Malmsmead and The Doone valley

What a cracking day this turned out to be. I had been to this area before but, once down in The Brendon Valley, I had headed westwards to Rockford and Watersmeet instead of eastwards into The Doone Valley named after R.D. Blackmore's novel Lorna Doone.

The road leading down to Malmsmead, which sits at the start of the valley, was reached by the narrowest of roads with only a few passing place. The road followed Oare Water which for most of the way meandered through ancient woodlands which looked beautiful in the morning sun.

You either ford the river or cross the narrowest of packhorse bridges to arrive in Malmsmead; I chose the bridge but I wouldn't fancy doing that in a bigger car. The parking is National Trust and the warden told us the way in to the valley was up an enclosed country lane which was rather tiresome before dropping back down to the valley on another enclosed path to a farm. On our descent to the farm I noticed below there were people following the river back to the start so, once down, I investigated and there was a toll path following the river for a cost of 50p. Guess which route we took back?

You would expect the valley running through the Doone Valley to be called the River Doone but the valley name is totally made up. The river is called Badgworthy Water and begins life high up on Exmoor and then joins Oare water and flows in to The Bristol Chanel at Lynmouth. I have no idea how it got its name.

Due to my lack of energy and mobility, we just followed the river for a while and then retraced out steps back to the farm. Instead of following the farm track and road, we paid our 50p and strolled alongside the river back to Malmsmead. This proved to be a sound decision and this section proved to be the most beautiful part of our short walk.

Once back we hit The Buttery Cafe for coffee and a treat. Sitting out in the afternoon sun, in such beautiful surroundings was the perfect way to end our little adventure.