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Main Boards => Long Distance Walks => Topic started by: rural roamer on 18:25:03, 28/03/19

Title: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 18:25:03, 28/03/19
So we’ve finally decided that the Two Moors Way will be our LDW this year.  It will either be during the last 2 weeks of June or sometime in May depending on accommodation availability ( as long as we haven’t already left if too late). The new Cicerone guidebook has just arrived.  I know there are a few people on here who live down that way and theres a few posts from people who have walked it, so any tips would be welcome.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: Jac on 23:15:39, 28/03/19

Yep, I live 'down that way' but perhaps for that reason I've never actually walked it.
After a great weekend camping at t'other end (Exmoor) it occurred to me that I should. so will watch this thread with interest.

Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 09:05:30, 29/03/19
I live within spitting distance of the central section and have walked a fair bit of the Dartmoor, Mid Devon and Exmoor sections.  First tip - https://twomoorsway.org/ (https://twomoorsway.org/).  What do you want to know?
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: Mick wmexile on 15:48:22, 29/03/19


"So we’ve finally decided that the Two Moors Way will be our LDW this year."


Great minds and all that, that's my pick for this year, 6 days during second week of June. As usual I'll be looking forward to it, got to start some serious fitness training done. Hope you enjoy your selected walk  O0
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 15:40:38, 02/04/19
Mick - didn’t we do the Pennine Way just after you back in 2016?  O0


Jac - isn’t that often the case, you forget what’s in your own backyard.



ninthace - I’m sure we’ll have questions as we get on with our planning.  I’ve looked at the two moors website, looks very useful though some of the B&Bs have closed.  Not having walked on either Dartmoor or Exmoor before, do you know how it compares with moors further north? Such as on the Pennine Way? Does it get as boggy? We ‘ve more or less decided on our stopovers, as long as we can find accommodation:-
Wembury, Ivybridge, Holne or Scorriton, Corndon, Coleford, Black Dog, West Ansty, Simonsbath, Lynmouth. 
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 18:48:27, 02/04/19
ninthace - I’m sure we’ll have questions as we get on with our planning.  I’ve looked at the two moors website, looks very useful though some of the B&Bs have closed.  Not having walked on either Dartmoor or Exmoor before, do you know how it compares with moors further north? Such as on the Pennine Way? Does it get as boggy? We ‘ve more or less decided on our stopovers, as long as we can find accommodation:-
Wembury, Ivybridge, Holne or Scorriton, Corndon, Coleford, Black Dog, West Ansty, Simonsbath, Lynmouth.


Don't recall the PW sections I have walked as being especially boggy, more a bit soggy and the worst parts have been more manicured than the TMW. The bogginess of the TMW is very weather related, I have paddled by the Barle and equally I have seen it dusty.  There are soggy bits but nothing to get excited about especially in "summer", you can often detour round them.  The Mid Devon section may introduce you to our brand of mud - it is greasy rather than clingy though.
The way marking is a bit variable but you should have no problem if you are competent with a map or better still a gps,
I have never seen the pub in Black Dog open but I have never passed it in the evening.  There is nowhere else to eat there.  The Thelbridge Inn and the Mitre Inn at Witheridge do food.  I have a friend who does B&B for TMW walkers near Witheridge who will normally give you a lift 2 and from the TMW.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: Snowman on 01:56:30, 07/04/19
The Two Moors' Way originally ran from Ivybridge and not Wembury, so I can't comment on those.   I set off as soon as I got to Ivybridge so no accommodation there either.   I stayed at the Church House Inn at Holne, however I understand it's recently reopened under new management so you may want to call them.   Lovely Inn though so I do recommend it if it's doing accommodation.   


However West Anstey?   Stongly suggest you find if there's any accommodation, as there wasn't when we went (ok it was about 16 years ago).   Not even a pub.   We ended up camping there (someone kindly offered to let us use a field adjoining their property).   However after an hour next morning we arrived at Hawkridge and were immediately greeted by a sign for a nearby B&B.   


Surprised you haven't gone for Chagford after Holne as there's plenty of accommodation there out of school hols.


We did have issues when we got to Simonsbath, but that was because of new ownership.   I would expect that the issue is well in the past now.


