NORTH BOVEY VILLAGE

A short stroll around North Bovey village for about 3/4 mile. Easy-going, one hill. Time allowed - about half an hour.

1) Departing from Moorland View’s garden entrance (with the white door), turn left and walk diagonally across the village green towards the Ring of Bells pub. With the pub on your left and the phone box on your right, walk down the hill on the tarmac lane. Some charming cottages border this lane which is known as Lower Hill.  The slope flattens out and the track continues through a gate, (often open), and then opens out by the River Bovey.

2) This beautiful spot is enjoyed by children, families, riders and walkers at all times of the year. There are three ways to cross the river here: a) paddle through (wellies or bare feet recommended!)  b) use the stepping stones  c) cross by the footbridge.

Having arrived on the right bank of the river, you will see a stony lane leading away from the river. Take this lane and within a few hundred metres you will come to a gate on to the road, where you turn right and cross the river again, this time on an 18th Century stone bridge.

3) Over the bridge, turn sharp left along ‘Two Waters Lane’, a quiet road parallel to the river where you might be lucky enough to see a dipper. This little bird is dark brown with a white bib and tends to fly up the course of the river just above the water. Alternatively, it will stand on a rock, bobbing and curtseying. It is only found on the western side of the British Isles.

4) After about 300 metres you will come to a T junction with a beautiful and much older stone bridge, on the left. Look over this bridge for another chance of seeing a dipper. The long white house you can see here used to be a mill in former days. Turn right and, as the road bends to the left, you will see a narrow path leading uphill and between high banks of overhanging trees. Take this church path, at the end of which, is a gate into the churchyard of the lovely old church of St. John’s. It is beautiful inside and well worth a look, usually being unlocked during daylight hours. It boasts some medieval glass in one window and a 15th Century oak screen. Continue through the churchyard to the lich gate, with its war memorial boards. Once through here you will be facing the village green and now it is just a short walk across the village green to get to the cottage.