| Ah, take a whiff of that country air... | |
|  | | There are countryside views which ever way you look on this walk around Harberton |
| | A walk through the South Hams countryside near Harberton has lots to commend it - there's the views, the fresh air, the exercise of course, and (this is the clincher) the prospect of dinner at the village's 13th century inn to round the day off. |
| | | Harberton is a tiny village, tucked away amidst the rolling hills of the South Devon countryside, some three miles south-west of Totnes.
You get there via the A381 Totnes to Kingsbridge road, and Harberton is sign-posted as a right hand turn from Totnes (don't confuse it with Harbertonford, which is further along the A381).
Narrow, hedge-lined lanes take you into the village, and the first thing you see as you aproach Harberton is the village church.
Next to the church, is the 13th century Church House Inn, a long house which was built to house the workmen who were constructing the church.
 | | The historic Church House Inn and village church |
Park up here, and then start the four-and-a-half mile circular walk by doubling back on yourself and heading back down into the village.
At the crossroads, go straight on, turn right at the T-junction and then almost immediately left at the bus turning area.
Already, you're well and truly off the beaten track - with all the advantages and disadvantages that entails (more of which in a moment)...
About 150 yards on, you need to branch left, taking a track which is flanked by a hedge on one side and a wall on the other.
Be warned: this section can be very wet and muddy after rain, and it was at its squelchiest on the day of this particular walk!
 | | A stream winds its way on part of the route |
Eventually, you pass a farm on the right (we stopped to chat to some of the cows), and then turn right into a lane which takes you up a hill.
At the top of this hill, and down the other side, there are panoramic views of the surrounding countryside - and you can look across to Dartmoor in the distance.
There were lots of shades of green and red on view for as far as they eye could see, mixed with the sounds of birds - and, in the distance, a farm tractor...it really could only be Devon.
The track takes you down hill, past a farm on the left, and then on to a lane - from where you go straight on. Then, turn right at the junction which is signposted to Diptford and Avonwick.
Cross a stone bridge and then, after a distance, you fork right, and then right again at a gate marked "public footpath."
 | | Rolling hills around Harberton |
This takes you into fields, and there is a small stream which you can cross in parts. You then go through a series of gates and fields until you reach a stile taking you into a lane.
Turn left, go past East Leigh Farm on the right, and then take the track immediately right. After the stile here, you take the path straight ahead - it's marked "public footpath."
This path has walls either side, and it leads to yet another gate. Keep to the right of the next field, cross another stile - and then another, just before a house.
Follow the drive to a lane, and climb up the lane with the wood on your right. At the top of the climb, go right - and you'll be able to see the church from here.
Head into the village and back to the Church House Inn for a well earned drink and a bite to eat.
The walk takes around 90 minutes to two hours, and is hilly in parts. It is suitable for able-bodied, reasonably fit people.
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