Lifton to Stowford

Lifton, just 4 miles (6.4km) from the Cornish border, suffered for years from heavy traffic on account of its location on the old A30, the main route into Cornwall from Exeter and points east. Since the coming of the new A30 in the 1980s things have definitely looked up. The village has some interesting buildings, including St Mary’s Church, dating from the 15th century and built in Perpendicular style, typical of many of West Devon’s churches. Lifton also lies on the Two Castles Trail, a waymarked 24-mile (39km) walking route between the Norman castles at Launceston in Cornwall and Okehampton in Devon (both worth a visit). Within minutes of setting off you can lose yourself in the remote and little-visited strip of green, rolling countryside that lies between the new and old A30 routes.

From Points 4 and 7 there are good views of the Gothic mansion of Hayne, rebuilt in 1810, and the seat of the Harris family from the reign of Henry VIII until 1864. There are some splendid 18th-century monuments to members of the family in Stowford’s lovely Church of St John the Baptist. Dating from the 14th century, it was sympathetically restored in 1874 by Sir George Gilbert Scott, architect of St Pancras Station, at a cost of £4,000. He was involved in restoration work at Exeter Cathedral at the time. The 19th-century interior woodwork (copied from earlier examples) is said to be some of the finest in England. Look out for the wonderful views towards Cornwall, and the 1770 sundial over the door. Don’t miss the inscribed Stowford Stone, found by the entrance to the churchyard, believed to date from the 6th or 7th centuries.

The Wolf river, crossed near the start of the walk, emerges from 730-acre (296ha) Roadford Lake, the largest inland body of water in southwest England, created when the Wolf valley was flooded. This lovely spot lies north of the A30 and has Lakeside Café and gift shop, a sailing centre offering excellent watersport facilities, footpaths and opportunities for birdwatching; there is a Nature Reserve (largely hosting over-wintering birds) on its northwest shore.

Cross over Fore Street and turn right, then left to walk down North Road. Follow the lane past the community academy and out into the country.

Before reaching the Tinhay bridge bear left on a lane which soon rises gently, then descends to cross a stream. Immediately turn right through a gate on a public bridleway. Keep along the left field edge; at the end of the hedge continue past a footpath post, then keep in the same direction to cross a bridge over the River Wolf.

Pass through a gate and follow the track, through woodland, uphill. It leads into a broad green lane, which bends sharp left and continues slightly uphill then drops to pass the entrance to the car park at Dingles Fairground Museum. Join the tarmac lane to pass the café and buildings of Dingles at Milford Farm (left).

The lane ends at a road (Hayne Bridge to the right); turn left. Look out for a gritty track (‘Public bridleway’) to the right; turn right, eventually passing Arracott House. Go through a gate and along a green lane, which ends at another. Go through a gate immediately ahead and bear right downhill through a plantation, soon bearing left towards the bottom corner to emerge by a white cottage. Follow the drive to meet the lane opposite Lamerton Hunt Kennels.

Turn right to cross the River Thrushel on Stowford Bridge, then climb steeply to find a gate into the churchyard of Stowford’s beautiful and secluded church.

Leave the churchyard through the main gate and keep ahead to the lane. Turn right, then first right again, signed ‘Broadwood’. At the lane end turn right; at the T-junction turn left, signed ‘Sprytown’. Follow the road to meet the old A30.

Turn right (with care). Look for a bridlepath right (the drive to Castle Farm) and follow it uphill past farm buildings. Two gates lead to a lovely oak avenue. Pass through a gate and keep downhill on a broad banked track, turning right at the bottom (quarry lake left) and through a gate onto a lane.

Turn right to cross Tinhay Bridge and follow North Road back to the start point.