As to terrain, I walked up Hamel Down and Grimspound a couple of weeks ago and the going was fine.   It's west Dartmoor that has the difficult terrain and also the army ranges which I believe is why the Way takes an eastern route and I don't recall anything tricky over Exmoor.


Anything specific you'd like to know?



Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: Snowman on 02:12:30, 07/04/19
One point I should make.   After Grimspound the Way goes to the north of the Warren House Inn, which you would have seen in the distance from Hamel Down as it's literally in the middle of nowhere.   I never understood that and took the path that goes directly to the inn.   If you leave Holne earlyish, the Warren House is a perfect lunchtime stopover.


However to rejoin the path, note that the map to the west of the road is open moorland so for navigation purposes it's important to get to the right car park to the north of the inn.   It's the car park that has a standing stone and not the one you can see from the pub.   I know this because I got it wrong after a few pints of excellent ale.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 07:29:45, 07/04/19
I was in Holne  last week. The pub was closed and is up to let.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 08:55:49, 07/04/19
Thanks for your input ninthace and Snowman. We realise that we may have to change the route depending on accommodation. Just trying to even the days out though I know thats not always possible. We’ve discovered that Church House Inn is closed (though website says new owners coming soon) and looking at Scoriton now. There’s a couple of farms in the West Anstey area that do B&B.

Ninthace - will bear your friend in mind for a B&B. Mid Devon brand of mud!?  ;D Thats obviously different to our Suffolk brand of mud, which is clay. BlackDog Inn seems to do B&B though we haven’t tried to contact them yet.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: Jac on 09:00:24, 07/04/19
I was in Holne  last week. The pub was closed and is up to let.

:( that's sad. Times really have changed.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: Snowman on 09:58:28, 07/04/19
It is sad.   I even used to use it when I had business trips to Plymouth.   A bit of a drive in the morning but the Inn is so good it was worthwhile.


It was only a week or so ago that I read it was reopening in one of the local rags, so perhaps the website information is accurate.   I hope so as I was going to take the kids on a 'mini trek' from Ivybridge to Holne (with overnight camp) during the summer holidays and I was looking forward to ending it with a few pints at the Church House Inn.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 11:26:28, 07/04/19
It is sad.   I even used to use it when I had business trips to Plymouth.   A bit of a drive in the morning but the Inn is so good it was worthwhile.


It was only a week or so ago that I read it was reopening in one of the local rags, so perhaps the website information is accurate.   I hope so as I was going to take the kids on a 'mini trek' from Ivybridge to Holne (with overnight camp) during the summer holidays and I was looking forward to ending it with a few pints at the Church House Inn.
It was a disappointment to me too.  I had it planned as an end of walk stop - had to go to the Tavistock Inn in Poundsgate instead.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 18:24:28, 25/04/19

  I have a friend who does B&B for TMW walkers near Witheridge who will normally give you a lift 2 and from the TMW.


Ninthace - due to lack of accommodation in certain areas we may now be staying in Witheridge and adding an extra days walking so could you possibly post your friends details or PM me? Thanks!
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 18:40:51, 25/04/19

Ninthace - due to lack of accommodation in certain areas we may now be staying in Witheridge and adding an extra days walking so could you possibly post your friends details or PM me? Thanks!
PM sent.  The Mitre Pub in Witheridge also does rooms.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 13:01:40, 08/05/19
Thanks for the advice. We’ve now booked all the B&Bs except Lynton, but there’s plenty still free there. Just got to book the luggage transfers and work out logistics of getting there etc.  We briefly considered train but it’s not cheap from Suffolk, so we will probably drive and park in Plymouth and get the bus to Wembury ready to start the next day.  That saves us time the day after we finish, which will involve bus to Barnstaple, then train to Exeter and then Plymouth, plus driving home!  We added an extra day as we couldn’t find accommodation in Corndon or Coleford. We have a long day from West Anstey to Simonsbath but hopefully as that’s near the end we’ll be broken in by then! I managed the long day from Dufton to Alston on the Pennine Way.
Our schedule:-


Monday 17 June Wembury, Seahorses B&B
Ivybridge, Cadleigh Manor
Scorriton, Tradesmans Arms
Lower Hookner Barn (offroute)
Drewsteignton, Burrow Farm (offroute)
Morchard Road, DevonshireDumpling
Witheridge, Mitre Inn
West Anstey, Partridge Arms Farm
Simonsbath, Exmoor Forest Inn
Lynmouth finish 26 June


There was mention earlier of the Church House Inn in Holne. I found a website with contact details that suggested it was reopening soon. So I emailed them and got a reply from the owner saying it was under new management and would definitely be open and doing B&B then. However, I wasn’t contacted by the new tenants as he had suggested so we decided to book elsewhere.

Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: sussamb on 17:55:07, 21/05/19
In case you're not aware there is (or was) a bus from Barnstaple to Plymouth that goes over Dartmoor so great views  O0
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 18:11:38, 21/05/19
I don't think there is now sussamb.  Or if there is my hubby hasn't found it, as he was responsible for booking transport back to our car! It's Lynton to Barnstaple by bus, then train to Exeter, train to Plymouth and bus to Wembury.  We have now decided to park our car in Exeter rather than travel any further, so it's not so much travelling on the day we return home.  So we will be doing half the journey on the day we arrive now. 
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 18:12:30, 21/05/19
a bus from Barnstaple to Plymouth that goes over Dartmoor so great views  O0


We're hoping to get great views on the walk!  ;D
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: sussamb on 20:45:37, 21/05/19
I'm sure you will, it was my 'backyard' until I moved away to uni and then the Army  O0
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 20:54:43, 21/05/19
I'm sure you will, it was my 'backyard' until I moved away to uni and then the Army  O0
My backyard now  :)
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: sussamb on 22:12:00, 21/05/19
 O0
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 12:59:25, 14/06/19
We start this on Tuesday, so as we’ve already had more rain than we need in June it can stop now!


Just an update as it was mentioned in earlier posts. The Church House Inn in Holne is re-opening on 21 June. Lucky we didn’t rely on it opening sooner as they had assured us it would be. We are now staying in Scorriton instead on 19 June! Looks like it is doing B&B and food.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 20:56:44, 20/06/19
That’s the first three days completed. We’re staying tonight in Lower Hookner which is over a mile off the main route but on the alternative wet weather route, (but we decided Widecombe was too close and Chagford too far.) Though the worst underfoot so far was a boggy field on the wet weather route! Up on Dartmoor it’s been fine underfoot, just a bit squelchy in places. It’s actually been worse down below with mud and wet vegetation. We’ve probably been pretty lucky with the weather, drizzle most of the first morning; yesterday the rain stopped and mist lifted soon after 10 as we climbed onto the moor and we had great views all day and no more rain. We arrived at Scoriton and they said it had rained there til 3. Today was one of those days when theres a heavy shower for 10-20 mins then dry for about an hour, then rain again etc. Until in the end you just leave your waterproofs on!
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 10:52:50, 21/06/19
One of the main reasons why I gave up on waterproof trousers long ago!

'Today was one of those days when theres a heavy shower for 10-20 mins then dry for about an hour, then rain again etc. Until in the end you just leave your waterproofs on!'
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 18:26:08, 23/06/19
Now in Witheridge, two thirds of the way through our walk. The last couple of days has been great weather, rain today though from midday but it was our shortest day, looking forward to Exmoor. We’re enjoying the walk, yesterday though was a lot of quiet lane walking, which went through some lovely places but I think we’re happier up in the hills!
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 22:31:59, 26/06/19
Finished today. A long day yesterday with the start of Exmoor and great walking weather - cloudy but clear and not too hot. Today unfortunately we spent the rest of the time on Exmoor in the fog, only starting to clear as we got to Watersmeet. But overall we had pretty good weather, not much rain and generally good underfoot. Enjoyed the walk, though sometimes a bit too much lane walking. Saw very few other walkers doing it.


Met ninthace in the Mitre Inn in Witheridge. Great to meet you and good to put a face to the name of a forum member  :)
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: Jac on 08:00:35, 27/06/19
Well done. Glad it all went to plan.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 09:35:24, 27/06/19
Good to see you too. Glad it went well.  Shame about the Exmoor fog, the drop of the moor towards the sea is a fine view.  I shall be walking up that way tomorrow, inshallah.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: Mick wmexile on 11:13:48, 27/06/19
Glad you finished safe and well. I finished my Two Moors last Saturday, fine weather, and as ninthace says great views. I agree with you about the sections between Dartmoor and Exmoor, too much road walking and to be honest not my ideal walking. But that said, overall another long distance trail to my bow.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 11:43:49, 27/06/19
Now on the train back to Exeter, shame yesterdays and todays weather wasn’t the other way round!


