Walk facts
- Distance : approximately 7 km (4.4 miles)
- Time: about two-and-a-half hours
- Terrain: some gentle to moderate hills
- Footwear: Footpaths could be muddy. Sturdy trainers or walking shoes are advised
- Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer 115
Sidford facilities
If arriving by car, there is public pay & display parking to the side of the Spar convenience shop. Alternatively, buses X53, X54 and 52A stop adjacent to the shop and the 52B stops by the Rising Sun pub.
In addition to the above mentioned shop and pub, there is a post office, a take-away fish & chip shop, chemist and public conveniences.
The walk through Sidford
From the Spar shop, walk east, away from the traffic lights. On the right is Porch Cottage which, according to an inset stone on the wall, dates from 1574. Local legend suggest that King Charles II hid here when escaping from Oliver Cromwell's forces after the Battle of Worcester. However, The Monarch's Way, a long distance footpath retracing Charles' flight from the battle to Shoreham, does not pass anywhere near Sidford. Perhaps this legend is somewhat innaccurate.
Cross the bridge over the river Sid. Originally there was was a ford here, obviously giving the name to the village. A brass plate, dangerously placed on the traffic side of the wall, records that the bridge originates from Norman times. Local history publications suggest it was provided for pack-horses to carry stone for the building of Exeter Cathedral. Avoid the temptation to go straight on and into the pub further up the road. Instead, turn left and walk along Harcombe Lane, passing well-kept bungalows.
A driveway with views
Go straight across at the end of Harcombe Lane and up the driveway indicated by the footpath sign. Enjoy the views of Buckton Hill and a glimpse of the elegant Boswell Farmhouse on the left. When you reach a cattle grid, the view ahead opens out to meadows (picture 1). Continue up the drive and past another grid, flanked by tall gateposts. Turn sharp left at the signpost just before Knowle House residential care home. The path narrows past a house on the left. At a gate across the path, turn right up the bridleway and on to a drive, where you turn left between impressively high and neat box hedging. Follow the drive round to the right, then turn left in front of a distinctive barn built from overlapping wood planks. Just past the barn, leave the bridleway by turning right at the footpath sign.
Walking through meadows
There has been a minor change in the route ahead and at the time of writing, new way-markers have not yet been installed. So, continue down the broad track and through a small metal gate to the left of a much wider gate. Go through a second small gate a few metres further on. Immediately turn right, heading down to the bottom corner of the field, then across the stream on the railway sleepers, and over the stile. A footpath sign here shows that you are back on the old path. Go straight up the hill keeping the hedge on your left. Pause, turning round to admire the valley and the distant farms (picture 2).
Into woodland
Go through the farm gate in the top corner of the field and continue diagonally right up through the trees, then through the gate into a field. Head up and right to another gate on the field edge. Now back into woodland, you continue upwards, ignoring the footpath to the left, to reach the main A3052 road. Turn right, and after about 50 metres cross over onto the marked footpath. This rises diagonally to the right through the trees to reach a lane. If you are now feeling one gasp away from a visit by the paramedics, relax. This is the highest point of the walk, and it is virtually all downhill from here.
Walk down the tree fringed lane, straight past an adjoining lane to the left. At a sharp right-hand bend, as indicated by the footpath sign, turn on to the drive between two white posts marked "Fir Tree Cottage." Where the drive curves down and right to the cottage, fork left at the waymarker sign. This track can be muddy, but in one place, tree-stump stepping-stones (picture 3) have been provided for walkers. Horses, presumably, just have to plod through it as best they can. There are views to the right across the Sid valley. Further on, the track turns right, signposted "Griggs Lane." Go downhill, enjoying further glimpses of the Sid Valley towards the sea to the left.
Along the valley floor
The track becomes a metalled lane – continue to the bottom where you turn left. Approximately 100 metres on, turn right onto the combined footpath/cycle track, passing through two gates and across the river. This is a delightful spot as water tumbles over rocks (picture 4) on its way to the sea. Follow the cinder path round to the left and right and at the next gate turn right, where a cycleway signpost indicates that Sidford is half-a-mile away. This combined cycle/walking path widens a little further on – keep to the right of the white line that now separates walkers and cyclists. The green areas to the left and right are favourite spots for squirrels, robins and blackbirds. The path takes you past the Sidmouth Rugby Club and ends opposite Sidford Village Hall. Continue along Warrens Mead, a residential street, to the main road. Turn left to return to the start point.
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