The Ramble Route.
The Rooster Ramble follows an (almost) circular route, taking you through Modbury’s most beautiful and historic sites. The Ramble is about 2 miles long and takes between 45 and 75 minutes. If that all seems too much, don’t worry, the Roosters will be here until mid-September.
Show us your favourite Rooster! If you’re a social media whiz, or you’re rambling with kids, share your favourite Rooster Ramble pics on Instagram using the hashtag #modburyroosters.
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We recommend parking in any of the public car parks along Poundwell Street. These are pay and display car parks and you can pay using a parking app if you prefer. The route is circular.
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Start your ramble at Modbury News and finish at The Exeter Inn. To find the start, go to 14 Broad Street, Modbury, PL21 0PU
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Click here to view and download a map of the Ramble
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The route follows a circular trail around the town, although it minimises road crossings there are some areas with narrow pavements and some rough ground. The footpath across the field is inaccessible for wheelchair users however an alternative route can be used to access rooster number 10.
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Pick up a Rooster Ramble booklet from almost any store in town!
Ready to get started? Scroll to see the Rooster Ramble Route.
Use the dropdown arrows to learn more about the historic sites along the way!
#1 Start your Rooster Ramble at the Modbury News
Modbury News, or The Post Office, is home to Rooster number 1 “Chick Jagger” painted by Sarah Ringrose.
Ready to Ramble? Exit the shop and turn immediately left down Poundwell Street, towards the car park. Next stop, Cool Beans café. After about 200 yards, you’ll see the first car park on your right. Cross the car park to find Cool Beans café.
#2 Ramble on to Cool Beans Café
Here, you’ll find Kate West’s “Rainbow Rooster” along with a wide array of hot and cold drinks, as well as scrummy cakes!
The car park by Cool Beans is a great vantage point for watching Swifts in summer, wheeling in numbers overhead and screeching to each other as they fly. Swifts are Swallow-like birds but larger with stiff, crescent shaped wings, like miniature fighter planes, and nest in numbers in the roofs at the top of Modbury’s tallest buildings.
Ready to Ramble? Continue along Poundwell street, following the road as it curves to the right (don’t go straight on to the health centre or car park!). Go straight past the first right-hand turn until you reach the top of the hill. Turn right here, and climb the old stone stairs, and into the church yard
There’s so much more than meets the eye at St. George’s Church!
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The churchyard is recognised as an increasingly important oasis for wildlife.
Members of ModWAG (Modbury Wildlife Action Group) surveyed the plants and animals last year to collate data for the site. A significant variety were recorded; 30 plants, 18 bird and 22 insect species.
To enhance the floral biodiversity of the site, a vegetation cut took place at the end of the summer. Cut material was raked up and taken away. Invasive species such as hogweed and docs were cut before they could seed. Nettles and brambles (despite having some wildlife benefit) were also cut back to reduce their potential dominance on the site.
Removing biomass helps to reduce nutrients, encouraging increased biodiversity of wildflower species rather than the larger and more dominant vegetation (such as coarse/dense grasses). As the site becomes more nutrient poor this will enhance the wildflower species, attracting more insects and pollinators. Insects such as bees and butterflies are vital for pollination and an essential food source for insectivores such as small mammals, birds and bats. Small mammals in turn being a vital food source for owls, etc. The group has recently been allocated an adjacent sunnier, meadow-type area which will further increase the biodiversity of the site, particularly encouraging sun loving flowers and butterflies.
St George’s church is very supportive, and in less than a year the project has already received an exemplar commendation from the Diocese in Exeter.
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Beautiful tower and spire
Fascinating mixture of 14th and 15/16th century pillars inside
Ancient effigies and tombs
A pretty light-filled chancel
A grand collection of Victorian stained glass
Stunning pulpit created from 16th century bench ends
Dainty stencilled organ pipes
Captivating 18th century copper weathervane now in the church for closer inspection
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Pop inside the church to see it’s very own copper cockerel weathervane. This rooster spent many years high on the spire from 1790 to 1884 showing the wind direction and helping better weather forecasting for farming, traveling, and sailing. It’s a beautiful relic. A work of art.
#3 Next stop: St. George’s Church
St. George’s Church stands close to the site of a small priory that was staffed by a prior and just two monks. The priory was dissolved in 1467. The current church, with its medieval spire, was rebuilt in c1300 on the site of an early Saxon church.
During the Civil wars of 1642 and 43, parts of the church were destroyed by the royalist and parliamentarian soldiers. For further information go to www.devonchurchland.co.uk. You’ll find Colin sheltering in the Church entryway.
Ready to ramble? Exit the churchyard through the same gate that you came in through, turning right to continue along the road. You’ll see an ancient cobble stone path to your right and after a few hundred yards, the entrance to Runaway Lane will be on your left. Continue straight past this entrance, turning right instead into Benedict way.
Did you know? In February 1643, two thousand Royalist troops withdrew from conflict down Runaway Lane, outnumbered by Parliament forces in the second battle of Modbury
From the entrance to Benedict Way, walk straight, past the houses and around the bend to the right to the end of the cul-de-sac. Follow the narrow pathway to your left off the turning space. Straight ahead, across the main road, you will see Palm Cross Green where the flagpole stands, spot the rooster flag flying high! Turn left at the end of the pathway towards the bus stop and cross the street carefully at the Island. Once across the road, turn right and follow the elevated pathway.
#4 Rocky’s Gym
Rooster 4, Rocky painted by Diana Booth is outside the Bombers Gym. Feel free to wander around the new estate and look out for the ponds.
The ponds and hedges provide habitat for bird species, including moorhens, mallard, herons, swans, stonechats, house martins, chiff chaffs and owls, with 44 species identified as residents or visitors in the last three years. Many dragonflies and damsel flies, butterflies and moths (including hummingbird moth and brimstone butterfly) have been recorded. Frogs and toads have been breeding here successfully, hedgehogs, roe deer, foxes and mice are regularly seen.
Ready to ramble? Leave the estate back past Bombers Gym, head towards the school past a little play park on the left.
Cross the road into Back Street. Walk about 100 metres The Memorial Hall is on the right. Recently it has installed a wonderful play park.
#5 Onwards, to the Memorial Hall!
The Memorial Hall was built in 1954 and dedicated to the memory of those who served their country in two World Wars. The Memorial Hall is one of the larger halls in South Devon offering reasonably priced facilities for a wide range of local events, fund raisers, concerts, meetings and family celebrations.
Outside the Modbury Memorial Hall stands a magnificent Horse Chestnut. The newly installed playpark has been sympathetically constructed with ecology in mind, providing places for nature to live alongside the children playing in the park.
The hall is now home to your next rooster, Chistery!
Ready to ramble? Head back up Back Street to Barracks Road and turn right at the end. Walk a short distance on the road past the school where you can then join a footpath; You can walk along the footpath next to the school field providing you don’t have dogs with you. After exiting the school field, Take the first right turn into Champernowne.
Did you know? Modbury School was built in 1881 and is a thriving community school.
#6 52 Champernowne
Modbury is the home of famous forebears, in particular Lady Katherine Champernowne, whose family gives its name to parts of the town, and who is the mother of Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Humphrey Gilbert. Rooster 6 Crowing the Blues by Maggie-Anne Smith has made a home at number 52 Champernowne
Did you know? Gardens in this area are among those to have recorded regular sightings of hedgehogs. Due to the need to protect this endangered species, Modbury residents conduct an annual hedgehog count, and Modbury Wildlife Action Group have been raising awareness of ways in which these engaging creatures can be encouraged to thrive and breed in gardens and other green spaces. These include the creation of hedgehog corridors between gardens, wild corners in gardens, supplying water and meaty food at certain times of year, planting to encourage their insect prey, avoiding the use of chemicals in gardens (especially slug pellets and insecticides), and checking the ground before strimming or lighting bonfires.
Ready to ramble? Continue along the road through Champernowne to the entrance (where the close meets Barrack Road. Turn right along Barrack Road until the end of the straight, where the road bends to the right. Bear left at this junction (straight on) and continue along the road a short way, until you find the entrance to Queen Elizabeth Recreation Ground on your right.
#7 Defender of Modbury!
Head to the pavillion at the Queen Elizabeth Recreation Ground, where you’ll find Sir Henry D’light Feather. Sharpspur. “Knight of the Coop” Defender of Modbury.
In addition to the pavilion and playing fields, there is woodland, a small orchard and a firepit, which Modbury Cubs, Scouts and Brownies can use when they are not in the Scout Hut. If you look around, you may find one of the insect hotels which the cubs made to provide additional habitat for insects. The bee hotel, in a sunny spot, is designed with solitary bees in mind, providing an opportunity for Leaf Cutter and Masonry bees to lay their eggs. The bug hotel, in a shadier area, is to provide shelter for beetles, earwigs, spiders, woodlice and others, all of which are part of the food chain for birds and mammals. Beetles, bees and many other insects are also essential pollinators.
Ready to ramble? Come back out of the recreation ground the same way and head back to the junction on Barrack Road. Turn left along Dark Lane - there is no pavement here so take care. You will go past the fire station on your left. At the end of Dark Lane turn right into Brownston Street.
Did you know? More Historical Figures
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Sir Walter Raleigh (c. 1552 (or 1554) – 29 October 1618), was an English landed gentleman, writer, poet, soldier, politician, courtier, spy and explorer. He was cousin to Sir Richard Grenville and younger half-brother of Sir Humphrey Gilbert. He is also well known for popularising tobacco in England.
