East Devon Walks – Hartridge Common
Hartridge Hill is one of the quiet giants of the Otter Valley, an elongated, peat-topped ridge that rises to around 261 metres and forms part of the upland spine between Luppitt, Beacon and Dumpdon Hill. Mostly given over to fields and grazing, it feels wilder than the map suggests, with huge skies, far-reaching views and a strong sense of being on the roof of East Devon. At its southern tip the Ordnance Survey marks a tumulus, a prehistoric burial mound that hints at how long people have used this ridge as a lookout over the surrounding countryside. It is a rewarding choice for anyone seeking peaceful East Devon walks, offering a quieter alternative to more familiar routes closer to the coast.
Unlike coastal paths or waymarked honeypot routes, Hartridge Hill and the neighbouring Hartridge Common remain relatively little visited. Lanes are narrow, waymarks are sparse and much of the land is privately owned farmland, but a network of public rights of way and permissive paths skirts the ridge and links into the quiet hamlet of Beacon below the southern end. From the higher stretches, you can pick out Dumpdon Hill across the valley, the patchwork of fields and hedgerows around Honiton and, on a clear day, the further ridges of the Blackdown Hills National Landscape.
This circular walk makes the most of those rights of way, tracing lanes and tracks around Hartridge Hill and Hartridge Common and passing close to Beacon on the way. It offers a mix of open ridge views, traditional Devon farmland and peaceful, hedged lanes with very little traffic. The route suits walkers who enjoy quieter, more rural paths; families with older children and confident dog walkers will also enjoy it, provided dogs stay on a lead near livestock and during the nesting season. Taken at a steady pace, it makes an unhurried half-day outing and works well with a visit to nearby Honiton, and by way of a short and quiet lane between the two could be combined with our separate walk on Dumpdon Hill.
More about the Luppitt Commons
The Luppitt Commons form one of the most distinctive landscapes in East Devon, combining upland grazing, heathland, wet moor and long views across the Otter Valley. If you would like to explore their history, wildlife and management in more detail, the Luppitt Landscape website provides an excellent overview.
Practicalities
- Start: From position A on the map below. To get there, first find the hamlet of Beacon (EX14 4TT), follow the minor road that runs North-West, immediately beneath Hartridge Hill & Common, which rises behind the hamlet. Follow this, keeping the hill on your right, taking the first fork to the right, where, after a short while, you will find a small parking place – Grid Reference ST180067 – What3Words blemishes.others.overused
- Difficulty: Easy – level, elevated walk crossing fields in places so unsuitable for pushchairs in parts
- Length: 3.2 km (2 miles), 45–75 minutes
- Parking: Roadside, directions above – Grid Reference ST180067 – What3Words blemishes.others.overused
- Public Transport: Honiton is the nearest town with rail and bus links; no direct service to Hartridge Common
- Nearest Town: Honiton, Devon
- Facilities: None; cafés, shops, and toilets available in Honiton. The Luppit Inn in nearby Luppit.
- Dog Friendly Walk: Yes, but dogs must be on a lead around livestock and during the nesting season
- Maps: Ordnance Survey Explorer 115 or Landranger 192. The OS App is also useful for following paths and contours
- Best for: views, dog walkers (livestock likely – keep dogs on leads), quiet nature
If you are planning a wider trip, you may also find our guides helpful:
• Things to Do in Honiton
• East Devon Travel Guide
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Map
Route Description
From the small car park at position A, walk through the gate onto a permissive path, often through an open field with sheep, and walk along the obvious farm track and lane. Eventually, you will have a hedge and trees to your left with glimpses across the Otter Valley and the open fields of Hartridge Hill to your right.
Continue South for just less than a mile, where you will find yourself above the hamlet of Beacon with views across to Dumpdon Hill. The track ahead goes downhill to the village, and from here you could walk the short distance along a quiet lane to combine the walk with Dumpdon Hill Fort.
Otherwise, keep the high ground and bear right to a gate into a field, which the permissive path crosses. Follow this footpath East and then North, where you will find, on a clear day, views South West towards Honiton and West across the Blackdown Hills, and the village of Luppit.
The footpath is slightly rougher now and eventually crosses an open common before returning to the start point A where you will find two or three benches with superb views – ideal for a picnic or flask of coffee.
Practical Information
• Parking is limited – avoid blocking gates
• Lanes are narrow with few passing places
• No facilities on site
• Dogs welcome but must be kept on a lead around livestock
• Footpaths can be slippery after rain
• Mobile signal varies
Why Walk Here?
Although this is a short, family-friendly walk, you may find it takes longer than expected simply because the views are so good. On a clear day, the landscape opens out in every direction, offering a peaceful and unspoiled backdrop that feels surprisingly remote for somewhere only 20 minutes from Honiton. Like its near neighbour, Dumpdon Hill, Hartridge Hill is very much an off-the-beaten-track place to visit, whether you are exploring the Honiton area, planning a longer day out, or simply looking for a quiet hour or two in the great outdoors.
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