| The starting point for the trek is Brendon Village
Hall car park, situated at the far end of the picturesque
village of Brendon at the heart of the Exmoor National
Park. Brendon is a lovely whitewashed and thatched village
set in the valley of the East Lyn river surrounded by
forest sided valleys. The valleys surrounding Brendon
are made famous by the romantic novel Lorna Doone by
R D Blackmore and this unique area of Exmoor is known
as Doone Country. It is easy to see what captured the
heart and mind of Blackmore as this is a truly unspoiled
and beautiful area.
| 
Brendon Village Track |
East Lyn River Footpath |
From the Brendon Village Hall car park follow the road
into the village, passing the Millslade Country House
Hotel on your right. This ideally located white building
was once owned and run by my own grandparents and was
home to my father for many years as a child. As you
enter the village you will see the Stag Hunters Hotel
on your right which was also owned by my family for
a while. The village has a few craft shops and a great
little art gallery with oil paintings of the surrounding
area. Follow the road through to the end of the village
where you will find a stone bridge that crosses the
East Lyn river.
Cross the bridge and at the T junction follow the road
left until the road takes a sharp turn to the right
at which point take the track leading straight off the
bend, this will lead you through a gorgeous meadow to
a private farm which the National Trust path to Mill
Wood cuts through. After passing the farm you will start
to enter Mill Wood. The path will run along side the
East Lyn river which is an abundance of wildlife and
absolutely gorgeous. This path is now part of a the
long distance Samaritans Way.
| 
East Lyn in the woods |
Brown Trout |
After Mill Wood keep heading South West along the obvious
path. You will now come to Wilsham Wood. In the river
below just near the start of Wilsham Wood, Otters are
often seen playing in the river so be cautious and quiet
and wait a while and you never know. Wilsham Wood like
most of this walk is protected by the National Trust
and is well kept, these wood's are full of rare species
and some of the oldest trees in the country. When the
path leaves the river for short spells it is often because
the river goes through a gorge or waterfalls so if you
feel adventurous and hear fast flowing water then don't
be afraid to venture off the path for a short while
in search of some awesome wild river scenes that are
hidden away.
| 
Samaritans Way |
East Lyn at Ash Bridge
|
After the bend in the river you will see the small
hamlet of Rockford on the other side of the river. There
is also a house here that is built on the side of the
river, it is like a dream house and its location and
keeping will make you green with envy. Keep on the path
as it follows the river north. You will reach an opening
on the river where the footbridge of Ash Bridge crosses
to a path on the other side. The view of this bridge
is well worth a photo. However come back off the bridge
and continue on the same side of the river, it will
now bend to the left and the path will now start to
steadily climb higher.
The path reaches the highest point of the walk as the
river continues to tumble down the valley below the
cliffs next to the path. The path will start to ascend
now and eventually meet the river again now running
through Barton Wood. After a mile or so you will reach
Watersmeet.
| 
Grey Wagtail |
Chiselcombe Bridge |
Watersmeet House which sits on the bank of the river
where it joins Hoar Oak Water, is now National Trust
shop with refreshments and information. Originally a
19th century fishing lodge, Watersmeet is now a hub
for several of Exmoor's most beautiful walks and can
be very popular with walkers and tourists during the
summer months.
This is the end of the walk but there is plenty to
see around this small area. Cross the bridge over the
joining rivers and you see an awesome waterfall on Hoar
Oak Water just before it joins the East Lyn. Continue
on the path down the East Lyn for half a mile and you'll
reach the lovely Chiselcombe Bridge, rebuilt in 1957
after being washed away in the horrific 1952 great flood
of Lynmouth. Look into the pool down below and you'll
see plenty of trout in the river. Also take a look around
Watersmeet House itself and read up on the history and
wildlife of the East Lyn valley.
| 
Hoaroak Waterfalls |
East Lyn at Watersmeet |
To finish the walk simply follow the route back to
Brendon, you'll be surprised how different some of the
scenery is on the way back and have of course double
your chances of spotting some great wildlife!
|
Duration
: 3.5 Hrs
