Blackdown Hills AONB is a great place for horse riding. Meander through ancient woodland, river valleys, commons and pastures.

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

Membury, Chardstock, Wambrook, All Saints / Smallridge

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Medium. Distance 14 miles (22.5 km)

This scenic 14-mile circular ride boasts wonderful views and glimpses of the sea. There is plenty of off-road riding through wooded valleys and along hill crests. This ride encounters mixed terrain, several gradients and various styles of gates. There are cantering opportunities at Coyle Acre Lane, Burridge Common and Brinscombe top. Watch out for roe deer. One of five horse-riding circuits in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – route 1

This scenic 14-mile circular ride boasts wonderful views and glimpses of the sea. There is plenty of off-road riding through wooded valleys and along hill crests. This ride encounters mixed terrain, several gradients and various styles of gates. There are cantering opportunities at Coyle Acre Lane, Burridge Common and Brinscombe top. Watch out for roe deer. One of five horse-riding circuits in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – route 1 

 Riding directions (clockwise)

1 South on Green Lane then L at TJ, then ahead on unmetalled RD, after about 1/3-mile fork right through Burridge Common 

2 Join RD in direction Brockfield 

3 At Brockfield fork L through Ford to Holy City 

4 At road junction, take 2nd L in direction Alston for about 1 mile 

5 R into BW, over Beacon Hill, down RD into Churchill and up to TJ 

6 L down Smallridge Road for approx. 1/2 mile passing village sign 

7 R at small green, uphill then down to BW, then up long hill to top, muddy in places 

8 R then L on top road and follow for 1/4 mile to bridleway sign 

9 R into BW, down through Hasland Farm cobbled yard, through 2 gates and down edge of steep field 

10 L for 1/2 mile along road, then 1st R signposted Membury 

11 L into unmetalled road, up past Lea Farm Hotel and up Goyle Acre Lane 

12 Can R down past church to take in Membury, 1st L out again 

13 L then R into continuation of unmetalled RD, then R at end 

14 Fork left at Furley X roads (signposted Furley) down narrow road 

15 R into BW, through woods, meadow and past Ford House 

16 R into BW, up hill, thro’ 2 remote controlled gates (care over slippery tarmac) 

17 R (watch traffic) then L signposted Cotley (alternative start point) 

18 L into BW, and follow for about 1/2 mile through Bewley Down woods 

19 ST when bridleway becomes metalled RD and follow to TJ 

20 R at TJ and follow road past Cotley Inn 

21 R and up into BW, thro’ Gs then ahead along to Green Lane (to complete the circular) 

 Link Routes (west to east) – yellow lines on map 

Furley Cross to Holy City 

14 ST at Furley X roads past Challenger Farm on left, and up to TJ 

22 ST at TJ onto BW, after approx. 150 yards after 2nd gate, immediate L keeping to the edge of field to north corner 

23 Follow hedgerow past WT and G, then make directly down to HG at RD, cross RD through 2nd HG and continue approx. 200 yards up field side 

24 – either fork R across field to G, follow blue BW markers over top field, thro’ 2 Gs and down to 2 BGs, past Ransome Farm to RD and Holy City (4) 

– or continue ST thro’ Gs, following blue BW markers till BG at Whitehouse, then R along RD to Holy City (4) 

 Bewley to Holy City 

18 Continue down RD to bridleway sign on R 

25 Follow BW thro’ G, edge of field, across thro’ BG past Woonton Farm on left 

26 R at access drive and L at RD to Holy City (4) 

 

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Dalwood and Yarty Valley

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Medium. Distance 9 miles (14.5 km)
With two-thirds 'off road' this nine-mile circular takes in miles of peaceful countryside, the picturesque village of Dalwood and various aspects of the River Yarty. There is an optional link at Horner Hill with steep gradients. Cantering opportunity through Yarty Copse. One of five horse-riding circuits in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – route 2

With 2/3rds “off road” this 9-mile circular takes in miles of peaceful countryside, the picturesque village of Dalwood & the various aspects of the River Yarty. There is an optional link at Horner Hill with steep gradients. Cantering opportunity through Yarty Copse.

