The West Downers Men’s Walking Club
We are a club for reasonably active blokes who enjoy a morning ramble for a few hours followed by a pint or two in an inviting hostelry.
We walk fortnightly during the second and fourth week of each month usually on a Thursday.
Please meet at 09.00 a.m (unless stated otherwise) in the Parish Hall car park in West Down where we can share transport.
If you would like to join us and for more information please contact Ian Rothwell on 01271 871018 or Tony Stafford on 01271 871712
2019 Spring/ Summer Walks
March 14th Hunter’s Inn to Woody Bay – this is our old favourite for the start of the season. 5 miles along the coastal path and returning by the old carriageway – Lunch at The Hunter’s Inn
March 28th Lynmouth, Watersmeet and Countisbury – From Lynmouth we follow the wooded gorge of the River Lynn before climbing up towards Countisbury eventually joining the coastal path for the return route. 5 miles with a steep climb. Lunch at The Rising Sun, Lynmouth.
April 11th Combe Martin and Hangman Hill – this 5 mile walk starts with a long ascent but the views are worth it and there are benches that offer respite if needed. Lunch at The Globe, Berrynarbour
April 25th Whitfield Down and the Tarka Trail – a 5.3/4 mile walk through undulating terrain with some breathtaking inland views and snippets of history along the way. Lunch at The Poltimore Arms
May 9th Trentishoe Downs and Heddons Mouth Cleave – this 6.3/4 mile walk crosses the Trentishoe Down and follows the spectacular coast before descending into the Heddon Valley. Lunch at The Hunters Inn
May 23rd Ilfracombe, Lee Bay and Borough Valley – starting from Slade the route takes us to the coastal path to Lee and up through the Borough Valley eventually joining the Tarka trail for the return journey to Slade. 6 miles in all. Lunch at Weatherspoons, Ilfracombe
June 13th Arlington and Luxhore – explores wooded valleys, parkland and the Yeo Valley and takes us through the hamlet of Loxhore. Lunch at The Pyne Arms, East Down
June 27th Buttercombe Barton, Buttercombe Woods, Spreacombe Bridge and West Down – A local walk of about 5 miles. Lunch at The Crown, West Down
July 11th Lorna Doone Country – 8 mile of moorland and woodland tracks starting at Malmsmead and heading up through the valley of Badgeworthy Water and returning over open moorland. Lunch at the Staghunters Hotel
July 25th Berrynarbour and Widemouth Head – A climb out of the Sterridge Valley and a gentle decent into Hele followed by one of the least strenuous stretches of the coastal path back to Barrynarbour. A total of 7 miles. Lunch at the Sawmills Berrnarbour
August 8th Exford and Room Hill – A 6 mile walk starting from Exford the route follows the Exe valley to the south of the village before climbing Road Hill and Room Hill then descending to cross the river at Nethercote and returning by the banks of the Exe. Lunch at the White Horse Inn Exford
August 22nd Brendon – A circular walk of 4.5 miles heading eastwards towards Malmsmead and back along the East Lynn Valley. Lunch at the Beggars Roost
Sept 12th Withypool and Tarr Steps – 8 miles along one of the finest walks in Exmoor including some of the loveliest stretches of riverside walking in the country. Lunch at the Royal Oak Inn
Sept 26th Parracombe and Challacombe Common – an 8 mile walk across the high open country near the western fringes of the old wild Exmoor. Lunch at the Black Venus
Oct 10th Bampton and Morebath – just under 6 miles via fields and green lanes to the little hamlet of Morepath, starting from Bampton. Lunch at the Swan, Bampton
Oct 24th Winsford Hill – a 7 mile walk from the prettiest village in Exmoor to the summit of the hill 1400ft and a descent along the ridge of the Punchbowl. Lunch at the Royal Oak Hotel, Winsford
Nov 14th Croyde and Georgeham – 7.5 miles through a variety of scenery from surf washed sands and rocky cliffs to flower stren paths (perhaps not in November) and green fields. Lunch at the Thatch, Croyde
Nov 28th Great Torrington and Furzbeam Hill – a 6 mile ramble around what was known as the English Jerusalem. Lunch at the Black Horse Inn, Torrington
Further walks being planned to take us through to the latter half of 2019.
Current Walking Club Contacts
Ashley Daly 01271 814988 rosashdaly@gmail.com
Chris Dee 01271 870130 chris_w_dee@hotmail.com
David Maidment 07840904304 davrondevon@outlook.com
Eric Philipson 01271 865480 philipson8ra@btinternet.com
Ian Rothwell 01271 871018 ihrothwell@btinternet.com
Paul Robbins 01271 865712 mrprobbins@yahoo.com
Roger Parry 01271 855678 randnparry@hotmail.com
Tony Stafford 01271 871712 toestafford@gmail.com
Photos from past memorable walks
Greater Hangman and Combe Martin
20.6.2019
Great day for walking up the Greater Hangman which is the highest point on the South West Coastal Path at 1043ft above sea level with cliff face of 800ft which is the highest in England. Its a fair old slog to get up there but worth the effort with the spectacular views on hand.
