Devon County Council

Ernest Basset was an Okehampton man and a lover of Dartmoor.  He appreciated it in all its moods, but also realised that it had its dangers.  As a result, in 1971 he became a founder member of the Dartmoor Rescue Group, a body of volunteers for whom many have had cause to give thanks.

He also encouraged people to visit and appreciate the moor and its surroundings and as such devised three fairly easy walks based on Okehampton as an introduction to the area’s attractions.  He was an active member of the Okehampton Rotary Club and, when he died, the Club dedicated the walks to him as a memorial, naming them the Ernest Bassett Walks.  The walks are 2.5, 3 and 4 miles in length; this is the 3 mile walk slightly lengthened at the Okehampton end to take in more of the town centre.

Fact File

Okehampton is served by numerous bus routes, including regular services to and from Exeter (X9, X10) and Barnstaple, Bideford, Tavistock and Plymouth (86).  For details contact Traveline on 0870 608 2 608 or visit www.traveline.org.uk. On summer Sundays Okehampton may be reached by train from Exeter.  In addition, Okehampton is the base of the Dartmoor Railway to Meldon and Samfrod Courtenay.  This operates daily in August, five days a week in June, July and September, and at weekends from October to April.  Some services are steam operated.  There are also services at Christmas and Easter.  For details of Okehampton train services telephone 01837 55637. Car parking is available in the town centre and at Okehampton Station. Walk Length: 5.5km/3.5 miles. One steady climb; 2 stiles. OS Maps: Explorer (1;25,000) no. 113 Okehampton or no. OL28 Dartmoor Landranger (1;50,000) no. 191 Okehampton and North Dartmoor Facilities: Okehampton (all facilities); Okehampton Station (refreshments, toilets and information).

The Walk

The walk is described as starting in Okehampton town centre.  A good alternative base is Okehampton Station.  (If starting there, go to the paragraph marked * below).

From the traffic lights in the town centre walk along George Street, next to the White Hart.  Pass the entrance to Simmons Park.  (If you started your walk at the station, the route emerges from the park and continues from here).

Follow the road round to the left past the entrance to the school, then take the footpath on the right next to the waterwheel.

The waterwheel helped to power Town Mills.  The mills were grist mills, for the grinding of corn, and were also used as a woollen mill when Okehampton was important as a wool centre.

At the top of the steps turn right, then take the right hand of the roads ahead, past the blue school sign.  Go through the wooden gate at the end and onto the footpath.  Keep on this path ahead, over a field and then through pleasant woodland.

The stream alongside the path is the leat used to power Town Mills.  It flows out of the East Okement River, which is reached at the end of the woodland path.

Go through the gate at the end and turn right at the junction.

Note the pawprint waymark on the post.  This is the waymark for the Tarka Trail, which this part of the walk follows.  This Trail follows the journey through Devon of Tarka the Otter in the book of that name.

Continue underneath the viaduct then over the bridge across the East Okement River.

This is Fatherford.  The stone viaduct carried the main line of the London and South Western Railway between Waterloo and Plymouth.  It now only carries trains taking stone from the quarries at Meldon, the Dartmoor Railway runs between Okehampton and Samford Courtney and a summer Sunday service between Exeter and Okehampton.  Next to it is the modern viaduct carrying the A30 Okehampton by-pass, built in the late 1980’s.

Over the bridge turn left alongside the East Okement and continue on the path ahead, parallel to the river.

The East Okement rises high on Dartmoor and joins the West Okement in Okehampton before flowing north to meet the River Torridge.

This is a very attractive valley with its fast flowing river lined by trees.  The path uses some large stepping stones alongside the river to keep walkers dry shod at times of high water, then reaches a footbridge.  Do not cross the bridge but take the path on the right, next to the stream.

This is Moor Brook, a tributary of the East Okement.  The path climbs alongside the brook, small waterfalls alternating with still pools.

The path rises through woodland next to the brook, then climbs away and bears right across more open, bracken-covered land.  It emerges on open moorland next to a fence. Follow this fence round to the left.

Stunning views are obtained from here to the right, across the centre of Devon. On a clear day the edge of Exmoor can be seen.

Now bear away from the fence to the right, heading for the obvious high point ahead.

This is East Hill.  The stone pillar marks the height of 1152 feet/349m, although the very highest point is one metre higher.  Okehampton is now visible to the right almost as an aerial view.  Ahead and left is the Okehampton Army Camp and, on the skyline beyond, Yes Tor and High Willhays.  These are the highest points in England south of the Peak District.

Continue ahead off the hill to descend to a track and follow this over a cattle grid to a road.  Turn right; when the road turns left go straight ahead, through the left hand of two gates.  Follow the wall, then keep to the grassy track which continues ahead and left.

If you walk this path in the spring there will be a carpet of bluebells over this field.

Turn right at the bottom, then go left on the footbridge over the A30.  Cross the stile on the far side.  At the bottom of the hill turn left through the woods.  Continue to the road then turn right.  Walk under the railway bridge to the entrance to Okehampton Station on the right.  Stop off here for refreshments or toilets.  To continue on the walk, carry on down the hill.

* If starting at Okehampton Station go to the entrance gate then walk down the hill.

Approximately 100m down the hill turn right down the footpath signposted “Town Centre via Simmons Park”.  At the junction go down the steps, signposted “Town Centre via Riverside”.  At the next junction go right again, still signposted “via Riverside”.  On reaching the bottom turn sharp left, alongside the river and keeping it to your right.

This is Simmons Park.  It was given to the town by local man Sidney Simmons in 1907.  Much of the park was formerly semi-moorland and some of the modern landscape reflects this.

Continuing along the river, notice the Swiss-style Chalet Treloar, named after the Lord Mayor of London who conducted the park opening.

Continue on the tarmac path parallel to the East Okement River until it leaves the park.  Outside the park turn left to return to the town centre.  (If your walk started at the Station, turn right and follow the instructions from the third paragraph above).

Further Information

Information on the Tarka Trail and other walking routes in Devon is available from www.discoverdevon.com and the Discover Devon Holiday Line 0870 608 5531 - quote DP101 for a Tarka Trail Information Leaflet or DP311 for Discover Devon Walking –  A complete guide to walking trails in Devon (free publications).  They can also be ordered from Discover Devon Information Service, Westacott Rd, Barnstaple, EX32 8AW quoting references above.

Printer Friendly Version of Walk (769KB - pdf help)