Best Post-Christmas Walks in the West Country (Easy Festive Walks Across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset & Dorset)
Why Post-Christmas Walks Matter
Post Christmas walking in England's Southwest… Punch those words into my computer hard discs and I discover that, in the past quarter of a century, I’ve written a couple of dozen articles based on this theme, which is not exactly surprising for a couple of reasons…
The first of which is that even busy people tend to have time on their hands during the strange period between Christmas and New Year - added to that they’ve probably been indoors a good deal stuffing themselves and are generally in need of exercise and fresh air.
Which brings us immediately onto the second reason… The alarming and dispiriting fact that more people keel over with heart attacks over Christmas than at any other time of the year. Not surprising really, when you think of all that unaccustomed rich food and the booze – plus the break in people’s normal routines…
But now the dangerous moment has passed; maybe it’s time we thought about our levels of bodily fitness and well-being. And my favourite - indeed the nation’s favourite - way of staying healthy is to go for a regular bracing country walk. Which is why Hesp Out West is going to be devoted to ideal post Christmas walking ideas over the next couple of weeks.
For years I used to present walks on ITV
Start with Gentle West Country Walks
However, I’d recommend being a little careful after the excesses of the festive period – which is why I’m starting by suggesting a round-up of easy but refreshing walks you can do during the festive limbo.
And just a note here… As I live in what could be called the “true South West” - by which I mean, west of Bristol - I tend to focus on the actual West Country peninsula, so apologies to readers who live north or east of this large and hugely scenic area.
If we divide that region up into ten areas there should be at least one route near to you. My areas are: North and Central Somerset, West Somerset and Exmoor, West Dorset, South East Devon, Dorset Dartmoor, South West Devon, North Devon and North Cornwall, Mid and South East Cornwall, West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
And I used to lead organised walks
Let’s work the list backwards…
Isles of Scilly: Best Easy Winter Walks
St Agnes Coastal Circuit
The Scillies provide one of the best walking areas in the country because, apart from the amazing maritime views, there is so little traffic. The islands are also pretty flat so they’d make an ideal location for walking off the Christmas flab.
Strange rock formations on St Agnes
I realise not many readers are likely to be going there at this time of the year, but if you are fortunate enough to be flying out to the Fortunate Isles, then the four mile walk around the perimeter of lonely St Agnes would probably be at the top of my list of ideal post festive strolls to be enjoyed anywhere. Not only will you be walking around the most south-westerly place in the UK, you will also stand a good chance of seeing some rare migrant bird or other which has been blown off course by winter gales. And you can rest your weary limbs at the end of this gentle but wild meander with a pint in the excellent Turk’s Head.
Christmas on St Agnes
West Cornwall: Coastal Paths & Church Cove
Church Cove & Halzephron Cliff Loop
Church Cove, The Lizard
As for West Cornwall: our traditional Christmas is meant to be about God so why not throw a church into our walking recipe? Church Cove, on the Lizard’s west coast, not only boasts a wonderful old temple by the seashore, it also offers some easy strolls. My recommended walk starts at Winnianton, walk back up road to Halzephron Cliff, join coast path back to Church Cove - then take right of way across golf course inland (beware low flying balls) and join road down to Poldhu Cove before eventually taking coast path back to start.
The church at Church Cove
Mid & South East Cornwall: Caradon Hill Railway Walk
Minions & Caradon Mast Circular
Oddly enough you can walk around the very roof of this particular area without having to get out of breath, thanks to the old quarry railway that runs around Caradon Hill.
Old mines on Caradon Hill
Where there’s a disused railway, there’s usually a very flat stroll… The fact you are on the roof of South East Cornwall is reinforced by the massive television mast which crowns the hill. The 750-foot transmitter provides half the peninsula with its TV signal - you can see it for miles. Conversely, you can see for miles if you walk to the top of the hill.
Simply start at the village of Minions (where there’s a pub that does excellent food) and walk around the mast in which ever direction you choose.
Hills around Minions
North Devon & North Cornwall: Gentle Morwenstow Loop
St John’s Well to Higher Sharpnose Point
Mention the hamlet of Morwenstow and most local walkers would puff and blow at the thought. The coast path that runs from Hartland Point to Bude is one of the most roller-coaster-ish stretches to be found or endured, but there is a wonderful little stroll you can do from the church at Morwenstow that will not over-do the post Christmas cardiovascular limits.
Church overlooks the sea at Morwenstow
Walk down past the rectory to St John's Well to find footpath along the bottom of the valley to the sea cliffs. Turn left here and there is one steep climb up the SW Coast Path which you take to Higher Sharpnose Point. However, don’t go as far as to descend into the Tidna Valley – turn inland near to where Parson Hawker’s remarkable hut is located on the cliffs and follow the footpath back across the flat hilltop fields to the first class pub near the church.
