Synopsis: This was a walk from home involving no forms of travel beyond those of walking boots. I passed through Mincinglake Valley Park to Stoke Woods, then dropped down to the River Exe.
I hadn’t planned a walk for today, so I had to do this during the morning, hence I didn’t set out on my walk until midday. The idea for this walk stemmed from the previous weekend when I skirted around part of Stoke Woods on a bicycle ride that took me to Stoke Canon and Brampford Speke. Part of my reason for going today was to explore what paths disect the woods, as I could see a number on the Ordnance Survey map.
The route I took from home was to follow the designated Green Walk route which took me through Hamlin Park and Mincinglake Valley Park. This is a picturesque route I walked earlier in the year when I did the whole of the Green Walk. Once I got to the top of Stoke Woods I stopped and had some lunch at a place I used on my previous walk. It affords a lovely view out across the valley. The sun was shining and it was very pleasant. There’s a small dilapidated cottage standing nearby. It would make a lovely location for a house, but needs knocking down and rebuilding.
Site of ancient Roman look out stationThere is an ancient site of a Roman Look-out fortification near to my walk route. It’s shown on the map, and I was looking out for it. I did get to see it from the path, although it’s not possible to approach it. It seems that earth works are all that remains of what was once there. The Romans certainly picked an excellent location for a look-out, as you can see for miles around from this site. I guess one had to watch for marauding barbarians then, much as you do today.
View out to Stoke Canon
From here I entered Stoke Woods proper, near to a car park for walkers. The path I followed was the public right of way, which dropped steeply down onto one of the way-marked routes. As previously mentioned, I was on the lookout for paths shown on the map, but these proved to be mostly imaginary. There was no sight of them on the ground, with most ways far to overgrown to venture from the main way-marked track, but this proved a pleasant and easy walk.
River Exe from Stoke WoodsAt one point there is a notice board at a viewpoint from which you look out over the valley of the River Exe across to the large mansion house of Pynes on the opposite hill. Apparently Pynes, and the nearby cottage of Woodrow Barton, were inspiration for Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, which it is said is based upon the nearby village of Upton Pyne. Now, how come I didn’t know that when it was right on my doorstep? On The Republic of Pemberley blog there's an Austen gazetteer in which Sense and Sensibility references to Exeter can be found.
River Exe with Stoke Woods in the background
After a week in the office, today’s fresh air and exercise was just what I needed, and I got plenty of both. The sun shone, the day was warm, and was a fine example of how lovely a day can be had in October. The trees are just beginning to turn and leaves are falling, but it felt like a summer’s day.
Walk Statistics:
Total Distance: 13 miles
Moving Time: 4hrs 43min
Stopped Time: 1hr 04min
Total Ascent: 381 metres
Maximum Elevation: 149 metres
Buses: None
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