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Tiverton Pony Club

Geography
Last updated 14th June 2005

Approaching from either direction the site is unmistakable: a flat field with an entry gate immediately next to the road, in which the paraphernalia of the event is easily visible from the road.

Alternatively approach this road via Sampford Peverell, eastbound.

Either way head north up this road toward Holcombe Rogus and Trumps. Go over the crossroads in Trumps village, and head up the hill on the other side. The road does a dogleg left/right, and about 100 yards later Butteridge farm is on both sides of the road.

Immediately after the village sign there is a layby and a pink thatched cottage. Turn left (south) between these and enter the open car park immediately ahead of you. The village hall is on the edge of the car park. (If you get to the church you have gone too far.)

Note that you can't get to Chevithorne directly from the A361, despite its proximity; and while you could go via Bolham (on the A396 north from Tiverton) it will mean negotiating some steep and narrow roads that can be surprisingly busy since they are the route to Knightshayes (National Trust) house.

Alternatively you can come north from Sampford Peverell across country from the roundabout over the A361 just west of the M5, or from Uplowman - experts with a map only in either case.

To be honest you'll probably need a map (1:50000) for this one anyway!

Note that there is no direct access to Uplowman from the A361 link road. You need to approach from Sampford Peverell (from the South), or Tiverton (from the west). Access from the North is distinctly cross-country.

From Tiverton on A361 take left turn at Stonelands Cross, at T junction go right, then take first left for Nomansland, follow this road for two and a half miles (approx) and take third right at Elworthy Cross, then take second right at Downe Cross. Downe Farm is approx 400 yds along on right hand side.

From the B3137 Witheridge road out of Tiverton turn right (North) after about 7.5 miles at Mudford Gate. Continue for about a mile, bear right at Looseland Cross, then left after 250 yards, then straight over the crossroads. Fernlea farm is about 400 yards on the right.

After about 1/4 mile bear right at Cruwys Morchard, then after a further 1/4 mile turn right towards Pennymoor. Go over the crossroads in the centre of Pennymoor, turn right at the bend after 200 yards, and Forke Farm is the first turning on the right after about another 600 yards. (For those used to more cultural landmarks, it is exactly 1/2 mile beyond the pub in the centre of Pennymoor!)

Continue into Culmstock village (taking care on some of the bends, where the road is about 1.5 cars wide!), and continue over the bridge and approach the rise to the south of it. This rise forms a crossroads: turn left (east) and wind your way past the Church and out of the village. Fry's farm is about 1/4 mile after the Church on the left of the road.

Without a horsebox/trailer: At the cross-roads at the bottom of the hill about 1.5 miles beyond Withleigh (see the map) you can turn sharp left up a steep and narrow road then turn sharp left after about 500 yards down the lane to the farm.

With a box or trailer don't try this! Go about another mile west towards Witheridge, then turn left to Cruwys Morchard. Avoid the village centre by continuing south for about 1/2 mile, then turn left. Then follow the road eastwards as before.

Groubear farm is on the left at the bottom of a steep (but well-surfaced lane) on the left.

In either event you'll need a map - but note that with a vehicle you cannot turn left (south) in Withleigh itself and take what appears to be the shortest route to the farm from the B3137. That route is navigable on horseback or on foot only.

From the M5 leave at J26 and, at the south side of the motorway take the tiny road south. After about a mile turn left towards Ford Street and continue as above.

From the A361 link road: take the east exit to Tiverton (A396). Go over a small roundabout, then after about 400 yards turn right (signposted Exeter, Bickleigh, A396) at a second roundabout. After about 150 yards turn left onto Canal Hill, then proceed as above.

After about 5.5 miles, about 2 miles beyond Withleigh, turn right (North) at the crossroads towards Templeton. After about 1/2 mile, at Partridge Cross, there is a turning left to Partridge Farm, and Meadow View is exactly opposite that. If you have a trailer/horsebox note that the road up from the B3137 is steep and winding, you may prefer an alternative route - see below.

