Synopsis: A relatively short walk, but one with lots of variety: countryside, forests, seaside and gardens. The church of Uplyme provided an interesting diversion. Fishermen seen unloading their catch at Lyme Regis.
I caught the X53 bus from Sandygate Roundabout at about 9am. This is a bus operated by First as there are no Stagecoach buses that run between Exeter and Lyme Regis. My plan was to first bus to Lyme Regis and from there then hop on another bus for the short twelve minute journey to Axminster. This worked really well, with me being out walking by 11am.
Axminster - street market
The first thing I came across on stepping off the bus was a street market taking place in Trinity Square, Axminster. This was not a big affair, but it was quite lively all the same. The wafting smell of pasties emanating from a bakery stall were quite tempting, but I resisted the urge to buy.
Roe deer watch me go by
My path took me out the back of Axminster behind housing, it not being long before I found myself in rolling pastures of typical Devon countryside. Curious lambs came to see who it was that was crossing their fields. Everything looked lush and beautiful in the strong sun. I had seen some deer travelling by bus to Lyme Regis, and saw these two deer whilst out walking (photographed using digital zoom on my little compact camera).
Path through the forest
It wasn’t long before I was starting to climb up to heath land on the edge of a forest. Up here I could feel the full effects of the strong cold wind that was blowing, and was grateful for the shelter afforded by the trees once my way took me into the forest. I do like forest walking, as the air has that fresh, clean pine smell to it. It was in the forest that I chose to stop to eat my lunch.
Uplyme Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul - Jacobean 'polygonal' pulpit
I walked further into the forest, it not being long before my path began to drop towards the valley in which the River Lim runs. I followed the river for a while, and then, upon entering Uplyme, detoured up to the parish church, and was glad I did. The church has a Saxon font, which I would have missed if I hadn’t read an information placard hanging from a pew end. Perhaps a little unprepossessing, but an object so ancient is something few churches in Devon, or England for that matter, can lay claim to. The church also has Jacobean pulpit the like of which I’d not seen before. I find it’s always worth looking into churches, as there is often things of interest to be found in them.
Uplyme Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul
I also noted a window in Uplyme parish church. It has the symbol of the five-petal rose in it, and also another (photo right) that shows the Star of David. Why did that strike me? Well, I’ve just finished reading The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, and if you know that book, you’ll know to what I refer; a couple of sample book extracts below:
p.271:- [Sophie Nevue]: She paused, closing the box lid and eyeing the five-petal Rose inlaid on it. Something was bothering her. “Did you say earlier that the Rose is a symbol for the Grail?”
[Robert Langdon]: “Exactly. In Priory symbolism, the Rose and the Grail are synonymous.” [see: Dynasty of the Holy Grail: Mormonism's Sacred Bloodline]
p.331:- [Sir Leigh Teabing]: “Mary Magdalene is here,” Teabing said, pointing near the top of the genealogy.
[Sophie Nevue): Sophie was suprised. “She was of the House of Benjamin?”
[Sir Leigh Teabing]: “Indeed,” Teabing said. “Mary Magdalene was of royal descent.”
p.332:- [Sir Leigh Teabing]: “As you know, the Book of Matthew tells us that Jesus was of the House of David. [see: Saint Anne] A descendant of King Solomon – King of the Jews. By marrying into the powerful House of Benjamin, Jesus fused two royal bloodlines, creating a potent political union with the potential of making a legitimate claim to the throne and restoring the line of kings as it was under Solomon.”
Lyme Regis - Old Town Mill
From the parish church of Uplyme I descended into the village to once again rejoin the course of the River Lim. On entering Lyme Regis I find there is an old mill that I read on a notice board had been restored. It has been converted into a hydroelectric power station. The Town Mill is said to have a working flour mill. The mill was closed today, but is something I should like to investigate on another visit to Lyme Regis.
Lyme Regis - the harbour
I walked towards the Cobb, something that one really has to do on any visit to Lyme. The fishermen were landing their catches in the harbour, which was sending the seagulls into a wild frenzy. The otherwise quiet calm of the harbour waters belied the fact that on the seaward side there was quite a swell. I don’t think fishing would ever have been something for me, despite the attraction of working with primitive nature in the raw like this.
All in all, a walk of surprising variety considering it was of a relatively short distance. This walk is however at the furthest reach of day walking by bus from Exeter. There are limits to public transport.
Walk Statistics:
Total Distance: 7.3 miles
Moving Time: 2hrs 52min
Stopped Time: 33min
Total Ascent: 365 metres
Maximum Elevation: 210 metres
Buses: X53 & 31 (First-Day ticket costing £6.50)
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