Riding Instructions (clockwise) 

– Orange line on map e.g. Start Point Beckford Bridge (ST265015) 

 1 Cross River Yarty, crossroad at Beckford Cross, follow unmetalled RD (Dalwood Lane) uphill, becomes grassy/little muddy mid/upper section and join metalled lane at top to Dane Hill Cross 

2 L on metalled road to BW sign in about 1/3 mile 

3 R down BW, caution through 2 BGs midway keeping to steep gully, continue down field edge thro’ 2 more Gs to Millwater Farm 

4 R and R again along lower lane into Dalwood village, past PH and L at BW sign just prior to bridge over River Yarty 

5 Proceed thro’ alley and VH car park and thro’ 3 Gs to lane 

6 R along lane to Ham, then 1st R after village 

7 Follow lane and L at TJ and R at next BW sign in about 1/4 mile 

8 Ascend BW to BW TJ, then take L, and follow BW thro’ woods and Gs to RD 

9 R then L after about 100 meters onto green lane (unmetalled RD) 

10 Proceed down green lane to road, R then next L signed “unsuitable for motor vehicles” 

11 Use ford to cross River Yarty (use Case Bridge if in full spate), and then up lane, fork R, continue uphill, fork R, and immediate R into BW 

12 Follow edge of field to G, immediate R thro’ 2nd gate and follow wide drive for about 1/3 mile to BW marker sign 

13 ST thro’ woods, then steep descent & ST to track thro’ Yarty Copse (ignore steep descent track R to Yarty Farm), then down narrow track (unmetalled RD) to lane. Last section can be muddy 

14 R and R again and follow lane down back to Beckford Bridge 

Link Route (south to north) – Yellow line on map 

Dane Hill Cross to Horner Hill 

2 R along lane, and L at BW sign and continue for about 200 meters 

15 R at BW sign and markers, up steep gradient, and along single track, fine views to L, till steep gradient down to BW junction to rejoin the circular 

Alternatively, after (2) continue northbound along RD for about 1 mile till unmetalled TJ at (10) to avoid steep gradients.

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Stockland and surrounding area

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Easy. Distance 12 miles (19 km)
This 12-mile circular is a relatively easy ride with few gates, using mainly green lanes and quiet roads which link the hamlets and farmsteads of the Corry and Yarty valleys. This route links up with routes 1 and 2 (see route map) for greater route flexibility. This is one of five horse-riding circuits in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape– route 3

This 12-mile circular is a relatively easy ride with few gates, using mainly green lanes and quiet roads which link the hamlets and farmsteads of the Corry and Yarty valleys. C3 also links up with routes C1 and C2 (see route map) for greater route flexibility. This is one of five horse-riding circuits in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – route 3.

Riding Instructions (clockwise) 

Orange line on map e.g. Start Point Millhayes (ST 231039) 

1 Proceed along metalled road down across stream & up to TJ 

2 L along Groundhead Road to TJ at Hornshayes Knap X, crossroad (watch for traffic) ST along track till next metalled road 

3 ST at metalled road, bear L in 1/4 mile, & R over bridge in 1/2 mile 

4 Uphill and ST, R at TJ in 1 mile & next L down track to Lower Lye 

5 Proceed R past Lower Lye Farm to RD 

6 L at RD and continue over bridge to X roads 

7 L and after 3/4-mile, R up grassy track, then continue up the field and through Trebblehayes Farm buildings and across to RD at top. (If in doubt, follow parallel route on RD also marked in orange) 

8 ST and follow RD through Godsworthy Farm, down to bridge and L behind Ford House, and through field gate onto BW 

9 Keep level and to the R (do not follow more evident track up to L) and follow BW thro’ meadow and woods, then ST at metalled road up to Farley X 

10 Fork R, after 3/4-mile fork L down to Waterhouse Farm & cross ford (use Case Bridge if River Yarty in full spate), & R at TJ 

11 Take next L at “3 Ash Cross” up unmetalled road, fork R in 1/4 mile up unmetalled East Horner Lane, and along narrower grassy section (boggy at times) to RD at Heathstock 

12 Cross RD to Heathstock Farm on right, then fork R (Dencroft Lane) down track and R at road 

13 L thro’ Ford hamlet then uphill & R at TJ 

14 L along unmetalled road to the lane at the top 

15 R downhill, then 1st L down to Millhayes to complete circular 

 

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Luppitt and Upottery

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Easy. Distance 12 miles (19 km)
Wild and remote in parts, this 12-mile ride links some of the most picturesque villages in the Blackdown Hills. Hartridge and Luppitt commons provide a sharp contrast to the valley pastures.  There are magnificent views across the Otter tributaries. This is one of five horse-riding circuits in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – route 4

Wild and remote in parts, this 12-mile ride links some of the most picturesque villages in the Blackdown Hills. Hartridge and Luppitt commons provide a sharp contrast to the valley pastures.  There are magnificent views across the Otter tributaries. Easy riding throughout but beware of traffic on the Upottery-Rawridge road. The ford across the River Otter may not always be passable. This is one of five horse-riding circuits in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – route 4.

