route.  Visit Dunkeswell Abbey, Otterhead Lakes and Upottery Airfield along the way. One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape - Route 5

A moderate 17.5-mile ride with some challenging uphill and downhill sections on main route, or an optional shorter route of 12 miles. One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – Route 5.

 Main route (1 – 15) 

1 Turn left out of the car park and follow road for 4 miles to Upottery 

2 In Upottery turn right, signposted Hemyock, 50 metres before the Sidmouth Arms 

3 At Mathayes Cross turn right, signposted Hemyock 

4 Turn left at Riggles Cross 

5 At junction turn left, then right, signposted Madford, Hemyock 

6 At crossroads (Fourways Cross) turn left 

7 At Culm Bridge turn right (sharp) 

8 Take right fork and follow for 1.5 miles 

9 Turn left at Lilycombe Cross, signposted Churchstanton 

10 At junction turn right on to ridge road 

11 Turn first right, signposted Burnworthy 

12 At junction turn right, signposted Churchstanton 

13 At crossroads go straight over, signposted Churchinford 

14 At crossroads go straight over, signposted Churchinford 

15 At junction turn left on to main road and then right into car park 

Shorter route – 12 miles (replaces stages 1 – 6) 

a Turn left out of car park and then right into Red Lane opposite the York Inn 

b At crossroads go straight over, signposted Hemyock and follow for nearly 4 miles 

c Turn sharp right at Culm Bridge 

Go to instruction 8 

Maps: This route is based on OS Explorer maps and is intended as a guide to cyclists. Refer to Explorer 128 or Landranger 192 and 193 when planning your visit. 

General Information: For information about safe cycling and further information to help plan your visit, see www.blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk 

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the route directions and descriptions, responsibility cannot be accepted for any errors or omissions. If you discover any errors, please let us know. 

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Honiton, Stockland and Upottery

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Hard. Distance 20 miles (32 km) or an optional shorter route of 17 miles (27 km) 
A challenging 20 mile ride or an optional shorter route of 17 miles. Explore the Blackdown Hills countryside, with its iron-age hill forts. There is a railway station at Honiton, so this is a good ride if you're planning to access the Blackdown Hills by train.  One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape - Route 6

A challenging 20-mile ride or an optional shorter route of 17 miles. Explore the Blackdown Hills countryside, with its iron-age hill forts. There is a railway station at Honiton, so this is a good ride if you’re planning to access the Blackdown Hills by train. One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – Route 6.

Main route (1 – 19) 

1 Turn left out of the car park and left at traffic lights and follow to the end of the High Street 

2 At roundabout turn left, signposted Exeter and London, and then right after 50 metres, signposted Cotleigh, Stockland 

3 At top of hill turn right and then left after 50 metres, signposted Cotleigh 

4 At junction turn left, signposted Cotleigh, then first right 

5 At Stockland Hill, go straight over, signposted Heathstock, Broadhayes 

6 Turn right at Shorehead Cross, signposted Heathstock, Ford, Stockland 

7 At junction (Ford Cross) turn left, signposted Heathstock, Stockland 

8 At junction (Cookers Elm Cross) turn left into Stockland 

9 Go through village and turn right just next to Lark Rise House 

10 At crossroads at top of hill turn right 

11 At crossroads use dedicated cyclist crossing to southwest of road junction. Cross main road, signposted Upottery 

12 At junction in Upottery turn right, signposted Churchinford, then first left after 75 metres, signposted Hemyock 

13 At junction (Mathayes Cross) turn left, signposted Beacon 

14 Turn right, then left at Beacons Cross, signposted Wick 

15 At junction bear right 

16 At junction turn left on to main road 

17 At junction turn right, signposted Honiton 

18 At roundabout turn right on to Honiton High Street 

19 At second set of traffic lights turn right, signposted Cullompton A373 and then right into car park 

Shorter route – 17 miles (replaces stages 5 – 10) 

At crossroads (Broadhayes Cross) turn left on to main road and then go to instruction 11 

Maps: This route is based on OS Explorer maps and is intended as a guide to cyclists. Refer to Explorer 128 or Landranger 192 and 193 when planning your visit. 