Razor Rocks at Morwenstow
South West Devon: Dramatic Brentor Walk
St Michael de Rupe (20-minute Hill Walk)
If I had to choose a church in which to give praise for all that is holy this Christmas, I would have no hesitation in selecting St Michael de Rupe perched high on the crags of Brentor.
Brent Tor with its chapel in the distance
It is, after all, closer to heaven than almost any other temple in the south of England and certainly it offers worshippers a better view of God’s handiwork than any other church I can think of. In short, the quick hike up to the little church at the top of Brentor, a couple of miles north west of Tavistock, is one of the most dramatic 20-minute walks you can do in Southern Britain.
Dartmoor: Bellever Tor & Pinewoods
Easy Routes to Bellever Tor
Bellever Tor looking south
Bellever Tor, in the very heart of Dartmoor, is both convenient to the few road routes that cross the centre of the national park and, thanks to its pine-woods, relatively sheltered when the midwinter weather is inclement.
It also offers some of the flattest walking on Dartmoor, being situated in the big wide central basin of the plateau. There are numbers options which allow you to reach Believer Tor itself, which is nothing more than a knoll sticking out of the woods, These are easily to be found from several of the car parks that surround it, and they allow you to make your walk as long or short as your over-stuffed limbs will allow.
Bellever Tor looking n orth
South East Devon: Woodbury Common
Triassic Pebblebed Trails
Woodbury Common offers some of the finest inland walking to be found in the southeast Devon area, and the plateau is fairly flat so you can enjoy the views without overdoing it.
Woodbury Common and the Pebblebeds
Paths criss-cross the various commons and it's easy to make up your own route as you go. I’d recommend a gentle meander through the southerly limits of the area's fascinating Triassic pebblebeds - to give them their official title – there are plenty of interpretation boards with maps showing way-marked routes.
Dorset: West Bexington to Abbotsbury
10/10 Coastal Views & Historic Hills
The West Bexington to Abbotsbury hike scores a perfect 10-out-10 for views, history, and the promise of a good pub finish. Starting at the Manor House in West Bexington, a short, sharp 15-minute haul up Limekiln Hill gets the hard work over early, rewarding you with some of Southern Britain’s finest coastal panoramas.
From here, it’s level walking through National Trust fields to Tulk’s Hill—above the wonderfully named Labour In Vain Farm—and east toward the ancient earthworks of Abbotsbury Castle. Continuing past Wear’s Hill, we descend into Abbotsbury village, crossing to Chapel Lane and heading seawards. Skirting the famous Swannery and St Catherine’s Hill, we eventually hit the beach at the western end of The Flete. From there, it’s simply a matter of marching along the coast path back to West Bexington, turning inland for a well-earned drink at the pub.
Footpath sign above West Bexington
West Somerset & Exmoor: Coast Path & Culbone
Greenaleigh, Burgundy Combe & Culbone Church
One hike I sometimes do at this time of year is immediately west of Minehead along the very first section of the South West Coast Path. Past the little farm at Greenaleigh you can take a detour to steep Burgundy Combe - you’ll certainly burn excess calories – you will also discover the ruined chapel where smugglers used to hide the festive booze that gives the place its name.
Culbone Church
Perhaps a more gratifying experience would be to walk from Porlock Weir up to the UK’s smallest complete church at Culbone. This is a bit arduous to be honest - if you’re really feeling lazy just stroll from the harbour out along to the shingle ridge and admire the long stretch of wild coastline where Exmoor meets the sea. Back at the harbour I’d highly recommend the Porlock Weir Hotel or the Ship Inn for refreshments.
Central & North Somerset: Somerset Levels
Maunsel Lock & Sedgemoor Starling Murmurations
If you are looking for a really level walk so as not to strain over-fed self then, of course, an area which includes the world “level” in its name must come up trumps. The Somerset Levels is a wonderful place to walk at any time of year, but right now you will be treated to one of the greatest aerial displays in nature if you go late in the afternoon. The great starling roosts of Sedgemoor should be listed as one of the seven wonders of the UK.
Maunsel Lock, Somerset
The walk from Maunsel Lower Lock car park on the Taunton - Bridgwater Canal is one of the least energetic I know anywhere. Walk north, along the towpath, beyond Godfrey's Corner to Whites, then south over the rhynes to Wisteria Farm and Coxhill Bridge - and back along the canal.
Trees along the Taunton-Bridgwater Canal
