Green Lanes of Devon

We walked with our walking group today from Landscove, a nine mile circuit in deepest Devon, mostly along green lanes. South Devon alone has five hundred miles of green lanes, each with its own unique history; Runaway Lane, near Modbury, is named after the fleeing Royalist soldiers who used it during the English Civil War, while a green lane in Ugborough is said to date back to the Bronze Age. Many of the lanes running near the coast were once used by smugglers who ran their illicit trade inland, hauled up from secluded coves under the cover of darkness.The term ‘green lane’ isn’t recognised under public rights-of-way law, adding to its rustic and colloquial charm, instead classified as anything from footpaths to private roads. Many of the lanes are well maintained and offer a wonderful opportunity to explore the heart of the Devon countryside. It’s true that some are also overgrown or have become gullied out by storm water, but money pledged by The Heritage Lottery Fund continues to help restore them for the enjoyment of everyone, whether you’re travelling by boot, by pedal, or by hoof. Afterwards we went to the lovely little cafe in the village, which is in the Hill House Nursery. Green lanes  are so lovely I have added some extras.