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Forest Parking Area – Riverside Path loop from Wembworthy

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Forest Parking Area – Riverside Path loop from Wembworthy

Moderate

5.0

(3)

hikers

Forest Parking Area – Riverside Path loop from Wembworthy

02:55

10.5km

200m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: May 17, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

5 m

Forest Parking Area

Highlight • Parking

373 m

Forestry Commission Memorial Stone

Highlight • Monument

4.57 km

Heywood Castle Motte and Bailey

Highlight • Historical Site

Overlooking the TawValley, at the northern end of Heywood Wood, stand the remains of an early medieval motte and bailey castle. Motte and bailey castles are medieval fortifications introduced into Britain by the Normans. This type of castle was made up of an artificial mound, or motte, on which was built a wooden or stone structure known as a keep. Next to this at least one bailey, a fortified embanked enclosure containing additional buildings, would be built. Although many were occupied for only a short period of time, motte and bailey castles continued to be built and occupied from the 11th to the 13th centuries, after which they were superseded by other types of castle.

Heywood CastleAt Heywood the circular motte is about 8 metres high and almost 50 metres in diameter, surrounded by a rock-cut ditch 4 metres wide and 2 metres deep. Around the top of the motte is a bank, up to 4 metres high in places. The crescent shaped bailey which lies to the north-east of the motte is 60 metres long and 40 metres wide and bounded on all sides by a bank 2 metres rising to about 4 metres on the eastern side, where there is an entrance with a causeway across the ditch which extends to the outer bank, which surrounds both the motte and bailey. From the bailey to the motte on the north east side there is the possibility of a bridgeway. On the north side of the bailey a more modern entrance has been formed.

devon.gov.uk/historicenvironment/explore-devons-heritage/heywood-castle-eggesford

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