ノースタウトンでののおすすめウォーキング＆ハイキングルート

Whilst Ashridge Court itself is private and difficult to catch a glimpse of (unless you're attending a wedding at its wonderful restored Great Barn), it's the gate posts which most charm hikers as they pass by. Looking like giant chess rooks, the castellated posts are simply stunning. On several of the estate's gates, hiking along the adjacent footpath and discovering these is like finding a secret garden.

North Tawton is a lovely village with a particularly pretty square. The town hall is a Grade II-listed building dating to the 19th century whilst a mullion windowed house with a gorgeous door dates back to the 16th. A clock tower sits in the middle and was built in 1887. The poet Ted Hughes once called this village his home after buying a house here in 1961 with Sylvia Plath. Hughes continued to live in the village until his death in 1998.

Located at the end of a farm track, Yeo Bridge is a pretty, old stone bridge used only by farm vehicles and hikers. Although there are numerous rivers by the name of Yeo nearby, this bridge actually crosses the River Taw, just to be confusing. The bridge is the meeting place for several footpaths, including the Devonshire Heartland Way. South takes you to North Tawton, whilst paths north take you further into the Mid Devon countryside.