Watersmeet
28.3.2019
Too early in the season to encounter Countisbury Hill so a leisurely walk from Lynmouth to Ash Bridge was well received on a sunny (but cool) day
Hunters Inn to Woody Bay
14.3.2019
After some wet weather the waterfall at Woody Bay was in full flow
Dunkery Beacon
16.8.2018
A great walk today – if great means that tortuous final climb up from Horner Water!!
As I said to my Aussie friends ……. UK 6 ….. Australia 0
Chittlehampton, Pitt Wood and Umberleigh
10.5.2018
…..into the fairy woods.
Monkleigh, Tarka Trail and Frithelstock
12.4.2018
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- For once Eric had nothing to say….
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- Some of David Pepper’s old aquaintances decided to look him up!!
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- Tarka Trail
Clifton – East Down – Bugford
22.3.2018
North Pole….here we come
David Pepper tying Eric up in knots in the Pyne Arms
Pop-Up Walk – Lee
22.2.2018
… and guess who’s Compo !!!
Hawkridge and Anstey Common
“One boot Eric – muddied and bloodied” – “Roger, Eric, Ian and Chris … the long hard road”
27.10.2017
Winford Hill
Paul, being an old Briton, holds the Caractacus Stone on the top of Winsford Hill whilst we munch our flapjacks.
14.9.2017
Wills Neck and Triscombe Combe
Blue skies made for a spectacular walk on the Quantocks. These Hill ponies were very friendly…possibly because Eric had some tasty morsels to share with them!!
10.8.2017
Arlington Court and Loxhore
Roger was torn between his jug of gravy and a pint of Exmoor at the Pyne Arms, East Down….the pint didn’t stand a chance!!
27.7.2017
Lundy
Many thanks to Chris and Mandy for arranging a great day at Lundy….their enthusiasm and guided tours made up for some rather drab cold weather…and we all got to see the Puffins!!!
29.6.2017
Dolton and Cherbeer
Lovely day for a walk … and a special occasion as Eric had TWO pints!!
25.5.2017
Hurlstone and Selworthy Beacon
Passing some Exmoor ponies near Selworthy Beacon
13.4.2017
Hunters Inn and Cherryford Hill via Woody Bay and Martinhoe Common
Another great walk on a very sunny day. The waterfall at Woody Bay was in full flow due to some pretty poor weather in the days leading up to the walk.
9.3.2017
Woolacombe to Putsborough returning via Woolacombe Down
Ian and Eric striding out
12.1.2017
Baggy Point and Saunton Down
……… “smilers” !!
27.10.2016
Chumleigh and Eggesford Forest
Club members considering whether this mode of transport will get them to the pub sooner…the only problem is the Red Lion doesn’t have a landing pad!!
13.10.2016
Dunster Park and Withycombe Hill
Another lovely walk and the Somerset weather didn’t disappoint.
Dunster Castle in the background
(30.9.2016)
Bampton and Morpeth
And our intrepid leader Tony quotes……”Chaps – lovely walk – thank you for the support, criticism, banter and beer!!”
(25.8.2016)
Withypool and Tarr Steps
Happy walkers by the River Barle
(14.7.2106)
Hunters Inn and Woody Bay
Best of the year so far!! – first walk of the season – after some very poor weather we struck a piece of gold in the sky….this was Devon at it’s best!!
(10.3.2016)
Slade and Borough Valley Walk –
“…..walking is Man’s best medicine…..”
(14.12.2015)
Sheepwash Walk – A good 6 mile walk around the village of Sheepwash with David contemplating his next house move!
(30.9.2015)
Valley of the Rocks Walk – Fabulous weather today for our walk along the Valley of the Rocks – here above Lee Abbey.
(10.9.2015)
Exford and Room Hill Walk – Lyncombe Hill – Flapjack time for Smiler, Truly and Foggy on a lovely Friday morning. Special thanks to Compo for his fine photographic skills.
(4.9.2015)
Lundy – a lunch break by Gannets’ Rock during a great trip to Lundy Island last Thursday
(16.7.2015)
Buck Mills – Eric looking a little sweaty half way through our circular walk from Parkham via Buck’s Mills
DaveWellings – Dave persuading Eric to have a dip
SkinnyDip – Eric and Dave getting very cold
DunkeryBeacon – Mike Lehan (from Australia), Eric, Tony and Ian reaching the heights on a beautiful September day
CountisburyHill – a beautiful 8 mile walk ending on the Coast path looking towards Lynton
Slim v Tubby – David and Tony sporting their physiques!!
Coddenhill – David, Ian and Eric munching Pippa Stafford’s fantastic flapjacks on Codden Hill