Exe Valley Way (Stage 4) – Walking Route
There are a number of walks and trails that lead to Bickleigh Mill and the surrounding areas – great for walking enthusiasts and those that want to bring their dog along to the mill. With the summer fast approaching, why not make your way to nearby Thorverton and take the Exe Valley Way up to Bickleigh Mill for an afternoon coffee and cake?
The Exe Valley Way starts at Starcross and ends in Exford for a total of 54 miles – Stage 4 of this route takes you between Thorverton and Bickleigh and is around 4 miles (9km), taking around 2 hours to complete.
This route starts with a climb high up on to the the side of the Exe Valley, with beautiful views of the valley and the River Exe, as well as the sea on a clear day. The second half of the route is relatively flat and follows the valley floor, past Bickleigh Castle and Bickleigh Bridge all the way up to the front of the mill.
There are local bus services that run along most the Exe Valley Way, meaning that you can park in either Thorverton village centre or here at the mill and jump on the bus to get to the start of the route if you do not want to walk the 4 miles each way. Please see the Traveline website for information on services and times.
The Route – Map
Please check out the map below for an interactive view of the walking route. The letters on the map relate to the walking instructions listed below.
The Route – Instructions
A. Starting at The Exeter Inn on the main street of Thorverton (Bullen St), head toward the triangle green and move to its left, heading on to Jericho St. Keep walking along this street, out of Thorverton and on to a long country lane. This lane will climb gently from the main road.
B. Continue along this road a short way and take a left on to the first farm track that you see. Keep heading along this track, and after climbing and then descending again, you will come to a crossroads. Go straight across the crossroads and carry on to another steady climb. Keep to this lane, staying left at the fork in the road and descending back down to the valley floor.
C. When you arrive at Lee Cross Farm, take a right.
D. Continue along this road until the T-Junction, and head left along Stone Lane.
E. The way home is now straight along this lane, which goes straight on here to meet the A369 past Biclkeigh Castle and Bickleigh Bridge.
G. At the final T-Junction, turn right at the A3072, and right again over the bridge to return to the mill.