Devon

Branscombe historic walk

The small orchard at Branscombe next to the Old Bakery tea-room — The orchard is planted with many old English varieties | © National Trust/Eric McDonald

Discover the history of the beautiful village of Branscombe on this short circular walk, taking in a watermill and orchards, with links to a little-known Welsh saint and Queen Victoria's wedding, and an option to detour to the beach.

Near to

Branscombe

Start point

Branscombe National Trust car park, Branscombe, near Seaton, Devon EX12 3DB. Grid ref: SY197886

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)

Duration 20 mins to 50 mins

Dog friendly***

*Steep and rocky in places. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Please keep dogs on lead in the garden of the Old Bakery Cafe, in the orchard and on the beach. When walking on the coast path be aware to keep your dog on a lead near cliff edges. Please look out for seasonal signs advising you where livestock is present in the countryside around Branscombe. Dogs are not allowed in the forge or Manor Mill.

Dogs
Dogs are welcome, under close control, except in the forge and mill.
Car park
Small National Trust Car park available free of charge to National Trust members. This car park has only 6 spaces and is often full. Alternative parking available next door in the Village Hall car park, donations in the well please.
Toilet
Public toilets at the back of the village hall (not National Trust) and when the Old Bakery tea-room is open, there are toilets beside the information centre.
Tea-room
Old Bakery tea-room (not National Trust)
Pub
There are 2 pubs in Branscombe village: The Masons Arms and The Fountain Head.
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Branscombe National Trust car park, Branscombe, near Seaton, Devon EX12 3DB. Grid ref: SY197886
Stage 1
From the car park carefully cross the road and go through the gate opposite, passing the information point and some toilets. Follow the path through the orchard and past the Old Bakery tea-room. Cross over a field and walk along beside the millstream, known locally as a leat. The orchard on your right hand side is Branscombe's Millennium Orchard.
Stage 2
At the far side of the leat field, you'll find the National Trust's Manor Mill, a working watermill. Check the website for up-to-date opening times for the Mill. Turn right at Manor Mill and head up the hill, along a farm track and then through the fields. Be careful here, it's very steep and can get slippery in wet or cold weather. Go up the flight of steps until you reach a bridle path.
Stage 3
Turn right and follow the bridlepath through the woods. If you want a longer walk, you can turn left here to go to the coast and beach.
Stage 4
Turn down the hill and carry on carefully down another steep slope until you reach the church.
Stage 5
Branscombe church is a fine example of 14th-century architecture. After the church, walk down the road past a row of thatched cottages. When you get to the end of the cottages, turn left and walk up the small lane until you reach Branscombe school. We built a new path from the school to the car park in 2009, so that young children didn't have to walk up the road. Follow the path back to the car park to complete your walk.
Branscombe church
The church is dedicated to a little-known Welsh saint, St Winifred, who died in 650AD. There was already a church in existence then, and certainly by the Middle Ages, when the church was noted to belong to Exeter Cathedral. There are possible remains of early 11th-century walls within the lower tower, which dates back to Norman times. Look for fragments of late 15th-century wall paintings, 17th-century wooden screen and altar rails and a rare 18th-century three-decker pulpit.
End point
Branscombe National Trust car park, Branscombe, near Seaton, Devon EX12 3DB. Grid ref: SY197886
Trail map
Map route for Branscombe Historical Walk | © © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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The stream that runs the waterwheel for Manor Mill

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