Medium difficulty. 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
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)