Mick-we saw your entry in the book in Lynmouth. I hear there were several of you passing each other. We saw hardly anyone and no-one signed the previous two days to us.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 11:44:42, 27/06/19
The road walking in the mid section is virtually all on very quiet lanes which are typical of this part of Devon.  In winter, when the Moors are socked in with bad weather and the field paths are covered in mud, these lanes provide a good alternative where you can keep walking fit and still get some fresh air.  The secret is to pick the ridge lanes so you can enjoy the view.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 21:09:45, 30/06/19
Yes I can imagine the lanes make for good walking in poor weather as we saw hardly any traffic on them. Just a bit hard on the feet especially in leather boots!
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 18:46:11, 18/07/19
How easy is it to get from Lynton to a railway station, or vice versa by public transport? Is Taunton the one to get on or off at?
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 19:28:43, 18/07/19
Nearest station to Lynton is Barnstaple.  There is a direct bus service.  Tiverton Parkway and then bus to Barnstaple and bus to Lynton is an alternative.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 19:43:25, 18/07/19
Thanks for the information, I've just spent a while looking at the National Rail site wondering why Barnstaple would not show on the screen, it was because I kept typing Barnstable!
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 22:14:34, 18/07/19
We got the bus to Barnstaple from Lynton and then train to Exeter. Nearly an hour’s wait at Barnstaple though. Its a bit a walk between bus and rail station, but the bus driver said he’d drop us off at the station anyway as he had a while to wait before heading back!
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 20:29:13, 28/07/19
My summer walking plans just didn't happen, my wife and I devoted ourselves to her 94 year old mother who is very frail. She is now in a very nice residential home so all is now well for her.

Interesting lady my mother in law, joined the Wrens in WW2, served at a secret base the coast of Scotland with the group who sunk the Tirpitz and she knew Buster Crabbe. Lawrence Harvey made a film about him in the early 50s, black and white, I watched it a few months ago. It was Buster Crabbe that caused a newspaper/media sensation in the 50s when his headless body was found in Portsmouth Harbour. He had dived under a Russian warship that was visiting the UK at the time. Some say the incident is still a bit of a mystery, was it really his body? A Royal Navy person told me a few years ago that the night before his death he stayed in the Sally Port Inn, (now closed down) near the seafront and rumour has it that the hotel guest book is still missing the page where he signed in. Taken by MI6 so the story goes and never seen by anyone since.

I've decided that I will now hike the Two Moors Way so have booked a train for 5th Aug to Ivybridge. I think I did quite well, £20.80 single. For the past few days, the cheapest I could find was £35. Oddly the £20.80 fare today was via National Rail, the split ticketing site today was £36.

I'll return home from Barnstaple and worry about the fare cost towards the end of the hike. The school holidays seem to distort fares a lot.

I'm now going to go through all of the Forum entries and jot down all of the pubs and the campsite suggestions.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 20:43:27, 28/07/19
Far be it for me to be pedantic GWM, but the RAF sunk the Tirpitz in Operation Catechism.  There is some debate as to which sqn was responsible as both 617 and 9 Sqns were involved but 9 Sqn has the fireplace from the Tirpitz as a souvenir. The RN damaged it in Operation Source but they did not sink it.
Enjoy the TMW, give me a wave as you pass Witheridge.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 21:17:49, 28/07/19
Yes, 'sunk' was incorrect, 'damaged' would have been better. My wife has just reminded me that the submarines had a go in 1943 and the RAF finished the job in 1944.

My mother in law also represents another bit of history, she was one of many in the 40s that contracted Tuberculosis but she was lucky because the latest drugs to cure it was invented and arrived just in time to save her. She is still alive today at 94 and had three healthy children.

I find that now I'm 74 these things become very relevant to me today. For example in the pub last night we were talking about air pollution, the younger drinkers think its a new thing. It isn't, I vividly remember the London smogs and my sister often reminds me when I had my first motorbike (a Francis Barnett single-cylinder 225cc) I used to come home sometimes, from visiting a girlfriend with a black grimy face. My sister remembers scrubbing it all off with soap and flannel from the family white enamel bowl. I remember the bowl but not being cleaned up.


Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 21:36:30, 28/07/19
Indeed, it was the @12,000 (estimates vary) deaths caused by the Great Smog of 1952 that lead to the passing of the Clean Air Act of 1956.  Can you imagine anyone tolerating that carnage these days?


I can also remember as a child we drove from Luton to Bedford in a smog.  Dad told mum to follow the car in front - we nearly ended up in his driveway!
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 11:38:39, 30/07/19
Some reports in the newspapers, the BBC and online suggests that Devon has a growing number of wild boars, especially around Exmoor. Any ideas if this is correct or not?
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 12:08:10, 30/07/19
Some reports in the newspapers, the BBC and online suggests that Devon has a growing number of wild boars, especially around Exmoor. Any ideas if this is correct or not?
Not an issue locally as far as I am aware - perhaps the ticks have eaten them all.
Edited to add:  nothing in the local press recently I can find.  Some were liberated by activists from a farm near West Anstey in 2006.  I have walked in forests in France and Germany where Boar are plentiful and it is not an issue.  Coincidentally, I was walking on West Anstey Common only 9 days ago - I did not see any sign of them such as bristles on fences, scrapes or wallows which is what you find if they are plentiful.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 15:14:45, 30/07/19
Some reports in the newspapers, the BBC and online suggests that Devon has a growing number of wild boars, especially around Exmoor. Any ideas if this is correct or not?
Well we didn’t see any! Though our 2nd day on Exmoor was foggy so we would have only seen them if they were right in front of us!
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 21:47:00, 09/08/19
I decided to return home today. I walked from Ivybridge to Morchard Road and had a fair amount of wind, cloud, sun and rain, it was never cold. I wild camped the first night high up on the moor, that was an interesting experiece! En route people kept saying to me that really bad weather was ahead, 'bibilcal rain' was on its way and so on! When I arrived at Morchard Road on Thursday evening dark clouds were definately building. I found a small field adjacent to a fishing club, pitched my tent and then went to the pub, 6 minutes away. Heaven! The landlady and a couple of locals warned me yet again about bad weather.

I returned to my tent in darkness got in and within 10 minutes the heavens opened. I thought my tent would collapse with the weight of rain but of course it didn't. When daylight came I realised that my tent had sprung a small leak at the foot end and the end of my down sleeping quilt was sodden.

I checked the BBC weather, it was predicting that the weather would be at its worst as I would have been approaching Exmoor so I made an on the spot decision to just catch the train home. I'm sure if I hadn't reached Morchard Road or had already walked beyond it I would be still walking but the train line and station halt was right in front of me, so I just took the easy way out. So I caught the 07.38hrs train, two changes later and I was home by 12.10hrs.

I enjoyed my 4 nights and days, the weather was variable so I was able to use everything. In the downpours my £15 Champion long coat worked perfectly, I was dry as a bone throughout. My only complaint, a bit too much road walking.

I had one incident, (maybe its a new sport for some people?) when casually walking along a narrow sunken tarmacked lane a few miles north of the A30. It was sunny at this point and everything was quite, no cars to be heard or seen and I had drifted into my own thoughts.

Suddenly, something touched the back of my leg and a very loud and prolonged car horn blasted at me!!! I nearly jumped out of my skin in shock! I glanced to my right, my brain said 'personal danger' and I instinctively threw myself into the hedge area. In that instant I knew it was a car bumper that had touched the back of my leg. The owner had deliberately and slowly crept up on me in his electric car and  I didn't hear a thing! Inside was a middle aged mum and dad and two 12-15 year old boys in the back, ALL laughing their heads off at my expense! As they passed the man shouted "its electric, very quite!" I quickly tried to respond with a sarcastic quip but all I could manage was "Electric cars, you've wasted your money, they'll never catch on!" A puny effort I know but in my shock thats the best I could do! They disappeared and I could only stand in the road and fume!
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 22:24:56, 09/08/19
I have dined in the Dumpling too.  Bit of an odd pub I thought but food wasn't bad.  The weather hasn't actually been that bad yet.  Perhaps we will see you if you come to finish it off.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 08:41:23, 10/08/19
We stayed in the Devonshire Dumpling at Morchard Road back in June. I believe it had recently changed hands and got the impression that it may have improved from before. A clean, comfortable stay, nothing outstanding, but they were friendly and like you say, food was good. I get what you mean by an odd pub, probably more of a travellers pub than a village pub, being on a busy road.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 11:16:09, 10/08/19
After my first nights camp, I had a full veggie breakfast in the pub in Scorrington. Very nice, varied ingredients and good presentation but I'm sure it was cooked in a microwave. I may be picky but microwaved meals are always a bit of a letdown for me.

En route, I detoured off into Shagford for coffee and cake and went into the Cafe on the Square. A small place but I fully recommend the lady owners Bakewell Tart, she makes it and other cakes herself, excellent! I then had a scone, jam and cream, excellent again!

There I experienced a vision of a possible future for us? Most customers wanted to pay by card but her machine was intermittently failing. Oooh, some people do get twitchy! It was not her fault and customers had to walk about 10 yards to get cash out of a machine! Too far, too much effort, it was grumps all round!

It certainly made me think, what happens if card machines were to fail en masse? I thought about this last night especially noticing that large areas of the country had experienced an electric blackout yesterday. As my old mum used to say, the country just could not function if electricity fails, everything and everybody depends on it, even for our gas supplies. And where does a lot of our electricity come from? I've been told much of it is from the EU? If so does Brexit make the UKs fuel security more vulnerable than ever in the past? Doesn't feel good to me!

I drank and ate at the Dumpling. Very clean, nice functional decor, very welcoming locals, a charming barmaid but could have been the landlady? The food was very good, the three vegetables provided were cooked perfectly, much better I thought than the food from the pub in Widecombe in the Moor.


Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: Jac on 11:26:00, 10/08/19

En route, I detoured off into Shagford for coffee and ...................................




 :o
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 11:41:09, 10/08/19
Do you mean Scorriton and Chagford gunwharfman?  ;D


We also stayed and ate at the pub in Scorriton. They were unable to do us a packed lunch even though we asked the night before, as they said they didn’t have enough bread! So we just made up a sausage sandwich from breakfast.


We stopped for lunch in Chagford, at a little deli just off the main square, where we could sit outside.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 11:47:40, 10/08/19
Oops! Must improve my typing skills.  :-[
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 12:51:58, 12/08/19
I've decided to return to Devon to finish the Two Moors Way. So I'll be on the train again on the 18th August and catch the train back on 22nd August. I'll start where I finished (Marchant Road Halt) and carry on walking north, I estimate it will take 3 walking days to Lynton. I managed, by using the Split Tickets site to get a good enough price, £21 each way.

I may also be lucky the week after to spend a few days in the Lakes? A neighbour is on his way to Glasgow and is willing to drop me at Penrith and pick me up three days later. Crossing my fingers!
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 16:47:54, 17/08/19
I'm off to Morchard Road tomorrow to finish the Two Moors Way. Not keen to travel on a Sunday usually, because in the evening lots of pubs can be closed, or they don't serve food? The secondary reason is that I arrive at Morchard Road just after 4.0pm, so it should be easy to get to Morchard Bishop fairly quickly. Then I'll have to mull over shall I stay there, or could I get to Witheridge while it's still daylight? If I choose to go to Witheridge does anyone know if there is a campsite nearby please?
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 17:47:30, 17/08/19
I'm off to Morchard Road tomorrow to finish the Two Moors Way. Not keen to travel on a Sunday usually, because in the evening lots of pubs can be closed, or they don't serve food? The secondary reason is that I arrive at Morchard Road just after 4.0pm, so it should be easy to get to Morchard Bishop fairly quickly. Then I'll have to mull over shall I stay there, or could I get to Witheridge while it's still daylight? If I choose to go to Witheridge does anyone know if there is a campsite nearby please?
  Near Witheridge - can't say as I do.  The Mitre does rooms otherwise I suspect you may be wild camping.  Not sure if it is suitable, but there is a playing field behind the village hall but it is very popular with dog walkers at all hours.  Perhaps there is patch just as you go out of the playing field on to the 2MW and go right - there is a path and the grass is a bit long but it is more out of sight for a late pitch and early start.  There is a pub at Morchard Bishop too, never been in it though and there is a pub at Black Dog - again I have never been in it.  Neither is renowned for its catering. Let me know if you make it to Witheridge tomorrow and perhaps we can have a pint together.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 19:24:36, 17/08/19
Best I can find is West Middlewick which is a mile and a half away https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/siteseeker/?cLatitude=4.9424858&cLongitude=7.2258433&campsiteTypes=1&campsiteTypes=3&campsiteTypes=2&campsiteTypes=5&isAllYear=false&isBookOnline=false&isFeatured=false&neLatitude=50.933912&neLongitude=-3.649795&page=1&pageSize=20&swLatitude=50.89556&swLongitude=-3.712211 (https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/siteseeker/?cLatitude=4.9424858&cLongitude=7.2258433&campsiteTypes=1&campsiteTypes=3&campsiteTypes=2&campsiteTypes=5&isAllYear=false&isBookOnline=false&isFeatured=false&neLatitude=50.933912&neLongitude=-3.649795&page=1&pageSize=20&swLatitude=50.89556&swLongitude=-3.712211)  Nearest pub is the Mount Pleasant at Nomansland.  Food is not bad - cider is good
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 09:38:24, 18/08/19
Thanks, yes I'd looked at that site possibility. Just went off to catch my train to Salisbury and the guard didn't turn up so it has been cancelled. So instead of leaving at 9.08 I'll be catching the 11.08. Annoying!

Because I'll be arriving later I'll just make my way to Morchard Bishop and camp there. These little things are there to try us.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 10:55:23, 18/08/19
I believe the London Inn may not only offer food but may let you camp.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 19:12:47, 18/08/19
Just arrived in Morchard Bishop, camping on the pub lawn, having a meal with beer. Campers heaven!
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 22:23:13, 18/08/19
It may open too late for you but the little shop in Morchard Bishop does bacon sandwiches
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 17:53:34, 22/08/19
I've just finished the last half of the Two Moors Way, 4 nights camping, 3 full days of walking. Got off the train at Morchard Raod, strolled up to Morchard Bishop, camped behind the pub. My plan was to walk to Witheridge then decide what to do next, arrived around midday, had coffee and cake in the Art Cafe and then, it was a nice day so I just strolled on. It was one of those days when I could have walked from dawn to dusk, which I did! I got to Knowstone and the pub was closed, it was Monday, so had a sit-down, had a think and then walked on again. My Salomon Quest boots were so comfortable, no pains, twinges or hot spots, the only problem was both boots LEAKED in exactly the same way! The water got in through the area over my toes, I walked in early wet grass and knew I had wet feet within about ten paces. When I looked,  the front of my socks was wet, the heel areas were dry. Annoying!

In the end, I walked to the Tarr Steps and camped by the river. The pub there and the meal was the best en route. Lots of showers that day, I must have put on and taken off my walking long coat twenty times, but no problem, I stayed dry, except for some perspiration wetness which dried quickly when I open up the jacket to the air.

The next day, I still felt good so I walked all the way to West Lyn, just before Lynmouth. I came off the route at the bottom of a steep semi tarmac track at the entrance gate to Combe Park. I just strolled up the hill to the West Lyn campsite. It has a pub next door, £6 a night, so I stayed 2 nights.

The next morning I walked back to the gate at Combe Park and the followed the Two Moors Way to Lynmouth and the metal man sculpture at the seafront.

I wandered around, had coffee and cake, wandered a bit more and had lunch. Mid afternoon I walked back up to the camp site, Very steep zig zag track, really made me puff and pant! Had the Vegan main mean in the pub, (recommended!) 2 pints of beer and treated myself to a brandy at the end.

I was up at 05.15 this morning and was packed by 06.00 and retraced my steps through a field, down the steep footpath and caught the 07.28 bus to Barnstaple.



Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: ninthace on 21:27:06, 22/08/19
Morchard Bishop to Tarr Steps in a day is serious strolling GWM.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 09:54:46, 23/08/19
It was, but for me, it was an unusual day. I have no idea why but I felt perfectly fit that day. My boots were comfortable, my legs felt strong, I've never had joint pains so that's good, my rucksack fitted so well and hardly noticed it as I strolled on and the opportunity to buy coffee and cake was always there. I really should have stopped at Knowstone and would have done if the pub was open. Whilst I hesitated there, a local man with his dog walked passed and we chatted and he told me that the Tarr Farm Pub would be open and that I could make it within three hours. The timing was also in my favour, I knew that I had the daylight hours with me, so impulsively I said to myself go for it!

The terrain helped, it's made for comfortable walking and on the road sections, it was easy to pile on the miles, a bit hard on the feet though. I was most surprised to find in your area of Devon, between Dartmoor and Exmoor, the population seemed to be very sparse. You could build a big city where you live and still have countryside around the edges. As I walked through the fields, woods and along lanes the feeling of being alone for long periods of time was a very real experience.

I did the Two Moors Way in two sections, over the whole route I only met three walkers, a husband and wife just approaching Ivybridge as I started the first section and one other hiker going south in my second section. That really did surprise me, I thought I would meet a lot more. I camped alone where ever I stayed, even at Lynmouth I was the only tent on the site.

I really enjoyed the bus trip from Lynmouth to Barnstaple, the driver obviously knew every twist and turn, when to hug the hedges, when to drive hell for leather on the straight sections and how to hold his nerve and make lorries, vans and cars back up into entrances so he would always be making his way onward.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 12:16:31, 23/08/19
You had a wilder bus ride than us then!  ;D


We took just over two days to get from Morchard Road to Tarr Steps, though they were our shorter days.
You could have camped at Partridge Arms Farm in West Anstey, though you may not have got a meal unless prebooked, but I got the impression they try to help out if they can. We too saw very few people walking it.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 13:29:29, 23/08/19
Did you mean the Partridge Arms Farm at Yeo Mill, if you did I missed that place completely? I must have been on drone mode at the time. I did speak to an Australian bloke sitting in the garden of a small cottage just before the road went uphill again and he didn't know of anywhere. No one else was around to ask so I just walked on to West Anstey and carried on again.

Before getting to Yeo Mill I walked past a Tapas Bar, in the middle of nowhere, that took me by surprise! Did you see it or use it?
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: rural roamer on 14:32:03, 23/08/19
Yes thats the one. It’s an old pink Devon longhouse, used to be a pub years ago, they still have a bar. We were the only ones staying there. Not sure how you missed it you can see it from the path/road and there’s a couple of big signs!  ;D  Mind you I don’t recall seeing the tapas place!
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 11:04:08, 24/08/19
The Tapas Bar was between the edge of Owlaborough Moor and B3227 road and was set back from the Two Moors track in New Moor Plantation, which is about a mile before Yeo Mill. I only glanced at it as I walked past, but I noticed it properly when I saw their sign as I put my feet onto the tarmac at the road. It still intrigues me, a Tapas Bar in a Devon wood? I keep wishing now that I'd properly investigated.

For anyone thinking of hiking and camping the Two Moors Way in the future, one of the places I camped was called 'Lake View' about 4 minutes walk from Morchard View train station and 6 minutes from the pub. The pub gave me the number to ring, Mrs Barber 01368 85187. It's just a small field, with freshwater and one caravan on-site and next to it is a lake where people come to fish.

The Two Moors Way is also one of those walks where it can easily be divided into two shorter hikes, by getting off the train at Morchard Road you can hike to Ivybridge, or the other way round, Ivybridge to Morchard Road, or to hike from Morchard Road to Lynton, then bus to Barnstaple or vice versa. Or do it all in one go.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: Jac on 11:32:16, 24/08/19

Here's the link to the Wild Woods Tapas Bar

https://www.wildwoodstapas.co.uk/tapas-bar/menu/

We're very on trend here in Devon, GWM
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 11:35:25, 24/08/19
That's the one, thanks for that. I wished I'd gone in.
Title: Re: Two Moors Way
Post by: gunwharfman on 14:03:55, 01/09/19
When I set off to catch the train to Devon recently it was cancelled at the last minute (no guard) and I had to wait for the next one. I made a claim and it's just been confirmed that GWR has just reimbursed me with £20. So my £20 each way trip only cost me £10 each way. Not bad!

I went on YouTube yesterday and watched a video of the Two Moors Way hosted by a lady called Abbie Barnes. I enjoyed it and her commentary very much, I thought she was rather good at it, not an 'um and an ah' at any point. I like that! Nice to see all the places I walked displayed before my very eyes, she even camped in the same field I did when she arrived at Morchard Road. There was one sad moment as she hiked across Dartmoor and I really felt for her!