Walk 2

With the Village Hall in front of you proceed down Hayfield Lane to the left and continue on this road past the farm buildings and out into the open countryside. The village square formerly boasted the village shop, post office and village bake house. The latter was in operation until the 1980’s and had a reputation for producing the best bread in the area.

As you walk along the lane keep an eye out for the variety of different hedge species that date these hedges and make the flora and fauna all the more interesting. Soon you will drop down a steep hill passing a small cottage on your left and then over a stream known as Hole brook which is one of two that used to feed the Mill at Coxhall Mill. By the bridge see if you can spot spindle bushes that have a wonderful pink berry in the late Summer/Autumn. Listen out for the distinctive sound of the Yellowhammer that sounds like “ a little bit of bread and no cheese”.

Continue along this road past Lower Narracott, a cottage dating back to medieval times, over another stream and then prepare for a steep climb past Coxwell Farm and Coxwell Green cottage. As you round the corner at the top of the hill you realise that the climb affords a well earned view and it’s worth pondering at the field gates to take in the views in all directions. Continue on to the next sharp corner and take the footpath signposted into the field on the right. Continue along the edge of the field with the hedge to your left and aim for the metal gate next to a pond. The path then continues through a narrow grassy lane, which can be a bit muddy in winter, before emerging onto a track at the bottom.

Go left through the gate and keeping the hedge to your right, follow it around until you come to a gate (way marked). Pass through the gate and continue along the edge of the field keeping the hedge on your right, pass a field gate and then just before you reach the farm buildings (Tor Down Farm) turn right through a kissing gate. Continue diagonally across the field towards the stream at the bottom left hand corner, where you will see a large field and kissing gate which gives access on to the County Road near Chattafin Farm. Turn right go over the bridge and follow the lane uphill and back towards Exbourne. As you reach the village go straight on up the hill at the T junction keeping the Methodist Chapel to your left and return to the Village Hall.