Around Chawleigh, Affeton and Cheldon (6 hours)

The 9.05 a.m. Turner's bus from Chulmleigh stops at The Earl of Portsmouth, Chawleigh (please remember to check times of buses beforehand).

From here take the Cheldon road to the first bend, then the signed footpath right over a stile and follow the hedge down to the valley bottom. Cross the stream and up the opposite bank, following marker posts to a stile. Go over this and cross the field, following the line of electricity overhead cables to a gate. Through this gate and follow the track between hedges to a road and turn left. This road bends a lot and after the farm buildings "Sowdens Leigh and the Hardings Leigh" there is a stile on a corner. Pass this stile, down the lane and over a bridge. In 100 yards there is another road bridge (Leigh Bridge). Turn right (footpath signed). Follow the river over 2 stiles (w/m) and through a gateless gap and then follow the line of five solitary trees to a stile and over this to a road. Turn right, cross bridge and walk up the hill.

After the trees have finished you will come to a signed footpath junction. Here turn left and cross stile. The track goes ahead, skirting the prehistoric settlement (11.35 a.m.) This track reaches a stile and footpath sign. Cross the field in the direction of the sign to a tall tree opposite. At the footpath sign turn right along the track, which after a right hand turn joins the road. Here turn left and follow the road to the hilltop. Here is a gate and footpath sign and on the right is a good view of Exmoor. Follow the fence, where it veers left to a farm access bear diagonally right to a stile, leading to the road at Horridge Moor Cottage (12.20 p.m.)

Turn left onto this B road and again left at Tween Moor Cross (Both Exmoor and Dartmoor are visible from here). This road is signed Affeton. Go along it going downhill. A road is signed to Worlington 1 mile right. You may consider West Worlington Church with its crooked spire and unique setting worth a visit - if you do so there is another road signed back to Affeton. Carry on downhill Affeton signed ¼ mile. The road then climbs past Affeton Mill.

Affeton Mill was part of the manor and ground corn until the early 1900's. Part of the leat is still visible near Worlington. Affeton village died in a 14th Century plague.

On the way upwards there is a good view of the restored 15th Century Gate Tower of Affeton Castle.

Shortly after turning left at the road junction the castle (private) is passed. (1.20 p.m.) Carry on walking along this quiet country lane to Cheldon. The church here is interesting but normally locked. At Cheldon turn left down the road signed Lapford (Note that Chulmleigh as signed is not the best way!) Go down this road until you reach just before the bridge, a footpath signed to the right which was used on the outward journey. Retrace the earlier route back to the road at Leigh Bridge and now turn right (2.25 p.m.). Shortly turn left and keep left (note the leat running behind the hedge.) This brings you to Stone Mill Cross. Before turning up the hill towards Chawleigh, look at Stone Mill which ceased grinding corn in the 1930's and is now being restored (private). The remains of the mill wheel can be seen on the left of the Royal Mail box. There has been a Mill on this site since the 15th Century.

Walk up the hill to Chawleigh (toilets and telephone) in time for the 3.13 p.m. bus to Chulmleigh (once again, please remember to check the bus times beforehand, just in case).

If there is time Chawleigh Church and School are of interest.