Culmstock Beacon – A Devon Hill Walk

Culmstock Beacon

Nestled in a region of East Devon that most people drive straight by, the Blackdown Hills is an area of outstanding beauty. Flanked a few miles away to the north by the M5 motorway, tourists race by towards the more well known attractions of South Devon or Cornwall.

 Meanwhile locals often favour the East Devon coast or more well known walks in the area like Wellington Monument or Castle Neroche. I’ve enjoyed a walk up to Culmstock Beacon twice now and on each occasion only seen a handful of other walkers. It offers a choice of walks and starting points depending on how much up hill you want!

What is Culmstock Beacon?

Culmstock Beacon is one of very few beehive shaped stone beacons that are remaining (although this one has been restored). It was first built in the Elizabethan times as a chain of fire Beacons ready to warn London of the impending arrival of the Spanish Armada. Locally there is another beehive beacon hidden in Shute Woods near Axminster and a pole beacon at  Thorncombe Beacon near Bridport, The chain went all the way to London to warn Elizabeth 1 of the invasion.

A pole would have gone up through the roof supporting a fire basket and the windows are aligned with other Beacon points. Once a fire was seen at another beacon, it would have been lit, and this happened on in 1588. The beacons were lit again to celebrate the victory of Sir Francis Drake and have been used to mark other significant occasions.

Views from Culmstock Beacon

This Beacon site, 250 metre above sea level, offers fabulous views looking south over the Culm Valley and the the quaint villages of Culmstock and Hemyock, which also happens to be where my grandmother was born. I’ve not been there for sunset but imagine it would be a great spot for that too.

Known as Black Down Common, the area offers a choice of walks although generally you will need to start in the valley and walk up using a mix of footpaths, bridle ways and country lanes. In winter it can be muddy so make sure you have appropriate footwear. 

Culmstock Beacon Circular Walks

Wherever you start, there are no formal car parks so considerate parking is essential along the country lanes.

Option 1 ~ short circular walk from Culmstock 3 miles

For this walk I started at the far North end of the village of Culmstock, finding a place to park past the Culm Valley Inn and village school on Hunters Hill. If you continue on there is a children’s play park with some parking next to it. What 3 Words  link here.

After parking follow the lane straight ahead (the main lane veers off to the left). You can see the hill and Beacon in front so go in that direction for about 1/2 mile along the road. You’ll pass a footpath sign on your left and you can take this option up to the Beacon when the fields are dry. I carried on until seeing a gate and step track heading up hill to the left. This is an access road for the water works and the mobile phone tower. It’s a fairly strenuous few hundred meters up hill.

Nearly at the Top

Nearly at the top there are choice of routes up to the actual Beacon following footpath signs. Head straight on ahead where there’s a section of boardwalks and then a track cut into the hill.  At the top of the hill you’ll need to turn left (west) to find the Beacon.

Alternatively bear left at the top of the track and after about 100metres there’s a sharp right and a steep walk up to the Beacon.

Extending the Walk (5-6 miles)

On our walk (see the route map) we explored the common and then followed a footpath to the north which then went through woods along a footpath. This brought us to a country lane, we turned right and followed for 500 metres, then we turned right again back towards the Beacon (off Wrangway Road) heading past Crossways Farm following a footpath sign.

From here either head straight on up following the footpath which then brings you back to the Beacon (and return the same route as you started). For an even longer walk we turned left into the Forestry Commission woods and then dropped back down into Culm Davy and followed the footpaths and lanes back to Culmstock, about 6 miles in total.

alternative Short Family Friendly Walk

I have added another map showing an alternative route and parking location for a short walk.

If you approach the Beacon area from Wellington Monument you can park off the road near Crossways Farm.  Take the footpath straight up hill past the farm and this leads onto the Beacon area.  You can return the same way (about 3 miles) or find the footpath back through the woods as described in the first description.

This map show a suggested route for walk around Culmstock Beacon starting in Culmstock which is about 6 miles. I have also linked to OS maps here for the same starting point short version from Culmstock. 

This is a suggested route for short 3 mile walk around Culmstock Beacon starting near Wellington Monument.

Summary

If you like exploring as much as I do then you will enjoy this walk to Culmstock Beacon. You need a good sense of direction or a map to help you. I am a big fan of OS Maps but have also spotted a route recorded on All Trails called Blackdown Common Circular if you use that app.

Don’t forget to make use of the local options for refreshments in the area such as the pub in Culmstock and also a lovely cafe.

Check out more walks like this on this website.