Brampford Speke to Thorverton Linear Walk

Brampford Speke was best described by the Victorian writer George Gissing and I quote “ I have discovered a village called Brampford Speke on the Exe, which I seriously think is one of the most perfect I ever saw. One imagines that some lord of the manor must exert himself to keep it in a picturesque state.”

It is just like time as stood still, with the river twisting and turning, with changes in its course due to a common flood plain feature. But in the village you can still see the cob and thatched cottages. The village itself is just perched on a low cliff of red sandstone which hangs out over the River Exe.

The wildlife is varied with butterflies along the river side usually the common Marbled Whites and also in the spring and summer there are wild flowers everywhere. Both in the water and along meadows you can often see the Grey Heron a large bird about 3 feet tall sometimes very still and stands on one leg for long periods of time. If you decide to walk later at dusk time you may be lucky enough to see the Barn Owls.

The land is mostly farmland which stretches down the wide open flat valley just like a colourful patchwork quilt, and were the fields have been ploughed it gives the appearance there is a hole in the quilt. The River Exe is pleased to run through Brampford Speke with its level ground, this is after its high beginnings on Exmoor were it drops sharply down through wooded combes and through Tiverton on its way through finally Exe Estuary.

Thorverton is another picturesque village with its cobbled paths and stream which runs through the village carrying water down from the surrounding hills.

England - South West England - Devon - Countryside

Walkingworld members near this walk

Walk id: 5404

Walk grade

Easy Walk

Length

4.4 Miles

Height gain

28 Metres

Duration

1 Hours 48 Mins

Average rating

Rated by 0 members

Dog rated by 0 members