Newton Abbot to Bickington River Lemon Walk
This waterside walk takes you along the River Lemon from Newton Abbot to Bickington in Devon.
The river is a tributary of the River Teign and runs for about 10 miles from Newton Abbot onto Dartmoor. On the way there's a series of old bridges, a noteworthy medieval house and some fine views of the surrounding Devon countryside.
You can start the walk in Newton Abbot and then head west towards Bradley Manor. This National Trust owned medieval limestone manor house is open to the public for a fee. You can explore the historic house with its original features, Tudor decorations and restored chapel. There's also some pleasant woodland trails around the natural limestone woodland of Bradley Woods.
The walk continues west past Emblett Hill to Chercombe Bridge, Holbeam Mill, Holbeam Dam and Morley Bridge. Here you leave the river and follow Holbeam Lane north east through woodland to Millcross Bridge.
The final section follows country lanes through Chipley before finishing at Bickington village. Here you can visit the 15th century church and the fine local pub.
River Lemon Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
River Lemon Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
River Lemon OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
River Lemon Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
In Bickington you can enjoy some post walk refreshments at the Dartmoor Halfway Inn. The inn was recently lovingly transformed from a derelict pub to a vibrant hub. Historically the inn was a 'Change Coaching House', providing a change of horses for coaches and carriages on the old turnpike road, where food and a bed for the night was also available. They serve traditional home cooked food and a great selection of local ales and ciders. Inside there is a cosy interior with a real fire while outside there's a nice garden area with views of the countryside.
You can find them at Ashburton Road with a postcode of TQ12 6JW for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The riverside and extensive woodland trails are ideal for dog walking. The Dartmoor Halfway Inn mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
You can pick up the Dartmoor Way near Bickington to extend the walk.
Decoy Country Park is located just south of the route and includes lakeside and woodland trails. Stover Country Park is a few miles to the north and can be reached on the Stover Canal from Newton Abbot.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Bradley Manor, Newton Abbot, Devon. The house is one of the most complete medieval manor houses in Devon. It contains a collection of Pre-Raphaelite art and Arts and Crafts furniture. There is also a small chapel consecrated in 1428. The house is located next to the river just west of Newton Abbot near the start of the walk.
Ramsons by the Lemon. We were rather hoping for drifts of bluebells in the evening sun, but these banks of wild garlic, rising in a slightly mysterious gloom from the river bank, almost made up for it. The beech and sycamore woods are climbing Emblett Hill.
Chercombe Bridge. Looking downstream with the River Lemon coloured brown following heavy rain.
Morley Bridge. A rather hazy evening sun illuminates part of the bridge carrying Littlejoy Road across the River Lemon. In the background is Morley.
River Lemon at Millcross Bridge. The river is about to pass under the A383.
Holbeam Dam. Viewed from upstream the picture shows the River Lemon flowing through this flood prevention dam. At times of extreme rainfall the sluice is closed to restrict the flow of the river.
Barn at Holbeam Mill
Cottage next to the church, Bickington