Harberton combines several circular walking routes with a distinctive history of churches and buildings. The routes range from just over 3.5 to 12 kilometres, and each has a different landscape focus: views of Dartmoor, the Harbourne River or the Wash Valley. Local history includes St Andrew's Church, Luscombe Cross and the Church House Inn. When planning, you can first consider whether to base your choice more on the distance and landscape you want or on historic buildings.
Walking: compare distances and landscapes
At just over 3.5 kilometres, “Clockwise around Harberton” is the shortest of the listed circular routes. It offers views west towards Dartmoor, depending on the weather and vegetation. Longer is the 6.3-kilometre “Harberton and Dorsley Barton” route, which starts in Harberton. Along this route, springs in a gentle valley mark the source of the Harberton Brook. This gives you a choice between two different landscape highlights: western views of Dartmoor or springs at the source of the brook. Ground and trail conditions may change on both routes.
The 7.3-kilometre walk between Harberton and Harbertonford is more or less circular and considered moderately easy. Depending on the weather and vegetation, it offers impressive 180-degree views. “Beenleigh Brook”, which is also circular, has different highlights: the 7.9-kilometre route leads from Harberton along the Harbourne River and crosses it via a small footbridge. The distances are similar, but one route runs between two villages and offers wide-ranging views, while the other follows the river and includes a bridge crossing. Ground and trail conditions may change on both routes.
A considerably longer loop is “Painsford and the Washbourne Ridge”: it covers more than 12 kilometres from Harberton, and ground and trail conditions may change. Along the way, depending on the weather and vegetation, it offers wide-ranging views across the Wash Valley, with its valleys, wooded hedgerows and old pastureland; these views depend on the weather and vegetation. Its landscape focus therefore differs from the views of Dartmoor and the route along the Harbourne River. When choosing, you can consider both the distance and the landscape that interests you.
Ground and trail conditions may change; views also depend on the weather and vegetation. Checking current conditions before your walk can help with planning.
Church, wayside cross and architectural history
St Andrew's Church is a Grade I listed parish church in Harberton that visitors can tour; visiting arrangements may change. It has an exhibition about the church’s history. Exhibition arrangements may also change, so check both in advance. The church thus combines its status as a protected building with an exhibition devoted to its own history.
Luscombe Cross represents a different type of monument: the Grade II listed wayside cross is a well-preserved, rare, free-standing preaching cross at a road junction. Unlike the parish church, it is a separate, free-standing structure. The church and cross therefore differ both in form and in designation: Grade I for the parish church, Grade II for the wayside cross.
The Church House Inn adds another perspective on Harberton’s architectural history. Originally a church house, it dates from around the mid to late 16th century. Along with the parish church and the wayside cross, it represents another historic theme: a former church house with an approximate date. You can therefore treat the routes and landscapes as one focus of your trip, and the different traces of local history as another.
Discover more destinations: Georgeham, Crediton, North Huish, Sampford Peverell, Burlescombe, Kingskerswell, Payhembury, Ashburton
For the broader travel overview: Devon.
