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

Download PDF

Medium difficulty. Distance 9 miles (14.5 km)

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.

Location: