This walk provides peace, tranquility and beauty all year round and at this time of year makes for the perfect post-Christmas or New Year’s Day family walk to burn off some of that over-indulgence. Those who are looking for a shorter route can loop back when instructed to follow a shorter 1 mile circular route confined to Shobrooke Park and the ponds.

The route starts at the west entrance of Shobrooke Park – a picturesque grade II listed park and garden that serves as a popular haunt for local dog-walkers. Parking is available at the side of the road just off the A3072 turning right at Creedy Bridge, less than five minutes from the centre of Crediton.

Head through the entrance gate and take the path heading straight towards the bottom of the first lake. Follow the path around the edge near the water, keeping it on your left, and continue up the grassy track towards a metal gate where you’ll be greeted by grazing sheep and scurrying grey squirrels. Dogs must be put on a lead before you continue any further.

There are plenty of benches so that you can sit and watch the ducks on the water and listen to birdsong, and don’t miss getting a closer look at the beautiful stone bridge that crosses

Ignore the path veering off to the left and continue on the grassy path that leads straight ahead, up through the valley. You’ll eventually come to the second, smaller lake on your left – again passing on your left – and then continue up the well-defined grassy path next to the fence as it ascends into the trees. Once you reach the grey farm building and the path ascends round to the right, continue up and take the second right which will lead you across onto another path that comes up from the south.

At this point, if you’re just looking for a shorter route around the park you can follow this marked path back down to the stone bridge area – you’ll see the path you came up to your right as you go.

Otherwise, turn left and follow the path to the south-eastern corner gate to exit Shobrooke Park. Here, turn left out of the gate and take the second right down the lane that forks downhill to the right of the war memorial taking you to the Anglo-Saxon St. Swithun’s Church.

Turn left onto Church Lane (opposite the church entrance) and then after a short while turn right at the public footpath sign opposite the hay barn and into the field. Follow the track through the field keeping the hedge to your right.

As you make your way through this section you can really begin to enjoy the spectacular views across the unspoilt Mid Devon rolling countryside, spotting farmland, quaint cottages and the towns and villages in the distance.

Continue following the footpath sign into the next field, now with the hedge on your left and follow the track downhill around the perimeter of the field, past a tyre swing and around to the right, ignoring any paths on the left, before reaching another gate.

As you go through the gate you’ll hear the sound of flowing water which signals your arrival alongside a tributary of the River Creedy. Follow the well-worn grassy path that curves through the field and eventually takes you to a small gated footbridge.

Cross the bridge into a sheltered woodland section and, almost immediately, over a second wooden footbridge ahead before turning 90 degrees right and along the path beside the fence and along the tree-lined track. From here you will reach some houses and emerge on the corner of a lane. Take the lane descending to the right and continue over the bridge, ignoring the public footpath sign on your left, and then uphill where you will take the next public footpath marked track through the gate and into the field.

As you climb steadily you will be rewarded with even more amazing views over the countryside and out towards the Teign Valley. Continue on the path until you reach a gate. Turn right onto the lane and then left soon after to follow the path down through another field to a gate.

Turn right and along the lane and keep your eyes peeled for the wooden gate in the hedge to the left after a few hundred yards. Go through and follow the path through the newly planted trees, turning left then right, before putting you alongside the River Creedy.

Follow the path alongside the river for approximately 650m until you reach a metal gate. Turn right here, crossing the field and towards another gate. Turn left here onto the lane and after few hundred metres you’ll be back where you began.

Worked up an appetite? Visit the last remaining pub in the village – The Red Lion Inn. This traditional family-run pub is open lunchtimes seven days a week and every evening except Sunday, offering pub classics, delicious pizzas and real ales. Go on, you’ve earned it.