From the Rackenford road out of Tiverton:

If you do not have a trailer/horsebox turn left in Calverleigh (about 2 miles out of Tiverton), signposted Templeton, and continue about 2.5 miles. At the crossroads (by Temple Cross farm) turn left (South) to Templeton.

If you do have a trailer/horsebox do not take the Calverleigh route, it's a steep single-track road with almost nowhere to pass. Instead continue up the Rackenford road for about another 3 miles, then take the left (south) turn to Templeton

From the A361 link road:

Take the turning signposted Rackenford & Loxbeare (to the south, approximately 5 miles out of Tiverton). Once on the Rackenford road turn left and take the second (after about a mile) turning right (South) to Templeton.

Once you reach Templeton (by whatever means!) continue south through the village and about 1/4 mile out the other side Meadow View is at Partridge Cross, exactly at the turning off to Partridge Farm.

From Junction 28 of M5 (Cullompton) at the top of the slip road go left, (past Mole Valley). Follow that road approx 1 mile and go right at Post Cross. Carry along this road for 2-3 miles or so, go straight over two crossroads, follow the road left through and around the farm and Mutterton Cottage is next on the left, a cottage on the road on a bend.

Alternatively you can come cross-country from the west via Silverton and Killerton. You'll need a map, and the roads are narrow, but there are no steep hills.

Note that while Newhall is right next to the motorway the nearest junction is Cullompton (J28), and that there is only limited access to/from the M5 at junction 29. Also the J29/J30 interchange has changed recently: if your map is earlier than 2000 it may not show the junction with the A30 correctly. For an online map of the dog's dinner that is now J29 click here.

Go up there and, after about 150 yards, turn left between Church Hall yard and the Church itself. Continue down this lane, round several sharp bends, till you come to a large field on your right with a dutch barn at its end. If you have a horsebox/trailer it is better to unload here and walk down to the farmyard, as the last section is steep and narrow.

Access is best from the B3181 Exeter/Broadclyst/Cullompton road. Immediately south of where this crosses the M5 south of Broadclyst turn north towards Poltimore. The turning for the arena is about 1 mile up the road on the right, marked by a small sign with horses. (If you reach Poltimore village you have gone too far north.)

The route from the A396 Tiverton/Exeter road at Stoke Canon is not recommended: steep narrow roads, confusing and/or missing rural signposts.

Coming west out of Norton Fitzwarren turn left (south) to Allerford, and after about 3/4 mile turn right. Continue straight for about 1/2 mile and the road takes a sharp bend to the left. The drive to Pontispool farm is about 75 yards further on the right, and the farm is 200 yards down the drive.

Coming east (from Wiveliscombe) turn right (south) to Oake about 2 miles after the Milverton roundabout. Go through Oake village and take the 2nd left (east) turn, about 3/4 mile from the B3227, towards Allerford. Bear left after about 500 yards, and after about another 1000 yards turn left into the drive to Pontispool Farm just before the road bends sharp left into Allerford village.

Note: there is no vehicular access over or under the link road from the south, you have to be on the A361.

The Rose and Crown stables are immediately beyond (west of) the pub on the right (north) side of the road, and it has a sign.

The stables provide riding lessons for beginners upwards, and also livery for horses and ponies. Contact Mrs Gillian Tucker (01884 252060) for more details.

It is easily visible from the road, and will be recognisable by the paraphernalia associated with the event.

It can be approached from the main road at East Barton farm, but beware that the drive is steep, poorly surfaced and has a tight bend. It is generally better to approach from above via Seven Crosses: from the one-way system around West Exe in Tiverton turn left to Cotteylands and then continue up the hill. You'll need a map if you haven't done this before: Southwood is marked on the 1:50000 map. Note that when you have turned into Southwood from above you should bear left towards the house, then sharp right down to the arena. If you go straight on over a cattlegrid you've gone the wrong way into a farmyard.