Cider Strolls

This page contains walks that allow you to enjoy the lovely East Devon countryside and visit pubs with one or more Real ciders or perries on offer.

More will be added once explored.

If you know of an easy/moderate walk, accessible at either end by public transport, please email details to ku.gro.armac.retexe@redic

Cider Stroll No. 1: Yeoford to Coleford and return
Cider Stroll No. 2: Crediton to Sandford and return
Cider Stroll No. 3: Whimple Orchards Walk
Cider Stroll No. 4: Drewsteignton to Fingle Bridge Circular Walk

Cider Stroll No. 1: Yeoford to Coleford and return
Cider Stroll No. 1 - PDF

This is a fifty minute stroll each way and easy underfoot.
(Please check pub opening times before you set off.)

Leave the platform at Yeoford station via the tunnel and follow the narrow path that runs parallel with the railway track. When you get to a road cross straight over and continue along the path on the other side, following the railway along the side of a field to the next road.

Turn right onto the road, paddle through the ford (or use the raised footbridge) into the hamlet of Penstone.

In Penstone follow the road through the hamlet curving left, under the railway bridge and continue to follow the road until you get to a T junction. Turn right and continue along the road into Coleford. At the crossroads in Coleford turn right to find The New Inn usually serving three real ciders and a perry.

Once suitably refreshed, retrace the route and on exiting the tunnel back at Yeoford station turn left up the path, through the gate and right onto the road for approximately 100 meters to The Duck pub where you will usually find Sandford Orchards Devon Mist on offer. Depending on train services used there is also an option to stop off at Newton Saint Cyres or Crediton if returning to Exeter.

Cider Stroll No. 2: Crediton to Sandford and return
Cider Stroll No. 2 - PDF

With cider at the beginning and at the end, this is an easy hour’s walk each way.
(Please check pub opening times before you set off.)

Starting at Crediton Railway Station, exit towards town onto Four Mills Lane. At the end of the lane turn left onto Exeter Road (A377).

When the road forks, bear right onto Mill Street where at 28a you will find The Crediton Inn serving Sandford Orchards Scrumpy on hand pump. (Sandford Orchards Cider Works is also a short walk away from this pub). On leaving the pub turn right and after approx. 70 metres turn left onto Blagdon. At the little roundabout carry straight on up Jockey Hill. When you get to the crossroads with Stonewall Lane and Higher Road turn left onto Higher Road and a few yards along on the right (by some black and white bollards) is the start of a dedicated foot/cycle path.

Easy underfoot, this well-maintained path starts through a wooded hillside then runs along the edge of fields with rural views before entering the village of Sandford through the Millennium Green - a wild flower meadow maintained by local volunteers.

In Sandford you will find two pubs; The Rose & Crown and The Lamb Inn both offering real ciders to refresh you before your return trip to Crediton.

Cider Stroll No. 3: Whimple Orchards Walk
Cider Stroll No. 3 - PDF
(Some photos follow shortly)

(Please check pub and heritage centre opening times before you set off.)

This walk is particularly lovely in May when the apple blossom is out and in early autumn when the apples are ripe. It’s a circular route of just over 2.5 miles taking you through the village and out into the orchards via footpaths and lanes.

Beginning and ending at Whimple Station making a stop at The New Fountain Inn for some cider made with apples from the orchards you’ve just walked through! There is also a heritage centre next to the pub (open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Bank Holiday Mondays) which has some interesting information on the old Whiteway’s Cyder Company.

Whiteway’s Devon Cyder Company was based in Whimple and for nearly a century the orchards surrounding Whimple were nurtured and used to make their cider. Whiteway’s closed in 1985 and the factory yards were sold off for housing development. The orchards have survived and a small number of independent companies still make proper old Devon cider in the area such as Courtney’s of Whimple whose cider you will find in the New Fountain Inn.

On leaving Whimple station take a footpath to your left which runs along the back of the school. At the road, turn left under the railway bridge and past the church. Turn right in front of the village stores/Post Office and 50yds along right again at the bend of the road before the car park onto a public footpath which takes you back under the railway. Turn left when the path branches, go over a footbridge and follow this path over another little footbridge to a road. Cross the road and pick up the footpath on the other side. Follow the path over a stile (can be a tiny bit muddy after wet weather). Walk straight up the field and over another stile following the path through the orchards, keeping straight ahead and following the waymarks, over another style, bearing left, until you reach another road. Go through the metal barred gate (or over the style) and turn left.

You very soon pass a couple of thatched cottages on your right and approx. 80 yds past these on the left, are three gaps in the hedge. (If you reach Gateshayes Farm you have missed the track!) The first of these gaps is a gate into an orchard and the second is a wide track; actually a (poorly marked) footpath! Turn down this track with orchards on your left. Go past a farm and back onto a metalled lane following it to your left.

Bear right at a junction with a display of lovely old wooden cider crates and go back under the railway then immediately left again, following the lane all the way back into Whimple to the church. Pass the car park to your left and at the Stores Post Office, take a detour right - up the road to The Fountain Inn and the Whimple Heritage Centre to find out about cider making.

To get back to the station from the Fountain turn left back past the Church, under the railway bridge and retrace your steps along the footpath to your right, which runs along the back of the school and into the station.

Cider Stroll No. 4: Drewsteignton to Fingle Bridge Circular Walk

With real cider at the beginning and at the end, this is an easy 1¼ hour’s circular walk. Bus number 173 leaves Sidwell St. stop 40 in Exeter at 11.15 arriving in Drewsteignton village in perfect time for a drink at each end of the walk and in time to catch the 15.40 bus back to Exeter. (Please check bus timetable and pub opening times before you set off.)
You can either start from the bus stop heading steeply downhill past the church or call in at The Drewe Arms for a swift half first to fortify you and then start your walk by cutting through the churchyard to meet the same road.

Half an hour of walking along the road will get you to the Fingle Bridge Inn at the bottom of the valley. You also have the option of taking a signed (steep) footpath on the right just before the bend to slightly cut off the corner. If you take the footpath turn right onto the road at the bottom to reach the Fingle Bridge Inn. (You will almost immediately pass a signed bridle path on your right which is your return route to Drewsteignton village later.)

On leaving the pub, retrace your route along the road and take the bridle path on the left. This path is good underfoot and a more gradual ascent back to the village and should take about 45 minutes. Keep right when you get to a slight fork and continue walking on the this track until you get to a T junction at which you bear right, signposted Drewsteignton.

Follow this path until you get to the next junction at which point you again turn right through a gate, still following the bridle path as it then bends left to the village.

Turn right onto the road and shortly arrive back at the bus stop in the village.