There are two distinct ways to plan a trip to Marldon: walking the John Musgrave Heritage Trail, and exploring village history and festival traditions centred on the Church House Inn and the Apple Pie Fair. The trail passes through Marldon; the Church House Inn dates back to the 1400s, and the fair traditionally takes place on the last Saturday in July.
Walking: one route and local trails
The John Musgrave Heritage Trail is 35 miles (56 km) long in total and passes through Marldon. This distance applies to the entire route. Its landscape includes rolling hills, hidden valleys, picturesque villages and a dramatic coastline. The trail has moderate to steep climbs, as well as long stretches along paths and country lanes. Conditions can vary depending on the season, so it is worth checking them for the period you plan to visit.
Marldon also has 24 rural walking trails. The two figures answer different questions: 35 miles is the total length of the named trail, while 24 is the number of local trails. This clearly distinguishes a specific route that passes through Marldon from the number of rural trails in the village. Your choice depends on whether you have a long, named route or the local network of trails in mind.
Directions to the village car park
The village car park is on the road just behind Marldon Church, opposite the Church House Inn. If you need to use this parking facility, check the church’s visitor information before setting off.
The Church House Inn: history and dining
The Church House Inn’s history dates back to the 1400s. It is a Grade II-listed country inn and restaurant, with a pub garden. This brings history and dining together at a named place: the inn is a historic landmark as well as a restaurant with a pub garden. If you are interested in Marldon’s village history, this is a specific point of interest, distinct from the annual Apple Pie Fair.
Apple Pie Fair: date and tradition
The Marldon Apple Pie Fair traditionally takes place every year on the last Saturday in July. This is a specific seasonal reference point for planning your trip; confirm that year’s arrangements before travelling. The festivities include a large apple pie carried in a donkey-drawn cart in the procession. The procession also gives the fair a distinctive theme for visitors interested in local festival traditions.
The large festival marquee hosts an exhibition of crafts and works by local artists; the programme can vary from year to year. The fair thus brings together a traditional date, a procession and an exhibition. If you are travelling to Marldon for the event, take both the date and the latest arrangements into account when planning. If walking is your main focus, the Heritage Trail’s length and terrain, together with the local number of trails, offer practical points to help you decide.
Discover more destinations: Ilsington, Woolacombe, Whimple, Morebath, Dartmouth, Harberton, Ipplepen, Tiverton.
For the wider travel guide: Devon.
