Best Devon Walks
 
Best Buckfastleigh Walks
 
4 TOP Walks
Walk 1 Buckfastleigh
 2.4 miles (1 hour)
 difficulty 2/4 (easy)
Walk 2 Buckfast Abbey to Holne
 6.5 miles (2h 40)
 difficulty 3/4 (challenging)
Walk 3 Town Trail
 1.2 miles (30 mins)
 difficulty 2/4 (easy)
Walk 4 Long Distance walk to Totnes
 8 miles (3h 20)
 difficulty 4/4 (challenging)
Nearby 

Buckfastleigh, a medieval market town, is a popular tourist attraction.The name implies 'a place where buck and deer were kept'.

Where to Eat?
Buckfast Abbey Restaurant
Point of InterestWhat to explore?
parking Buckfast Abbey Free Car Park
  
parkingSATNAV Postcode:TQ11 0EG
 
Tea Shop
more cream tea walks
Singing Kettle
 
 
Walk 1
Buckfastleigh (2.4 miles)
 MAP
Church Ruins
Church Ruins

Difficulty:

A very pleasant short walk to Buckfastleigh and the ruins of a church destroyed by fire. There is an option to see some cave entrances.

There are some steep steps to climb.

The Walk

A This short walk starts at Buckfast Abbey and after a steady climb turn left at the crossroads then first right as it descends into Buckfastleigh.

Buckfast Abbey 1829
Buckfast Abbey 1829

BThe village , according to White, had 'about 300 woolcombers, several corn mills, and four blanket and serge mills; and has quarries of limestone and a sort of black marble.

C There are still 4 pubs in Buckfastleigh. The walk passes the famous Valiant Soldier, a place where time stood still; it was closed in the 1960s.

D Continue and cross a bridge across the Mardle. Next, turn left onto a public footpath and up some fairly steep steps .

E The parish Church (Holy Trinity) stands on an eminence, ascended by 144 steps, and is a large antique structure, which has been restored and beautified since June, 1844.'
Unfortunately most of the church was destroyed in a fire on 21st July 1992.
You can still see the now metal barred tomb of the Cabells.

  
Arthur Conan DoyleSir Arthur Conan Doyle was inspired to write the 'Hound of the Baskervilles' after visiting the tomb of the Cabells.
 more historic walks

From here you can see the caves of Higher Kiln Quarry  . Route shown from centre of church.

Map of Higher Kiln Caves
Map Of Higher Kiln Caves

FThe caves are maintained by the Devon Wildlife Trust and not open to the public.

Download route for Mobile / GPS

 

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Walk 2
Buckfast Abbey to Holne (6.5 miles)
  MAP

Difficulty:Church House Inn Holne

Church House Inn Holne

A longer but equally delightful walk follows the Dartmoor Way & Two Moor Way.The fauna can be stunning with yellow flags & blue bells in late spring.

busy trafficPart of the Dartmoor way follows a relatively busy country lane.
Where to Eat?
Church House Inn, Holne

Church House Inn at Holne has real character and is well worth a visit. This pub has recently been reopened but do check for possible closure.

Danny La RueHolne is the birthplace of Charles Kingsley, author of Westward Ho! & the Water Babies
 more historic walks

. Restaurant, Buckfast Abbey

 

Download Walk 2 GPX for Mobile / GPS

 

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Walk 3
 Town Trail (1.2 miles)
  MAP

Difficulty:

This is one of our 'Thirty Minute Walks'
Fore Street,Buckfastleigh
Fore Street,Buckfastleigh

A pleasant walk to explore the charm of Buckfastleigh.

parking Buckfastleigh Mardle Way P&D Car Park
  
parkingSATNAV Postcode:TQ11 0AA

 

Walk 4
Long Distance walk to Totnes (8 miles)
  MAP
Totnes High Street
Totnes High Street

Difficulty:

Using mainly quiet lanes and public footpaths this pleasant walk via Staverton and Dartington Cyder Press connects the Dartmoor Way with the John Musgrave Heritage Trail.

More details

 Walks near Buckfastleigh
 
Ashburton
 
 
One of our most popular walks following part of the Dartmoor Way along the river Ashburn.
 
Hembury Woods
 
 
Two delightful walks through this ancient oak wood and along a most enchanting stretch of the river Dart - a key attraction in Victorian Times!
 
New Bridge
 
 
Explore a most idyllic and romantic landscape and enjoy a paddle in the Dart or a picnic nearby!
 
Dartington
 
 
Four top scenic walks of different lengths exploring a region that has attracted artists, musicians and walkers alike.