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 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
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Walks for 2017
Jan 26th (Pop Up) – Fullabrook Circular 6 miles – meet at Parish Hall 10.00am – Lunch at the Crown Inn West Down
Feb 16th (Pop up) – Spreacombe Circular 6 miles – meet at Scrumpy Cottage, Buttercombe Barton 10.00am.
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March 9th Hunter’s Inn and Cherryford Hill – our bracing start to the walking year with a 6 mile ramble over high rocky headlands and into ancient hanging oak woods and over Martinhoe common
Lunch at The Hunter’s Inn
March 23rd Kingsley, Kipling and a Horizontal Cliff Railway – a 6 mile walk from Westward Ho! past Abbotsham with superb views towards Clovelly
Lunch at The Thatched Inn, Abbotsham
April 13th Hurlstone and Selworthy Beacon – a 6 mile circular through much of the Holnicote estate (just west of Minehead) on a splendid and outstandingly attractive walk
Lunch at The Royal Oak, Porlock
April 27th Berrynarbour and Widmouth Head – 7 miles around this delightful village, climbing out of the Sterridge valley and a lovely return along the coast past Hele
Lunch at The Sawmills Freehouse
May 11th Brownsham and Clovelly – a return to the lovely coastal views around this popular spot and the bonus of the bluebells flooding the wooded coastal path – 7 miles of heaven!
Lunch at The Bell Inn, Parkham
May 25th Dolton and Cherbeer – a fairly gentle 7 mile country walk along quiet lanes past medieval Stafford Barton and Dowland Moor.
Lunch at The Rams Head, Dolton
June 8th Trentishoe Down and Heddon’s Mouth Cleave – this 7 mile walk crosses lofty Trentishoe Down and follows the spectacular coast before encountering the sessile oak woodlands of the Heddon Valley – POSTPONED TO 17TH AUGUST
Lunch at The Fox and Goose, Parracombe
June 22nd Iddesleigh and War Horse Valley – a 6 mile ramble through Ruby Country and the local area of author Michael Murpungo
Lunch at The Duke of York
June 29th Lundy – a leisurely ramble around the island coupled with an excellent birding commentary by our resident ornithologist. Arrive at Bideford 8.30am (SS Oldenburg dep. Bideford 0930, arr. Bideford 2100)
July 13th Simonsbath and the River Barle – a delightful walk of just over 7 miles downstream along the river-bank with the return high above the valley giving superb views all the way
Lunch at The Exmoor Forest Hotel
July 27th Arlington Court and Loxhore – this undulating 7 mile route explores wooded valleys, parkland and the Yeo valley along quiet lanes and hedged tracks
Lunch at the Pyne Arms
August 10th Wills Neck and Triscombe Combe – a trip to the Quantocks for a 6 mile ramble to see the English landscape at it’s very best (early departure at 08.30)
Lunch at the Blue Ball Inn, Triscombe
August 17th Trentishoe Down and Heddon’s Mouth Cleave – this 7 mile walk crosses lofty Trentishoe Down and follows the spectacular coast before encountering the sessile oak woodlands of the Heddon Valley
Lunch at Hunters Inn, Heddon Valley
August 24th Parracombe and Challacombe Commons – an 8 mile walk across the wide, high, open country near the western fringes of the old, wild Exmoor
Lunch at The Fox and Goose Parracombe
Sept 14th Winsford Hill – a 7 mile walk from the prettiest village in Exmoor to the summit of the hill at 1,400 feet and a descent along the ridge of the Punchbowl.
Lunch at The Royal Oak Hotel, Winsford
Sept 28th Little and Great Hangman – a stiff ascent out of Combe Martin on this 5 mile walk is rewarded by the spectacular views from this majestic rocky coastline.
Lunch at the Pack o’Cards Inn
Oct 12th Roadford Lake and Germansweek – the lake is the largest area of inland water in the south-west and this 5 mile walk explores it’s remote hinterland.
Lunch at the Pint and Post, St Giles on the Heath
Oct 26th Hawkridge and Anstey Common – a 6 mile gallop with a couple of steep climbs on the heights of Exmoor – the views are superb
Lunch at The London Inn, Molland
Nov 9th The Foreland and Countisbury Common – nearly 7 miles of the finest coastal scenery in North Devon before climbing the extremely steep Old Burrow Hill to whet the appetite for
Lunch at The Blue Ball Inn, Countisbury
Nov 23rd Dulverton – sparkling rivers, lovely woodlands, open moorlands and memorable views – a short 4 mile ramble as an appetiser for
Lunch at Woods Restaurant and Barx
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Any suggestions for 2018 greatly appreciated
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Photos from past memorable walks
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