Offwell Woods Nr Honiton, a very rewarding circular walk of around 6.5 miles / 10.46km approx.

Do you need walking gear? Check out Amazon for walking poles

There are steep hills to contend with initially but it’s all worthwhile for what awaits you at Offwell Woods. What is different here is that there is an education centre, while not open to the public, it is used by local schools and organisations. There are however, benches to rest on while one takes in the fabulous surroundings and spends a little time observing the wildlife around the ponds.

We start this walk in Honiton, leave the car at home or in a local car park. Begin in New Street by walking towards the train station and continuing on up Church Hill to St Michael’s Church. History link

There is a bench at the top of the hill allowing for a quick break and some rather nice views.

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At the top of the hill turn left and then cross the road and walk up Lower Marlpits Hill. It’s all quite steep but gets much easier once you turn left into Cuckoo Down Lane (map), at the end of this lane there is a fork where you need to turn right. Keep on walking to where the road turns right and you will see a public footpath on the left, take this and go over the style then continue straight.

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At the other end there is another style to your right, go over this and continue immediately left past the farm buildings, over another style and past a static caravan towards the house. As you approach the house just walk left to leave the drive and emerge into a lane where you need to turn right (Public Bridalway).

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Carry on down the lane which sweeps off to the right and transforms into woodland, this is Colwell Wood, follow the path down to where there is a footpath on the bend – take this and follow it as it winds itself to a cross road, turn left for Offwell Woods.

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The Forestry Commission, in partnership with the Offwell Woodland and Wildlife Trust manage this woodland.

Colwell Woods are private but as the public footpath winds around it at the bottom of the hill one can’t help but notice the solitary house. Colwell Cottage as it is known has been here since the time of Napoleon and has been owned and lived in by many powerful people. There is a book about it, details here on Amazon.

GPX FILE Here