Branscombe historic walk
Discover the history of the beautiful village of Branscombe on this short circular walk, taking in a watermill and orchards, with links to a little-known Welsh saint and Queen Victoria's wedding, and an option to detour to the beach.
Total steps: 5
Total steps: 5
Start point
Branscombe National Trust car park, Branscombe, near Seaton, Devon EX12 3DB. Grid ref: SY197886
Step 1
From the car park carefully cross the road and go through the gate opposite, passing the information point and some toilets. Follow the path through the orchard and past the Old Bakery tea-room. Cross over a field and walk along beside the millstream, known locally as a leat. The orchard on your right hand side is Branscombe's Millennium Orchard.
Step 2
At the far side of the leat field, you'll find the National Trust's Manor Mill, a working watermill. Check the website for up-to-date opening times for the Mill. Turn right at Manor Mill and head up the hill, along a farm track and then through the fields. Be careful here, it's very steep and can get slippery in wet or cold weather. Go up the flight of steps until you reach a bridle path.
Step 3
Turn right and follow the bridlepath through the woods. If you want a longer walk, you can turn left here to go to the coast and beach.
Step 4
Turn down the hill and carry on carefully down another steep slope until you reach the church.
Step 5
Branscombe church is a fine example of 14th-century architecture. After the church, walk down the road past a row of thatched cottages. When you get to the end of the cottages, turn left and walk up the small lane until you reach Branscombe school. We built a new path from the school to the car park in 2009, so that young children didn't have to walk up the road. Follow the path back to the car park to complete your walk.
End point
Branscombe National Trust car park, Branscombe, near Seaton, Devon EX12 3DB. Grid ref: SY197886
Trail map
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