After our break away around Cheddar Gorge we returned home to another week of poor weather. By Sunday we decided to get out, but any thoughts of tors, hills and coastline were ignored as the cloud was down, even sat at home. Ashburton is a place we have normally driven through on our way off the moor, but we decided this time to pay a visit, pick up some Dartmoor 365 squares around the area and we are glad we did, as we liked Ashburton. I’ll be keeping an eye out for the reopening of the Exeter Inn for sure, and a chance to drink where Sir Walter Raleigh was arrested and where Sir Francis Drake was patron! Its a nice little town, some nice shops, church to have a look in and a few pubs. We will be back.
Start – Ashburton
Route – Rockpark Cross – Linhay Quarry – Waye – Owlacombe Cross – Dartmoor Way – Whiddon – Belford Mill – Cuddyford Cross – Great Bridge – Summerhill Cross and Lane – Ashburton
Distance – 7 miles Start time – 11.45am Time taken – 3hrs 15mins Highest Point – Near Owlacombe Cross 216 metres
Weather – Fog, low cloud, drizzle, murky, gloomy, claggy, dreich (and other such words)
We’d parked on North St, the church can be seen over on the right through the mistWe decided first to head out of town eastwards towards the quarry, passing lots of independent shops and old housesWe walked around the new road, passing entrances to the quarry, no views in today howeverDown a murky lane towards WayeSome daffodils brighten the canvass a littleGreat views back down to Ashburton as we climb to Owlacombe CrossOwlacombe Cross, this was Dartmoor square number 2 along with Ashburton itself.There is a little bench here, so we sat and had a sandwich, trying not to get dripped on as the earlier rain fell from the tree branchesWhiddon, can’t remember if this is Higher or LowerThe path required careful negotiation, Linda expertly traverses this section with good arm out balanceBelford Mill doing its Flatiron impersonation, this is a Dartmoor square as well.Another muddy track around the back of AshburtonSummerhill Lane, leads down to the River Dart, it only seems to go that far and nowhere else on the map, however its a Dartmoor square, so we came to look!Ashburton churchAnd insideThe Old Exeter Inn, which is indeed very old if the sign is to be believedVery very old, some very famous people have drunk in this place and for Sir Walter, the place where he was arrested. I’m always a little unsure about the claims of being the oldest, biggest, longest, tallest of something. But its certainly got some claim to fames here.
Love this, sometimes those misty, gloomy walks have their own charm! Ashburton sounds like a great little find, and that bit of history with the Exeter Inn is really cool.
Sometimes biting the bullet and getting out in horrible weather is better than staying still. Well done, you two and it looks like the walk was worth the effort.
“Great views back down to Ashburton as we climb to Owlacombe Cross” Hah – I’ve enjoyed that view many times myself – in many places! No shortage of mud about.
These pictures just sum up up the winter (and Easter where I am at the moment). You’ve completely converted me to post walk pints now so the Exeter Inn looks very welcoming
I’m trying to do my best to keep starting walks near to a pub to enable the continuation of the walk/pint feature! Fingers crossed your weather improves on your holiday
treksandtors 
Love this, sometimes those misty, gloomy walks have their own charm! Ashburton sounds like a great little find, and that bit of history with the Exeter Inn is really cool.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I was surprised about the Exeter Inn, looking forward to getting in there at some point
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’ll be a great one to check out! 😄 Places with a bit of history always have the best atmosphere and hope you get to pop in next time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooof all that mud looks a challenge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah it needed maximum concentration to stay upright
LikeLike
Back when I started, I used to get the bus out from Newton Abbot to Ashburton, then walk up those very ways to the Moor. Good to see the pictures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The locals used to call it Coffin Mill.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I can get that from the shape
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes biting the bullet and getting out in horrible weather is better than staying still. Well done, you two and it looks like the walk was worth the effort.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a good little round route
LikeLike
Ah i’m a sucker for mist and fog anyway, so I don’t expect to stay dry!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Great views back down to Ashburton as we climb to Owlacombe Cross” Hah – I’ve enjoyed that view many times myself – in many places! No shortage of mud about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The inside of clouds is indeed a familiar view, that lane of mud that Linda is on, was about 500 metres long and requiring high concentration levels
LikeLike
Same about the weather as it looks like a nice walk.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These pictures just sum up up the winter (and Easter where I am at the moment). You’ve completely converted me to post walk pints now so the Exeter Inn looks very welcoming
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m trying to do my best to keep starting walks near to a pub to enable the continuation of the walk/pint feature! Fingers crossed your weather improves on your holiday
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a fine tradition and these traditions that need to be kept alive! 🤣
Today was a much, much better day with plenty of sunshine
LikeLiked by 1 person