Our next walk starts from the car park near the Wellington Monument, visible from the M5. In response to some requests this walk is significantly flatter than our last on Exmoor, so no more complaints please.

Start: If coming from the west or east, we suggest you leave the M5 at Junction 26, and at the next roundabout towards Wellington, turn left signed to Exeter (A38), which will bypass the town of Wellington. After a couple of miles, the second turning on the left past the 40mph signs turn left (south) down Monument Road, signed "Wellington Monument 2". Climb the hill and at the top turn right then after just 150 yds turn into the poorly marked car-park on your right (see photo below). For the Boy Scouts amongst you the map ref is 144167. Meet 10.30.

To enlarge the map please click on the image:

Walk route:

From the car park we walk towards the monument, now alas under repair, but still with stunning views. Then walk through woods to the road where we plod for 10 minutes to enter more woods and a gentle incline till we burst into flat open heathland with blooming heather and suckling foals. The path leads onto a billiard flat ancient gallop, but not used by Martin Pipe's stables which lie just below the ridge.

We pause to admire Culmstock Beacon, built before the joys of telephones and the internet to give warning of perils from the Spanish Armada.

From here we retrace descending through lovely mature woods to farmland and back through more woods to the car park, via an ocrhard – though I hope the apples will be riper than the one that fell into my hand.

Afterwards we can drive three miles along the ridge to The Merry Harriers for beer, coffee or just a natter.

In total around six miles.

The ancient gallop (right), but not by this tired pony.

Below: I'd love to let the pack loose amongst this lot.