Riding Instructions (clockwise) 

Orange line on map e.g. Start Point Hartridge Common (ST 182072) 

 1 Next R, down green lane, R at road and follow left round and down the hill, across stream and next R up BW over soft ground 

2 Fork R at BW junction, and follow BW & way markers uphill & round to left, past Fairview Farm and along to RD 

3 Sharp R at road, R at TJ and follow for one and a half miles past Gullyhayes to next TJ 

4 R at TJ, then R at next TJ, and next fork L and follow road down to Upottery 

5 R at village and next L behind PH, keep L and follow RD becoming unmetalled road for about 1/2 mile 

6 R at TJ and keep R following green lane and fording River Otter, then continue along the green lane, then R onto RD till next junction 

7 Cross junction then L at major road (Upottery-Rawridge-watch for traffic) 

8 Next R, across River Otter along past Budgells Farm, then sharp L & pass between Odle and Tanahiort Farms and follow till it becomes a green lane and starts descending 

9 Continue onto BW trough gates and past Mohun’s Ottery onto metalled road, R at Pounds Farm and onto Beacon 

10 ST Beacon keeping right through common land and uphill to start point (1) availing fine views across the River Otter tributaries 

 

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Dunkeswell and Sheldon

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Medium. Distance 20 miles (32 km)
At 20 miles this is by far the longest, and probably the most varied route taking in the valleys of the Otter tributaries and the wooded escarpments of the region. Relatively easy riding. Magnificent lengths of bridleways and cantering opportunities. This is one of five horse-riding circuits in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – route 5

At 20 miles this is by far the longest, and probably the most varied route taking in the valleys of the Otter tributaries and the wooded escarpments of the region. Relatively easy riding, with some magnificent lengths of bridleways to the west. There are cantering opportunities especially between Knowles Wood and Blackbororough. Keep strictly to the field edge through the gliding club. There is an unavoidable three-mile road section to the south. Dunkeswell Abbey & The Old Inn at Ashill are worth a detour. This is one of five horse-riding circuits in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape – route 5 

Riding Instructions (clockwise) 

Orange line on map e.g. Start Point Stafford Hill (ST 1180542) 

1 Proceed north along BW through gates to road 

2 L at road & next L (signposted BW & Gliding Club), past buildings on L then buildings on R, then ST keeping to L edge of field 

3 Ignore BW to Broadhembury, & proceed to end BG, then through 2nd BG and onto car park at road 

4 L downhill then R at BW/light traffic car park (watch for traffic) & proceed along wooded BW for about one and a half miles to next road 

5 L at road and almost immediate R onto single track BW behind Blackborough cottages and back to road, continue north for about 3/4 mile to 2nd road on right at Allhallows Cross 

6 R past Allercombe Farm, ST at next X roads at Rull House, over stream, keep L and L again up to Hackpen X 

7 R at Hackpen X, up Hackpen Hill, and proceed along straight road for about one and a half miles, cross over Dunkeswell-Hemyock road Gypsy X (watch for traffic), then next R & past Moorhayes Farm, over stream, and ST through Madford (NB Dunkeswell Abbey nearby) 

8 Up past Abbotsford Farm, then next L and 200m R using single track through copse (Routy Lane) 

9 R at road then next L, then ST X roads at Jack’s House (watch traffic) 

10 Immediate R past Gullyhayes Farm, & after about 1 mile, L at Combeshead and down the hill to next junction 

11 Sharp L along BW past Fairview Farm, follow round to R keeping to BW marker signs, downhill forking L at BW junction, down to road 

12 L over stream, uphill and, immediately after hairpin R at Hillend, take L up into green lane 

13 R at road, follow downhill through common, take 2nd right (signposted Luppitt) 

14 After about 200yds, fork L down a green lane to Hillside X roads, ST onto road and across stream, uphill, and ST next X roads, uphill again to plateau and follow straight road west for about 3 miles back to start point (1), crossing Luppitt Common and Dunkeswell-Honiton X roads (watch for traffic) 

 

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