Abbeyford Woods, EX20 1RN
https://www.forestryengland.uk/abbeyford-woods
Forestry Commission
Good range of walks on both sides of the road. We normally park in the main car park and walk on the main path, then taking the path to the left, turning left at the bottom and then turning into the woods at the bench. Some way along this path you come to a path to the left which will bring you through the deep wood and back to the car park. For a longer walk, carry on past the bench and you eventually come to a path just before the road which runs parallel to the road and brings you back to the car park.
The Police use the woods for riot training so look out for rubber bullets in the undergrowth (they are much bigger than I imagined) – we have quite a collection now.
The history of the buildings in the woods is also quite interesting – have a look at the plaques on the walls.
Burley Down woods near Lydford
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/burley-down/
We only explored a little of the wood – it extends quite a way and seems to have several interesting trails. We found it on the way back from a visit to the Equafleece workshop where we had taken the girls to get them properly measured as I wasn’t certain that they had the right sizes (they didn’t).
Dartmoor
There are plenty of lovely places to walk in Dartmoor, the main issue being livestock and the need to keep the dogs under control. If it is very open you should be able to see if there is any livestock around but do be aware that a flock of sheep can appear from nowhere in seconds. We normally walk them on the lead on Dartmoor because we can’t be certain that they wouldn’t chase sheep if they did appear.
Bellever (PL20 6TW) is gorgeous – the river is great for paddling, the car park is well shaded and there are picnic tables. There is a short walk to the river and back. You can also walk from Bellever to Laughter Tor.
Burrator reservoir (PL20 6PE)
We decided to try Burrator reservoir as there is a fenced dog exercise area as well as the Arboretum where you can let them off the lead. Although there isn’t a cafe on the site, The Knightstone tea rooms in Yelverton (PL20 6BT), the Burrator Inn (PL20 6NP) and the Rock Inn (PL20 6DS) are all dog friendly, as are some other pubs in the area.
On this occasion we went to the dog exercise area (we managed to park just outside) and we were the only ones in it although there were a lot of people walking their dogs on a lead on the road. The paths were a mixture of stones, grass and a few muddy bits. At the bottom of the path we turned right which took us along the reservoir towards a stream which ran into the reservoir. There was also a small pond, deep enough for Jenna to swim in. The one issue in terms of security is that although the fence is secure, the gates into the area and from the area to the reservoir have a large enough gap at the bottom for our Goldies to get through and before we knew it, they were in the reservoir. The stream was quite fast flowing but not deep, and it is only a short distance to the reservoir which is calm. The area is wooded and they had a great run around.
Fernworthy Reservoir (TQ13 8EY) – The walk right the way around the reservoir is about 2.5 miles in length and takes in good views of the dam and reservoir – it is clearly signposted. There is also a shorter walk (red route) which is an easy walk accessible to wheelchairs and buggies. For this walk, instead of heading towards the reservoir you head away from it to the back of the car park and through the gate. Dogs are supposed to be kept on the lead here and out of the water – this is not only because this is a working reservoir but also because of the risk of blue/green algae which is toxic to dogs.On our last walk there was a takeaway cafe in the car park.
Laughter Tor (PL20 6TT) has been a favourite since our son was small – brilliant views from the top. You can park just off the road on the grass (not recommended when the ground is wet) and walk up the hill and then turn left towards the standing stone. If you take the right path from here, it will bring you past the pony enclosure and on to the Tor. Return by going the other side of the pony enclosure back to the standing stone and rejoin the main path. There is an old mine shaft to the side of the main path which is fenced off. You can walk to Bellever from Laughter Tor.
Newbridge (TQ13 7NT) in the south is a lovely place for a gentle stroll along the river and a picnic alongside it. There is a path along the river which can be as long as you like – you choose when to turn back. There are plenty of other walks in the area, including one that takes you up Newbridge Hill and then along the path at the top of the hill and back to the car park.
Shilley Pool, near Throwleigh
To visit for the first time, I’d recommend following the moorland road that runs between South Zeal and Throwleigh. Just before Moor Farm, you’ll see a grass and gravel area west of the road used by locals for parking. If you look at the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 ‘Dartmoor’ map, you’ll see a contour reading of ‘262’ where the moorland road splits to Throwleigh. The car parking area is there.
Leave your car and wander back in the direction of South Zeal. Just after the split in the road, and before a cattle grid, is a strip of moorland running south west along the southern bank of Blackaton Brook in the direction of Shilley Pool. Follow the very obvious path up the south bank of the brook. It does get boggy and muddy so take boots unless there’s been a long period of dry weather.
