Latest News
All the latest news on the Two Moors Way route. If you have an update on any aspect of the walk please get in touch.
We will update this page when appropriate with any information about or changes to the route due to bad weather or other circumstances. We will try to offer alternative walking suggestions where possible so you can still enjoy the Two Moors Way route. We will also post information about upcoming events of interest to Two Moors Way/Devon Coast to Coast walkers.
Please get in touch if you have any news or further information you feel will be useful to other walkers.
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR BACKPACK CAMPERS
The situation regarding backpack camping on Dartmoor has changed; the amount of land where camping is permitted without landowners’ permission was reduced in January 2023. Backpack camping is still permitted in certain areas of #Dartmoor, some of which are crossed by the Two Moors Way, but comes with rules and regulations. Visit https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/abo…/about-us-maps/camping-map to view the most recent map. Camping is not permitted on Spitchwick Common (including alongside the River Dart around Newbridge) on Stage 4.
BIG WALKS 6 & 7
Our next organised walk is planned for Saturday 22 April 2023, from Witheridge to Badlake Moor Cross. Email: jointhebigwalk@btinternet.com by 31 March for more details and to sign up. Big Walk 7 will take place on Saturday 9 September 2023.
NOW OPEN (JANUARY 2023)
TEMPORARY PATH CLOSURE TO WINTER 2022
A short section of the route in Mid Devon (Stage 6 – between Prestons and Whelmstone Cross) is currently closed due to the upgrading of The Dartmoor Line (Exeter–Okehampton railway line), which reopened for passengers on 20 November 2021. A traffic light system for walkers has been installed at the crossing; after essential safety checks the RoW will reopen (sadly we have not yet been given a firm date as to when this can happen). For the time being TMW walkers will need to follow the lanes east towards Colebrooke in order to cross the railway line and re-join the route (see map above and OS Explorer 113 Okehampton/OS Landranger 191). A map has been positioned at either end of the RoW to assist walkers on the ground. Any queries please email info@twomoorsway.org.
A4 Landscape Overview Nov 2021 Colebrooke Fps 4 and 19
TEMPORARY PATH CLOSURE 4 MARCH 2022
Please take note, Public Footpath 241FP15 is closed for 21 days from today due to a large fallen tree blocking the route. This closure also affects the Two Moors Way route. While the closure is in place, there is an alternative route for walkers using public footpath 241FP14, minor roads and the Coast Path to reach Lynmouth. This is shown in blue on the plan above and will involve Two Moors Way walkers in a additional mile or two at the start/end of the route.
TEMPORARY PATH CLOSURE 13 SEPTEMBER 2021
Please take note, Public Footpath DU5/23, Ashcombe Bottom near Simonbath, Exmoor Parish will be closed for 21 days from Monday 13th September for tree felling. Please note this affects the Two Moors Way promoted route. There is an alternative route in place, by kind permission of the adjacent landowner.
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR WILD CAMPERS AT ALL TIMES
Wild camping is only permitted in certain areas of #Dartmoor, and comes with rules and regulations. Visit https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/abo…/about-us-maps/camping-map for details. Camping is not permitted on Spitchwick Common (including alongside the River Dart around Newbridge) on Stage 4.
CANCELLED – NOTE Big Walk 5 was finally held on Saturday 10 September 2022!
BIG WALK 5
Our next organised walk will take place on Saturday 25 April 2020 and will cover the stretch from Clannaborough to Witheridge (with a shorter option). For details and to register please email jointhebigwalk@btinternet.com. The photo above shows cottages in the pretty Mid Devon village of Witheridge.
BIG WALK 4
Join us for BIG WALK 4 on Saturday 14 September 2019 when we will be leading a group from Chagford to Clannaborough (14.5 miles). There is also a shorter walk option (Chagford to Hittisleigh, just over 7 miles). Transport will be laid on (£5).
For details and to register please email jointhebigwalk@btinternet.com. The photo shows the view towards Dartmoor from near Clannaborough. St Petrock’s Church will be open on the day as part of Devon Historic Churches Day – well worth a visit!
Our next event is on Saturday 6th April
Big Walk 3 is from Newbridge to Chagford, around 16 miles. A shorter route, of around 7miles starting from Bennett’s Cross is also planned.
Assemble at Chagford Primary School from 9.00am – car parking on site – minibuses depart from the school at 9.30am and we aim to be walking out of Newbridge at or before 10.30am.
