Mincinglake Walk

The Exeter Green Circle is a twelve-mile walk that provides a great walking experience within the boundaries of Exeter – from countryside valley parks to the pavements of quiet leafy suburbs.

This part of the Green Circle follows Mincinglake stream between its source in the rolling farmland north of Sylvania Park and on to the former village of Whipton. The walk includes Mincinglake Valley Park, a former landfill site, now an attractive countryside park managed by Devon Wildlife Trust, with butterfly-rich flower meadows. There are superb views down the Exe estuary to the sea from viewpoints near the route in the Valley Park.

Look out for the interpretation board with a map and points of interest along the Mincinglake Walk at Polsloe Bridge rail station, or download a copy here.

Directions from Polsloe Bridge Rail Station (anti-clockwise, south to north)

• From Polsloe Bridge station, turn right under bridge on Pinhoe Road
• Cross Pinhoe Rd at traffic lights at Beacon Lane junction. Turn left then right along path beside pub
• Footpath crosses straight over Beacon Avenue and under railway
• Straight up St Katherines Rd to cross Calthorpe Rd at central refuge into Mincinglake Valley Park
• Keep to main gravel track to left through Mincinglake Valley Park
• Cross Stoke Hill to bridleway opposite
• Keep to bridleway between houses and stream, turning left uphill after play area, then left at top of hill and left again (to avoid steep muddy bridleway, go left through play area to Stoke Valley Road. Turn right and up to Pennsylvania Rd)
• Emerge at junction of Pennsylvania Rd and Stoke Valley Rd

Here you will join the Hoopern Valley Walk, or catch the Stagecoach K bus back to Polsloe Station. Visit the Stagecoach Bus website for bus times.

Refreshment stops

There are several pubs and takeways close to Polsloe Bridge Station. Also not far from the station is St Katherine's Priory, a former Benedictine Nunnery founded in 1159. Here you'll find a community cafe open every Friday 10am - 2pm, within the beautiful historic building and gardens.

After passing through Mincinglake Valley Park, the route passes close to the Sylvania Community Stores and Cafe, a not-for-profit shop and cafe run by and for the community of Pennsylvania.