Doone Valley

Written in 1869, ‘Lorna Doone’ takes place in 1685 and is set in the South West, in Somerset and Devon, at the time of the Monmouth Rebellion. Richard Doddridge Blackmore mixed fact with fiction and local legend with the names of local people to create a compelling novel of love and loss, jealousy and courage, inspiring many film and television adaptations. He knew the local tales of a band of outlaws who preyed on local travellers from their base near Badgworthy Water. Said to be escaped Jacobites, these brigands were the real-life inspiration for the Doones.

Now looked after by the National Trust, the area known as ‘Doone Valley’ offer beautiful walks through the scenery depicted in Blackmore’s novel. There is plenty of parking, making it easy to leave the car and follow a planned walk, available from the National Trust website, which allows you to enjoy locations connected with the novel. You can either follow a toll path along the river bank, through a farmer’s fields or go up the hill and follow the path from there. On my last visit, we decided to pay the toll and enjoy following the meandering path of the Badgworthy Water. It is a beautiful, tranquil walk, set to the gentle sounds of lambs and flowing water.

Along the path is a memorial to R D Blackmore, inscribed with the words:

To the memory of RICHARD DODDRIDGE BLACKMORE whose novel LORNA DOONE extols to all the world the joys of Exmoor.

This stone was placed here by the Lorna Doone Centenary Committee. 1969.

Continuing the walk takes you to the abandoned medieval village of Badgworthy before circling back and returning to the car park by the cafe and shop. Alternatively, you can follow the signs to Oare and visit the lovely little church there which was used as the location for John Ridd’s marriage to Lorna Doone. R D Blackmore’s grandfather had been the rector of this church between 1809 and 1842.

In the novel, Carver Doone shoots Lorna whilst she is standing at the alter and fans of the story come from all over the world to visit this setting. The church is tiny, with the pews offering little leg room, but would have been even smaller when Blackmore’s grandfather was here.

A memorial on the wall celebrates Blackmore so any visitors unaware of the church’s literary connection will have their interest piqued! However, the church is worth a visit in its own right, a tranquil haven from the outside world.

There is little parking near the church and the roads to it are very narrow and winding, making the walk an appealing option!

Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Oare,

Lynton

EX35 6NX

Doone Valley,

Malmsmead,

Lynton

EX35 6NU

You can read about the event which inspired the wedding shooting of Lorna Doone here.