Harberton and Dorsley Barton
A circular walking route from Harberton on quiet lanes and footpaths, via Tristford Reservoir, passing Dorsley Barton, along Jackman’s Lane, to Peak Cross and back.
Distance 3.9 miles/6.3 km. Total ascent 663ft/202m.
This walk can be done as a continuation of Harberton Walks No.2 via Belsford and Watery Lane, (total combined distancce 4.7 miles/7.5km).
1. From Harberton village, head north up Tristford Road, straight on at Gill’s Cross, continuing more steeply uphill after West Lodge then passing magnificent beeches on your right. There are occasional distant vistas both left and right before you reach the reservoir. As the lane starts to gently descend, and after a bend, you see the top end of Watery Lane on your left.
2. Go over to the prominent Devon County Council fingerpost on your right and enter the field over stiles both ancient and modern. The fingerpost correctly points to your next objective – another post and stile on the far side of the field. Although the right of way is a straight line, when there are crops in the field the farmer may have created a preferred curving route to the far stile which we should follow. Over the far stile turn left and follow the ‘County Road’ green lane. In spring there are impressive wildflower arrays along the south-facing banks. At the boggy left-hand bend look through a gate on the right for the gentle coombe where springs mark the source of the Harberton stream. Shortly after this left-hander, at the crest of a gentle rise, is a footpath sign and stile on your right. Here, your way across the next two fields is clearly marked and well trodden. What looks like a new hedge bank is under construction here. (If there are cattle in the field and you don’t fancy that, carry on the green lane and turn right onto Blakemore Level as far as the next junction).
3. Emerging from the stile onto Blakemore Level, turn right and immediately left down the tarmac track towards Dorsley Barton where very fine beeches and oaks partially hide the view over fields to distant Dartmoor. At the hairpin bend, carry straight on down the ‘Unmetalled Road’; a lovely old woodland way. Ignore the footpath sign, appearing on your left, and continue gently downhill between banks of wildflowers, ferns and ivy.
4. At the junction take the right turn steeply up on a bridleway, the lower section of Jackman’s Lane, now part of the ‘Franklin Trail’. It forms the limit of the Harberton Parish boundary. (It’s just over a mile from here to The Rotherfold, and a very different way to walk into town from Harberton). As you clamber uphill on this deeply sunken way beside ancient trees lining the worn track there is a sense of wonder from treading the same earth as laboured footsteps and hooves from many centuries past - until the modern housing development appears lower left. Continue uphill amidst a springtime abundance of wild garlic. As the climb slackens, a narrow gap in the hedge opens out to 180 degree vistas and distant views of Totnes Castle and St Mary's Church tower. Carry on gently uphill with more unhindered open views.
5. At the caravan community, henhouse, vegetable garden etc, turn left slightly uphill onto Blakemore Level and after about 100 metres, where the road bends left, enter the upper section of ancient Jackman’s Lane on your right. There is a soggy dip a few hundred metres ahead, where after wet weather you may have to clamber onto the right-hand bank to get past the water. Just before this, on your left, a clear winner of the ‘unexpected item in the hedgerow competition’ is a vitreous enamel toilet pedestal! Otherwise there are splendid views here to the west - gentle pastureland, deep red earth and tree-lined hedgerows.
6. At the crossroads, Cholwell Cross, there should be an old boundary stone but it disappeared some years ago. There is the option of turning right here to return more directly to Harberton village via Lower Cholwell and Dark Lane. Unless there’s been recent heavy rain we’re crossing over this junction on the final stretch of Jackman's Lane. Pass by on your left five wind-ravaged east-leaning hedgerow oaks. Past the ruin of an old brick pump house on the left now almost obscured by ivy, there's a partly damaged but still rather graceful Monterey Pine. Warning: this part of route is often a wading job, but the bank-to-bank quagmire does recede after a dry spell.
7. Reaching the A381 at Peak Cross marks the end of soft ground underfoot. Take care with the fast traffic coming towards you, maybe wait till there is a gap before taking the few paces to the safety of the ‘no entry’ on your right. The small former quarry you immediately pass has reverted to nature with sycamore, beech and chestnut. Heading along and down the lane to Harberton the 'wrong way' for this final kilometre, Harbertonians can view their village afresh. After about 400 metres, step into the gated entrance on your right to spot village scenery from a new perspective. Mostly oaks line this upper section of the lane. Further on by Bridge Farm take a look at Dry Bridge, which you can guess has no water, but looking down there in springtime there’s a river of abundant wild garlic. Later crossing the Harberton stream, sometimes called the Englebourne stream, whose origin you spotted earlier in the walk, you’re back at the start.
May 2020