Alphin Brook Walk

This part of the Green Circle follows the valley of the Alphin Brook. The upper section of the brook flows through rich agricultural land separated from the city by a ridge of hills. As it reaches the Exe valley the brook is tamed in a modern channel to prevent it flooding the old village of Alphington and its modern neighbour, the industrial estate of Marsh Barton.

Discover views and locations that are all part of Exeter but which often seem miles from a city.

Directions to the Alphin Brook Walk from Marsh Barton Rail Station (clockwise, west to east):

• Turn left out of the train station, then left again onto Grace Road South
• Continue straight through the gate, and turn right onto the path beside the Alphin Brook
• At the next gate, cross the road and turn left over Hennock Road bridge to the other side of the stream. Turn right through the gate to continue along the path
• Follow the path up Clapperbrook Lane, to Alphington Church and war memorial
• Cross Dawlish Road and Chudleigh Road to reach Ide Lane, beside the New Inn pub
• Follow Ide Lane, turning left at the school, until you reach the roundabout at the junction of the A30 / A377
• Take care as you cross the A377, then turn left to follow the signs onto the footpath beside Oaklands Riding School
• You’ll pass through two gates on the path beside the Riding School. Continue straight on after the second gate, to reach a third gate onto another footpath
• Take the next right across the narrow bridge and through the gate into the field
• After crossing the field, at the next gate cross the lane onto the footpath up a steep hill
• Turn right to continue up the hill along the footpath
• Turn left at the four-way junction of footpaths
• Follow Hambeer Lane to the junction with Little John’s Cross Hill and Dunsford Road
• Cross the road onto Barley Lane. This is where the Redhills Walk begins!

If you don’t wish to continue along the Green Circle route, you can either walk down Dunsford Road back to St Thomas Rail Station (approximately 20 minutes' walk), or catch the P bus from here to Cowick Street, to access Exeter city centre by bus or St Thomas Rail Station. Visit the Stagecoach Bus website for bus timetables.

Accessibility

The first section of the Alphin Brook Walk from Marsh Barton Rail Station is along roads and fairly flat footpaths. There are several gates which are accessible by wheelchair or pushchair. Once you reach the junction of the A30 / A377 the route becomes less easily accessible, with steep hills, kissing gates and rough paths.

From Marsh Barton Rail Station, you can also access the Ludwell Valley Walk, which is more easily accessible by wheelchair or pushchair. 

Refreshment stops

Just under one mile / 15 minutes' walk from Marsh Barton Rail Station is the Double Locks, a waterside, dog-friendly pub with a huge beer garden.

The Alphin Brook Walk passes through the village of Alphington, where you'll find the New Inn Pub, or several shops to pick up picnic items. Further along the route, a short detour will take you to the Twisted Oak Pub, which gets its name from the nearby ancient oak tree with a twisted trunk!