General Information: For information about safe cycling and further information to help plan your visit, see www.blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk 

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the route directions and descriptions, responsibility cannot be accepted for any errors or omissions. If you discover any errors, please let us know. 

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Churchinford, Yarcombe, Stockland, Upottery

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Medium. Distance 19 miles (30.5 km) 
A moderate ride with one challenging uphill climb and several moderate uphill sections. Along the way, you'll see a lakeside nature reserve, the seat of a former prime minister, and maybe a pot of gold! One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape - Route 7

A moderate ride with one challenging uphill climb and several moderate uphill sections. Along the way, you’ll see a lakeside nature reserve, the seat of a former prime minister, and maybe a pot of gold! One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – Route 7. 

 Main route (1 – 15) 

1 Turn left out of the car park and follow road for 4 miles to Upottery 

2 Turn left, signposted Chard, just after the Sidmouth Arms 

3 At crossroads use dedicated cyclist crossing to southwest of road junction, cross over the main road, signposted Stockland, Axminster 

4 Turn left, signposted North Hill at Rising Sun Cross 

5 At junction turn left into Stockland 

6 Turn left at Stockland Village Cross 

7 Turn left at Road Ends Cross, signposted Yarcombe and follow for 2 miles 

8 At junction turn left on to the main road, and then first right, signposted Marsh, after Yarcombe Inn 

9 At junction (Sheafhayne Cross) turn right, signposted Howley, Chard 

10 Turn first left after Howley Tavern, and follow under the bridge into Marsh 

11 Turn right after the Flintlock Inn (just before no entry signs) and follow for 1.5 miles 

12 At fork in road, bear right down hill 

13 At junction turn left into Bishopswood 

14 At crossroads go straight over, signposted Churchinford, Hemyock 

15 At junction in Churchinford turn right and right again into car park 

 

Maps: This route is based on OS Explorer maps and is intended as a guide to cyclists. Refer to Explorer 128 or Landranger 192 and 193 when planning your visit. 

General Information: For information about safe cycling and further information to help plan your visit, see www.blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk 

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the route directions and descriptions, responsibility cannot be accepted for any errors or omissions. If you discover any errors, please let us know. 

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Stockland, Yarcombe, Whitestaunton and Membury

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Medium. Distance Main route 17 miles, shorter route 12.5 miles
A moderate cycle ride with challenging climbs, and some interesting buildings to see along the way. The shorter route includes an exhilarating downhill section and a steep climb. One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape - Route 8

A moderate cycle ride with challenging climbs, and some interesting buildings to see along the way. The shorter route includes an exhilarating downhill section and a steep climb. One of eight cycle routes in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – Route 8. 

Main route (1 – 16) 

1 Turn right out of car park and first right at Stockland Village Cross 

2 Turn left at Road Ends Cross, signposted Yarcombe and follow for 2 miles 

3 At junction turn left on to main road and then first right, signposted Marsh after Yarcombe Inn 

4 At junction (Sheafhayne Cross) turn right, signposted Howley, Chard 

5 Turn first left after Howlet Tavern 

6 Turn right up hill just before stream and road bridge 

7 Turn first right 

8 At junction turn right 

9 At junction turn right and follow for one mile 

10 At junction turn right on to main road 

11 Turn left, signposted Membury, Stockland, Animal Sanctuary 

12 At junction turn right, signposted Membury, Stockland – follow for almost 3 miles 

13 Turn right at Star Cross, signposted Membury and follow for nearly 2 miles 

14 Turn right, signposted Kilmington, Axminster 

15 At junction (Beckford Cross) turn right, signposted Stockland and follow for 2.5 miles 

16 In Stockland turn right just after the school into the village hall car park 

Shorter route – 12.5 miles (replaces stages 13 – 16) 

a Turn first right, signposted Stockland and follow for 3 miles 

b At junction (Stockland Village Cross) turn left, and first left into village hall car park 

Maps: This route is based on OS Explorer maps and is intended as a guide to cyclists. Refer to Explorer 128 or Landranger 192 and 193 when planning your visit. 

General Information: For information about safe cycling and further information to help plan your visit, see www.blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk 

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the route directions and descriptions, responsibility cannot be accepted for any errors or omissions. If you discover any errors, please let us know. 

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