Bridestowe to Roadford Reservoir Cycle Route - 21 miles

Cycle Waypoints

1. 1 From the centre of Bridestowe head north up to the main road and turn right.
2. 2 After 200m turn left signposted Trescote Way.
3. 3 Turn left at Catsmore Cross, signposted Ebsworthy Town.
4. 4 At Way crossroads, go straight over the staggered crossroads and then left at the T-junction signposted Lewdown.
5. 5 After a sharp dip, turn right at Tubbs (signposted Germansweek) and go down a steep hill (take care), over the River Thrushel, under the A30 and climb on the same road to Gaddacombe Cross.
6. 6 Bear left follwing signs to Broadwoodwidger.
7. 7 Turn right and go over the dam past Roadford Lake. There is a car park on your right where you can stop for superb views of the reservoir. There is also a cafe and gift shop, a visitor centre and public toilets. Walks around the reservoir can be followed, and various watersports and outdoor activities are on offer here. Contact the South West Lakes Trust on 01566 784859 for more information.
8. 8 Turn left and go through Broadwoodwidger towards Lifton and down the hill.
9. 9 At the T-junction turn right towards Stowford.
10. 10 Cross over the A30 on the road bridge.
11. 11 After around one kilometre, cross over a river, climb the steep hill and turn left, following the signs to Portgate.
12. 12 At Portgate, cross over the main road, and descend to the Lyd Valley.
13. 13 After around two miles, turn left at the crossroads, signposted to Lewdown.
14. 14 Continue for two miles to Lewtrenchard, turning right at the signpost to Lew Mill.
15. 15 Go past the church and Lewtrenchard Manor. This was originally Lew House, a small 16th Century manor house. Sabine Baring-Gould inherited the estate in 1872 and settled there in 1881 when he enlarged the house using his own designs, into an E shaped Jacobean Manor. Adjacent to the house, alongside the road is an unusual half-conical dovecote which was also designed by Baring-Gould.
16. 16 Continue on the road for around one kilometre through the woods, then turn right signposted Lew Mill.
17. 17 On your left after you go down the hill, you will see the Dower House which was built in 1664 (see the date in the window) although it may be up to 100 years older. The cross upright was found nearby and erected here in around 1900, and dates back to the 13th Century. Cross the river, bear left and continue for 1 mile through Beechcombe Farm to the T-junction.
18. 18 At the T-junction turn left signposted Lydford.
19. 19 Immediately after, turn left.
20. 20 Follow over the crossroads at Watergate, following signs for Bridestowe.
21. 21 After climbing to the top of the lane, turn left following signs for the descent back into Bridestowe.