Once again there is no charge for joining us on a ‘Big Walk’, but there will be a charge of £7.00 to travel on the minibus.
Registration in advance is essential regardless of whether you will be using the transport we are organising.
Please register as soon as possible – and definitely no later than Sunday 31st March so that we can confirm transport arrangements and complete other plans to ensure the event goes off smoothly.
To register please e-mail jointhebigwalk@btinternet.com you will receive an acknowledgement and joining instructions.
Please feel free to pass on details to other walkers that you are in touch with – this event is not restricted to members of Ramblers, and we welcome individuals who don’t generally walk in groups, as past walkers can confirm.
Our first non-walking event is on Friday 7th June
The acclaimed folk duo (and walkers!) Ninebarrow are in concert at St Michael the Archangel, Chagford
Doors open 7.00pm, Concert starts 7.30pm
Tickets £10.00 (children £7.00) available :
From Sally’s Newsagents Chagford
Or by phone Tel. 01363 85370
Or from the Ninebarrow website (secure ticket sales site).
News from Holne, Dartmoor – November 2018
Unfortunately the Church House Inn (recently reopened for food and accommodation) has closed again.
Holne Community Shop and Tearoom is now operating winter opening hours. The shop is open daily 11am–5pm; the tearoom will be open on Saturday and Sundays 11am–5pm (closed on weekdays).
Tuesday 16 October – TMW Volunteeting Opportunity
‘Ditch Dig’ Scorriton, meeting at the bottom of Buckfastleigh West’s, Scorriton Lane (Two Moors Way) GR SX 704685, park in the village or the village hall. Meeting at 10.30am, clearing the essential drainage gullies with spades and shovels before winter! (10.30am–12.30pm)
All tools and gloves, and light refreshments are provided for the above activities. Please ‘dress for Dartmoor’ and bring a packed lunch and drink if you are joining us for the day. If you know that you have a friend coming along, please car share where possible.
No need to officially book, but if you know you are coming and want to let us know email ebriens@dartmoor-gov.uk Thank you from DNPA Rangers Ella and Andrea.
October 2018
Exciting things are happening in Witheridge in the Mid Devon section of the route!
Last week saw the launching of the newly enlarged and extended Witheridge Newsagents, suitably renamed the ‘Two Moors Store’.
It’s a real treasure trove: a versatile village shop, open every day, which stocks all manner of walker-friendly items: phone chargers, blister plasters, torches, maps, gloves, hats… plus hot drinks and snacks.
There’s inside seating too – a real bonus for weary walkers wanting to rest a while before pushing on. You’ll find your passport stamp here, and can get the latest news on Facebook @WitheridgeNewsagents.
On West Street you’ll find the Two Moors Way Gallery & Cafe, a lovely space with inside and outside seating which opened in June. It’s open from 9am–5pm on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday (The Mitre Inn in the village is shut on Mondays).
THE BIG WALK!
New Bridge to Ivybridge – Saturday 1 September 2018
The best things in life are free – and so is this walk!
Make your own way to New Bridge car park for 10.45am, or catch the minibus from Leonards Road car park (£2 all day) in Ivybridge, departing at 10am.
Outside The Watermark in Ivybridge (near the car park) there will be a chance to stock up on badges, guide books, T-shirts and other goodies from Two Moors Way Association volunteers.
There are three walks to choose from:
- ‘Fast’ group: c.15 miles New Bridge to Ivybridge, starts 10.45am
- ‘Sensible’ group: c.15 miles New Bridge to Ivybridge, starts 10.50am
- ‘Clever’ group (dropped off at Shipley Bridge) c.7 miles to Ivybridge, starts c.10.30am
If you would like to take part, contact Colinjjpiper@gmail.com stating your preferred walk. If you want a seat on the minibus, then please do a bank transfer for £6 to bank account 602140 90216164 and specify New Bridge and your name. This helps ensure that there will be enough minibuses to pick everyone up.
THE BIG WALK!
Wembury (or Yealmpton) to Ivybridge – Saturday 21 April 2018
The best things in life are free – and so is this walk!
Make your own way to Wembury Beach car park for 10.45am, or catch the coach from Leonards Road car park (£2 all day) in Ivybridge, departing at 10am.
At the car park there will be a chance to stock up on badges, guide books and other goodies from Two Moors Way Association volunteers.
