Totnes via Dartington, Staverton and Littlehempston on a Tandem
A gentle 12.5 mile circuit, almost all along safe cycle paths or quiet lanes, through some of Devon's most beautiful countryside.
Start at Steamer Quay in Totnes map OL 20 SX 808602 and turn left out of the car park then left again across the bridge. At the roundabout turn right and look out for the cycle path on your right, which takes you through the industrial estate, past the health centre and playing fields and then left signposted to Dartington. The path then joins the Cider Press centre, at which point follow the cycle way signs to Huxham's Cross. This path crosses the A384 but then follows a newly constructed path through fields to Huxham's Cross. At this point cross back over the A384 and take the quiet lane opposite to Staverton Bridge. Cross the railway line and head towards Staverton then keep right at Copper Tree Cross, following the signs to Littlehempston.
This circuit is particularly good for pubs; one in every village but on this occasion we were keen to look at the proposed route for a cycle path from Littlehempston to Totnes, so we headed down towards the start of the route at the South West Water Treatment Works. This path would be so much safer than the route we were eventually forced to take, along the busy A381.
I am always surprised at the way cycle routes are obstructed by a vocal minority who claim that they will lead to increasing vandalism or the threat of invasion by the lycra masses. In reality they provide a boost to the local economy with Green Tourism and improve the health and happiness of all who use them. I hope South West Water will allow a survey of their land to at least look at the feasibility of this route, without which this circuit from Totnes will never be safe enough for children.
Back in Totnes, where better on a lovely spring day, than the Waterside Bistro to have lunch and read the papers beside the river Dart?
