Walks & Rides

Hemyock, Uffculme and Culmstock

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 

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 11 miles (18 km)

Total Ascent: 360.37m

Getting there

Walk Start/Finish: The public car park in Hemyock (100 metres from the Catherine Wheel) 

Grid Reference: ST135132 

Nearest Postcode: EX15 3RF 

What3Words: elbow.blog.collides 

Lat | Long: 50.911761 | -3.2317498 

Points of interest

Culmstock: Note the yew tree growing out of the church tower and the beacon house on Culmstock Common above the village. 

 

Uffculme: Coldharbour Mill Working Museum 

Challenges on route

Safety: Take extra care at junctions and bends. Take particular care when travelling between sections 1 and 3, the main road into Uffculme at 8, crossing the road at 9 and the B3391 between 13 and 14, as these are busy roads. A special characteristic of the Blackdown Hills National Landscape is its high hedges, which can restrict visibility, particularly in summer. 

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Medium difficulty. 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 

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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