West Anstey Common from Molland

Exmoor Walk

Maps

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL9	Sheet Map	1:25k	BUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL9	Digital Map	1:25k	BUY

Walk Route Description

Click image to see photo description.

Starting from Molland this Devon walk explores an area of high Exmoor moorland to the northwest of the village. The route follows paths and bridleways which for the most part are well signed and waymarked. After leaving Molland, with its interesting parish church, the walk climbs steadily onto the moors at Anstey Gate. After passing a memorial to rugby player Philip Hancock, the rote descends to the southern edge of the moors to follow fields paths and a country lane across pleasant countryside back to Molland.

A small parking area by St Mary's Church in Molland (grid ref. SS818284) is a convenient place to start. After parking, face the church and turn left. Continue past the London Inn and take the first lane on the right. Follow the lane as it bends right and continue ahead to a fingerpost which directs you have left across a field. Aim for the gap in the hedge and maintain direction across the next field to a small gate and Moor Lane. Cross the lane and enter the field opposite. The path initially goes half left before dropping into a valley. Cross the footbridge and continue up to Stonemoor Lane (grid ref. SS814290).

Take the narrow lane opposite and continue past Smallcombe Farm, cross a ford and enter open moorland. Follow the bridleway north-east. After a steady climb over moorland, the path veers east and continues to a road at Anstey Gate (grid ref. SS835298). Bear right across a cattle grid, following the road for 500 metres to reach the Memorial, which lies off the road to your left. Return to the road and continue east for 100 metres to pass a boundary stone also on your left (grid ref. SS840296).

Turn off the road and walk half left on a grassy path that descends south-east to a lane (grid ref. SS844289). Turn right along the lane for just under two kilometres to reach the steep sided valley of Anstey Combe on the right (grid ref. SS827294). Continue ahead for a further 600 metres and turn left onto a bridleway through a gate (grid ref. SS821291). Follow the bridleway south to join a road. Turn right (signed to Molland). Follow the road around a left-hand bend and turn right up steps to join a footpath (grid ref. SS818283). After a short steep ascent, the path continues across three fields (with hedge right) to reach Latchgate Cross. Take the lane opposite to Molland.

Walk GradingMore Exmoor Walks

Other walks nearby

Walk 1860	The River Barle and Withypool from Tarr Steps	easy/mod	7.5 miles
Walk 1669	Anstey Gate & Hawkridge from Tarr Steps	moderate	8.2 miles
Walk 2451	Withypool & Barle Valley	easy/mod	6.0 miles
Walk 1222	Winsford Hill & the Allotment	moderate	6.0 miles
Walk 3386	Barle Valley & Cow Castle from Simonsbath	easy/mod	6.4 miles
Walk 1750	Dunkery Beacon (short ascent)	easy/mod	2.5 miles
Walk 1727	Shallowford, Hoar Oak Tree & The Chains	moderate	11.7 miles
Walk 2387	Pinkery Pond Circular	easy/mod	5.8 miles
Walk 1220	Dunkery Beacon	moderate	8.0 miles
Walk 1263	The Doone Valley	moderate	8.5 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

No suggestions for this area.