Walks Around Britain

We're filming this walk soon, so it isn't ready here yet to watch, but you can still follow the route directions & the map.

A pleasant circular walk in the heart of Exmoor, which follows the Two Moors Way along the River Barle on the way out, passing prehistoric relics, and takes you over open countryside on the return.

Thanks to Farm & Cottage Holidays for this walk.

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• Exit the car park onto the main road, and from there take the path signposted 'Landacre via Cow Castle' near the Exmoor Forest Hotel.

• Walk through Birchcleave Wood and cross the blue marked gate on to the bridleway.Follow the path round Flexbarrow, a steep hillock, and continue past Wheel Eliza, the remains of a nineteenth century copper mine.

• The path then follows the river until Cow Castle, another steep hillock. Follow the path around Cow Castle and back towards the river again.

• Passing a conifer wood on the left and over a few blue marked stiles, you will reach a wooden footbridge. Do not cross, but instead take one of the paths that run parallel to the river, which will lead you through the lower edge of the wood.

• Leave the wood through a wooden gate and follow the blue marked path to Withypool, which rises quite steeply.

• When you reach the ridge take a sharp left, signposted 'Simonsbath via picked stones'.

• You will then cross fields and several gates before reaching a tarmac track to Pick Stones Farm.

• Pass through the farm keeping to the left hand side and following the yellow markers.

• On leaving the farm, stick to the lower left hand path on the lower side of the large open field.
• After a steep descent, cross White Water stream next to a disused quarry.

• Bear right and then sharp left, which takes you up a steep path levelling on a broad moor.

• On reaching a small copse bear left and then walk towards Simonsbath with the stone and beech hedge on your right, following the marked blue signs. You will pass through 3 sets of gates.

• On approaching Winstitchen Farm cross a stile on the left and cross the field diagonally downwards to another stile.

• Follow marked blue posts and gates, which lead you to Birchcleave Wood.

• The woodland path is signposted 'Simonsbath' and will lead you back to the main road where you can retrace your steps to the car park.

Distance 8 miles (km)

Minimum time 3 hours 50 mins

Ascent/gradient ft (235m)

Grade/Paths Medium - Mostly good, can get pretty muddy in places after rain. Quite a few stiles.

OS Map Explorer OL9 (Grid SS 773392)

Dogs? Yes

Parking National Trust car park

Public Transport By Bus -

Toilets/Refreshments Toilets in car park, refreshments & facilities in Exmoor Forest Hotel and Simonsbath village.

Farm & Cottage Holidays
Farm & Cottage Holidays is a family run and owned business that have been marketing properties throughout the West Country since 1979. They offer the finest selection of hand-picked self-catering holiday cottages in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, all located in superb rural and coastal locations. So whether you are looking for a luxury apartment, quaint cottage, unique log cabin or traditional farmhouse, the perfect holiday is yours to choose!


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