Day 5 of an 8-day walk through Devon. An 8-mile walk from Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop on a route that could be used by Lands End to John O'Groats long distance walkers passing through the county

1. A WALK THROUGH DEVON
Launceston to Skilgate, in easy
8- to 10-mile stages, on minor roads and footpaths
John Downs with Indie
Day 5 of 8 – Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop– 8.19 miles (13.2 km)
OS Explorer Map 113
Devon - Day 5 1
Elevation gain 228 metres (748 ft)
Max elevation 193 metres (633 ft)
On a ridge road near Loosebeare,
looking north-east, with Lapford
in the distance

2. Day 5 - Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop
My pre-walk Plan
Devon - Day 5 2
Distance (miles) Directions
(OS 113 )
Bondleigh to
Morchard
Bishop
8 miles
2 Take road east out of Bondleigh on minor road, bearing
left at Lowton to Titterton’s Cross, Farley’s Grave and
Newton Cross
2 Take left at Newton Cross on minor road to Blackditch
Cross
4 Straight across at Blackditch Cross to Kiellands Cross and
then right to Bury Cross. Cross River Yeo and then on
eastwards to Rudge, Upcott and Morchard Bishop. Join
Two Moors Way - END

3. Day 5 - Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop
OS map detail for Bondleigh Bridge to East Leigh area
Devon - Day 5 3

4. Day 5 - Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop
OS map detail for East Leigh area to Morchard Bishop
Devon - Day 5 4

5. Day 5 - Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop
A fine country walk, all on quiet minor roads, memorable for wonderful views of rural Devon on both sides of the roads for
much of the route. Also memorable for not passing through/by any villages, hamlets, shops or pubs – so all/any walking
supplies need to be carried from start. An initial climb up to high ground at Farley’s Grave and then two descents into
valleys to cross first the B3220 and then the River Yeo and the A377. A final 2.4 mile walk on a minor road up from the
A377 to Morchard Bishop situated on a hill.
Devon - Day 5 5

6. Day 5 - Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop - Overview of
route
A quiet scenic walk, mostly along barely-used ridge roads, with fine views either side. Starting with a walk uphill from
Bondleigh Bridge to Farley’s Grave crossroads at 192 metres, and then some level ridge walking before dipping down to
Newtons Cross. Another short ascent to Southdown, passing Loosebeare, and then down again to Blackditch Cross (B3220).
Another climb to Edgerley Cross and Kelland Cross follows before descending to Bury Cross (A377). A final walk uphill to
Morchard Bishop at 167 metres altitude.
General Directions : 1st leg – 2.8 miles Head east on a minor road to Leigh Cross 2nd leg – 2.8 miles Continue on minor
road to Blackditch Cross and on to Bury Cross (A377). 3rd leg -2.4 miles Pass Bugford Mill on minor road after A377 and
proceed east to Morchard Bishop.
Devon - Day 5 6

7. Set off from Bondleigh Bridge at 11.38 on a dry sunny day, 16oC. Starting altitude: 101metres. Headed east straight uphill on a
minor road past Lowton (on the right), to Titterton Cross and up to Farley’s Grave @ 1.63 miles and 193 metres altitude – the
high point of the day’s walk. Carried on straight ahead across Farley’s Grave crossroads (signposted Newton 1) to Newton Cross
@ 2.28 miles, elapsed time 1 hour 9 minutes, altitude 176 metres. Large open fields, with many horses either side on this
section (Elite Stallions UK establishment nearby). Followed the road left at Newton Cross (signed Lapford and Morchard Rd)
and continued, descending gradually, to Leigh Cross with cluster of white cottages @ 2.82 miles, elapsed time 1 hour 23
minutes, altitude 159 metres. Great open views of this part of Devon in all directions. Highly recommended walk.
Day 5 - Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop - First leg to
Leigh Cross – 2.8 miles
Devon - Day 5 7

8. Day 5 - Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop - First leg to Leigh
Cross – 2.8 miles
Clockwise from left: Field on left near top of hill coming up from Bondleigh Bridge ; looking back downhill towards
Bondleigh from near to Titterton Cross; View on the left just before Titterton Cross
Devon - Day 5 8

9. Day 5 - Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop - First leg to Leigh
Cross – 2.8 miles
Left to right: View left (northwards) from Tittertons Cross; the signpost at Farley’s Grave
Devon - Day 5 9

10. First a wonderful ridge walk from Leigh Cross on a minor road for 1.4 miles with fantastic views to the left and ahead before
descending to Blackditch Cross @ 4.23 miles, altitude 114 metres and elapsed time 2 hour 7 minutes. Cross the B3220 and climb
minor road (signed Lapford) up to high point of 155 meters near Pennycotts (4.73 miles) and then down to Edgerley Cross and
Kelland Cross. Take a right at Kelland Cross down to Bury Barton (note old barn by roadside) and then Bury Cross and the A377.
Altitude here: 82 metres. Distance travelled since start: 5.83 miles in 2 hours 54 minutes.
Day 5 - Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop - Second leg
from Leigh Cross to Bury Cross– 2.8 miles
Devon - Day 5 10

11. Day 5 - Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop - Second leg from
Leigh Cross to Bury Cross– 2.8 miles
Looking to the left (north) from around Newton Cross and Man’s Newton
Devon - Day 5 11

12. Day 5 - Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop - Second leg
from Leigh Cross to Bury Cross– 2.8 miles
The ridge road running east towards Lapford after Leigh Cross (left) and the view left (northwards) from the road
Devon - Day 5 12

13. Day 5 - Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop - Second leg
from Leigh Cross to Bury Cross– 2.8 miles
Left to right : On the ridge road near Loosebeare descending towards Blackditch Cross; a view north (left) a few minutes
later; Blackditch Cross , the B3220 and the road to Bury Cross (signed Lapford) on the other side.
Devon - Day 5 13

14. Day 5 - Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop - Second leg
from Leigh Cross to Bury Cross– 2.8 miles
Left to right : Old barn by roadside at Bury Barton; aerial view of Bury Barton farm ( site of a Roman fort), Bury Cross and
the A377, and the start of the minor road up to Morchard Bishop
Link to Roman Fort details: https://ancientmonuments.uk/100941-a-roman-fort-and-roman-camp-at-bury-barton-
lapford#.YB788-j7SUk
Devon - Day 5 14

15. Turn right onto the A377 and then take the minor road on the left over the River Yeo - climbing up past Bugford Mill, then on to
Rudge and over Colt’s Hill. Continue on past Upcott and Turning Ways, climbing up the main street of Morchard Bishop to the
pub at the top of the hill. Total elapsed walking time was 3 hours 59 minutes, and distance travelled from Bondleigh Bridge was
8.19 miles. Altitude at destination in Morchard Bishop: 167 metres.
Morchard Bishop has the longest row of terraced thatched cottages in England, and many buildings that were built in the l4th and 15th
centuries.
Day 5 – Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop– Third leg
from Bury Cross to Morchard Bishop – 2.5 miles
Devon - Day 5 15

16. Day 5 – Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop– Third leg from
Bury Cross to Morchard Bishop – 2.5 miles
Left to right: After Bury Cross, looking back to the bridge of the River Yeo; views ahead on the road up to Morchard Bishop
Devon - Day 5 16

17. Day 5 – Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop– Third leg from
Bury Cross to Morchard Bishop – 2.5 miles
Scenes walking up through Morchard Bishop. Destination for the day’s walk was the 16th Century “The London Inn” pub at the
top of hill
Devon - Day 5 17

18. Day 5 – Bondleigh Bridge to Morchard Bishop
Walk statistics (Garmin)
Devon - Day 5 18