This is a great pool for dogs to swim in, about 2 foot deep, Also great for kids – take along a strong plastic bag such as a feed bag and slide down the slope into the water. Also a great place for a picnic. It’s not that well known and it is a bit of a scramble to get there but it can get busy in summer. Because you are following the brook uphill, there are also other places along the brook that you could stop and let the dogs have a splash about.
Fingle Bridge, Drewsteignton, EX6 6PW
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fingle-bridge
Although the drive down to Fingle Bridge is narrow and the road is very rough, once there, there are plenty of spaces to take dogs and for them to have a good run off the lead. There are paths on both sides of the river and you can walk all the way along the river to the main road at Clifford Bridge (Or you can park at Clifford Bridge and walk to Fingle Bridge). We usually go over the bridge and turn left as there is a large open space for them to chase the ball, plus easy access for them to paddle in the river. There are also toilets on this side. Dogs are allowed in the bar and on the terrace of the Fingle Bridge Inn.
Meeth Quarry, Hatherleigh, EX20 3ER
Devon Wildlife Trust
https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/nature-reserves/meeth-quarry
A favourite of ours, especially on sunny weekends and bank holidays when the beaches in Devon are packed. Although it is getting a bit more popular, it has always been fairly quiet when we’ve been there. We normally walk straight along the path to the first point at which there is a little side path that goes down to a bench by the water. There is a map at the car park (drive all the way down, don’t stop at the car park at the entrance) and this will show you a range of colour coded walks. We like to stop at Made-well for coffee on the way back.
Meldon Reservoir, Okehampton, EX20 4LU
We rediscovered this during lockdown. There are a range of walks from the car park – straight up the hill or over the dam and either left or right. Unfortunately, can’t walk right the way around the reservoir any longer. We usually cross the dam, turn right and then walk to the gate and through there to the benches to sit and enjoy the view. There are sometimes sheep loose so watch out for those.
Roadford Lake, Lifton, PL16 0RL
https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/Pages/Site/activities/Category/roadford-lake
Dogs are supposed to be kept on the lead here and out of the water – this is not only because they are working reservoirs but also because of the risk of blue/green algae which is toxic to dogs. At the top of the main car park is a reasonable size enclosed dog area where you can let them off the lead for a free run. There are a variety of walks including around the reservoir. We like the walk from the main car park to the sun dial which is a wheelchair and buggy accessible route and has benches along the path. Nice cafe with indoor and outdoor tables – there is a paw wash area and dogs are allowed in the cafe on leads.
Skaigh wood, Sticklepath near Okehampton , Grid reference SX636938
https://belstonevillage.net/skaigh-wood/
A recent discovery of ours, despite having lived in the area for over 30 years. Our first foray took us towards the Skaigh and to the parking area on the left hand side of the road just before the road climbs up. From there we headed down to the river and along, turning uphill when we met a very muddy area. This path met the larger path and we turned left and walked above the river until we decided it was time to turn back.
Stone Lane Sculpture Gardens, Chagford, TQ13 8JU
http://www.stonelanegardens.com
Beautiful woodland gardens with Sculptures dotted about through them – mainly fitting so well into their environment that you don’t notice them until you look carefully. Dogs are allowed in the gardens on the lead and there are seats everywhere so you can rest and enjoy the sculptures. The tea rooms are lovely – run by volunteers who are incredibly friendly. There is disabled parking very close to the tearooms and gardens, or a main car park a short distance away.
Simmons Park, EX20 1PW
https://www.okehampton.gov.uk/simmonspark.php
A pretty and well kept park with a river and stream running through it. Plenty of open space plus various walks through and around the park. The Dartmoor way runs from the entrance to the tennis court car park at the back of Okehampton College and circles round to Station Road. For a shorter walk, there is a bridge which will take you across the stream and down to the river behind the playing fields or there is a steep path after the viaduct which will bring you back to the park. The Pavilion Cafe is dog friendly.
Winkleigh Woods, EX19 8LD
Another place we often take the dogs to. You can either walk right the way round (about 1 1/2 miles) or cut through the woods half way round. More of a dog walker’s wood rather than a family one, you can normally let the dogs off the lead and they will have a great time running through the woods and along the stone chipping path. Although the path makes it practical in wet weather, there are numerous ditches which stay wet and muddy so we try to remember to put their equafleeces on them even in summer. Catkin blooms in Winkleigh is a perfect stop for coffee.
Goldies on tour 