There are three walks to choose from:
- ‘Fast’ group: 16.5 miles Wembury to Ivybridge, starts 10.45am
- ‘Sensible’ group: 16.5 miles Wembury to Ivybridge, starts 10.46am
- Yealmpton group (dropped off after Wembury drop) 9 miles to Ivybridge, starts c 11am
If you would like to take part, contact ColinJPiper@aol.com stating your preferred walk.If you want a seat on the coach, then please do a bank transfer for £6 to bank account 602140 90216164 and specify Wembury and your name. This helps ensure that a coach of the right size is there to pick everyone up.
Author of Two Moors Way guidebook interviewed – May 2017
Sue Viccars met Bob Cartwright of The Outdoors Station on the route at Holne on Dartmoor and chatted with him about all aspects walking the Two Moors Way/Devon Coast to Coast route. Listen to the full interview at http://toc.hipcast.com/deluge/No_435_Two_Moors_Way_Pt2.mp
The Outdoors Station is the longest-running independent UK outdoors podcast producer specifically aiming to service the interests of self-powered travellers, be they walkers, backpackers, cyclists, paddlers and more. Started in 2005 by Bob, a freelance producer, the 400+ library has now reached a world-wide audience of almost 10 million and seeks to share audio diary trips and interviews with others with varied interests, who have undertaken adventures of all sizes, to an audiences of any age. There are so many ordinary (non-celebrity) people doing really interesting things and who are happy to share their story. Each journey is different; sometimes it is for personal joy or a new life experience, and many times it is to help a charity close to their heart.
BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOPS – March/April/May 2017
We are holding free networking events (presentation and lunch) along the route, as follows:
Simonsbath House Hotel – Monday 27 March (attended by around 50 people and very successful)
The Drewe Arms, Drewsteignton – Tuesday 25 April (as above)
The Watermark Centre, Ivybridge – Monday 8 May (as above)
If you have a business on or near the route please come along to one of these events to learn how you can help promote this fabulous long-distance walk and benefit from an increasing number of walkers. For more information/to confirm your attendance please email ColinJPiper@aol.com.
The Sandy Park Inn reopens! – April 2017
The Sandy Park Inn, a minute or two off the route (at Sandy Park) between Chagford and Drewsteignton on the Dartmoor section of the route, has reopened for business (food, drink and accommodation).
New statue unveiled at Lynmouth – May 2017
On Monday 8 May Richard Graham’s statue of ‘The Walker’ was unveiled by John Craven on the North Devon coast (on the South West Coast Path). The statue –on the Esplanade at Lynmouth – marks the start/end of both the 51-mile Coleridge Way and the 117-mile Two Moors Way/Devon Coast to Coast path.
TWO MOORS WAY ‘VOLUNTEERS WELCOME’ DAY – Saturday 17 February 2018
10.30am–12.30pm The Hayridge Centre, 1 Exeter Hill, Cullompton EX15 1DJ
Join members of the Two Moors Way Association to find out how you can help support this inspirational walking route across Devon. A brief introduction will be followed by a showing of the video which highlights the route’s special qualities, and a talk on the work of the TMWA. We are looking for volunteers to help us in a number of areas – publicity, IT, path maintenance and so on – nothing too onerous or enormously time-consuming! For more information about the Volunteers Welcome Day (and to confirm your attendance) please email: ColinJPiper@aol.com.
TWO MOORS WAY ‘VOLUNTEERS WELCOME’ DAY – Saturday 4 November 2017
11am–2pm Chudleigh Town Hall TQ13 0HL
Join members of the Two Moors Way Association to find out how you can help support this inspirational walking route across Devon. A brief introduction will be followed by a showing of the video which highlights the route’s special qualities, and a talk on the work of the TMWA. We would be delighted if you would stay on for chat and networking over a buffet lunch. We are looking for volunteers to help us in a number of areas – publicity, IT, path maintenance and so on – nothing too onerous or enormously time-consuming! For more information about the Volunteers Welcome Day (and to confirm your attendance) please email: ColinJPiper@aol.com.
Trail improvements – July 2017
Work has been going on along the route over the summer to make things easier for walkers. A donation from Moorland Ramblers has enabled the replacement of stiles with gates between Holne and Newbridge, and path improvements have been carried out on a section of path on The Chains on Exmoor. Nearby a new bridge over the Hoaroak Water means that TMW walkers will at long last be able to keep their feet dry when crossing this often turbulent bit of water!