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Sir Humphrey Gilbert was a renowned explorer, famous for his attempts to find the Northwest Passage. He sailed from Plymouth on June 11th, 1583, and on August 3rd arrived at St. John’s, Newfoundland, which he claimed in the name of Queen Elizabeth I. Although he drowned at sea on this expedition, his exploits inspired many adventurers and explorers over the centuries.
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Troops from the Dragoon Guards, East Devon Militia, Surrey Fencibles and the North Gloucesters were billeted here for some 20 years to defend the South Coast and Plymouth during the Napoleonic wars.
#8 Percy at the pub
On your way down Brownston Street, you will see the remains of the old town Reservoir built in 1708. The remains of the old water supply are still a conspicuous feature of the town’s heritage. By the 13th century the Benedictine Monks managed to monopolise the excellent water supply from the Silverwell Spring, which they led to their Priory. The Town had to wait until Benefactors in 1708 enabled this reservoir to be established to feed conduits in Brownston Street, Church Street and Galpin Street. Further down, on the right you will see a magnificent columned house, this is North, Middle and South Traine built by the Reverend John Swete in 1786 . Middle Traine has been renamed as Trayne House. You can also see the Gateway to Old Traine. Set in the wall is the Swete family Crest dated 1472. It once opened onto a cobbled path leading to Old Traine, the home of the Lord of the Manor, Guy Swete.
Further down, on the left, you will see an old doorway, behind which is the remains of the cobbled path which led from Traine to Old Traine. Look out for this when you enter Ayleston Park later on your ramble. A short distance down Brownston Street, you’ll find Rooster number 8, Percy, at the Modbury Inn. This is a perfect spot for some refreshments!
Ready to ramble? Head back up Brownston Street and turn right in to Silverwell Park and soon after, turn right into Ayleston Park. As you enter Ayleston Park, you’ll cross the old cobbled pathway mentioned before! Walk straight down the road where you will come to number 20.
#9 20 Ayleston Park
Walk straight down the road where you will come to number 20, home to rooster number 9, Claire.
Ready to Ramble? Carry straight on past number 20 and cross Brian’s Bridge - named in recognition of the work of local volunteer Brian Weeks who has tirelessly cleared the local footpaths.
Having crossed the footbridge turn left and go through the gate into a field. Head across the footpath that winds its way diagonally across the field to the top right-hand corner where there is a stile that leads to a narrow footpath. Turn left at the end of the path to the top of Galpin Street - Shortened from Galloping Street.
NB: This route is inaccessible by wheelchair or mobility scooter. The alternative route: instead of turning left into the field from the bridge, turn right and follow the pavement – this comes out by the co-op at the bottom of Galpin Street. .
Local greenspaces are not only essential for our wildlife they also provide valuable places for all of us to connect with nature and nurture our own mental health and wellbeing.
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The bridge leads into the Millennium Meadow and Community Orchard. Here there is cultivation of traditional species of apple, pear, and plum trees, and wildflowers and grasses to encourage insects. An annual Wassailing ceremony takes place here in January, then in the autumn fruit is harvested and juiced by children and other members of the Modbury Community
These two green spaces are developing into important orchards and meadows within the town. Orchards and meadows were once commonplace in Devon, but sadly, many have been lost over the last 100 years or so. Volunteers from the community are actively involved in the management of these two adjacent sites, in particular, raking up the cut grass at the end of summer.
Yellow rattle has been planted to help reduce the vigour of dense grasses and to encourage traditional meadow flowers. The orchard trees are pruned to aid healthy growth and a good fruit harvest. Modbury Primary School children planted the 15 locally traditional fruit trees. Hedgehogs, slowworms and even a Great Green Bush Cricket have been seen. Butterflies recorded include Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Peacock, Orange Tip, Gatekeeper, Holly Blue, Large White. Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma.
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Modbury is fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful countryside. Most of this is farmland. The main refuges left for wildlife are the old lane-banks and hedgerows. Most of these are hundreds of years old. Walking along a 30m section of hedge can provide an idea of its age. Just count the number of woody species such as oak, ash, hazel, field maple, hawthorn and blackthorn. Roughly speaking, each different species represents 100 years!
Not surprisingly, hedgerows that are allowed to thicken-up provide much better habitat and sanctuary for animals and plants than those that are flailed right back. Some of the lane banks have wildflowers such as snowdrop, navel wort, celandines, dog’s mercury, primroses, bluebells and even orchids that are survivors of the original woodland that once covered this area. The primrose is Devon’s flower.
Lane-banks and hedges are valuable remnants of our countryside heritage, and a South Devon speciality; they provide vital wildlife corridors, look wonderful especially in spring, and should be treasured and protected wherever possible.
#10 Battle Site
At the top of Galpin Street, where the residential street turns into a lane, you will find Rooster 10, Bruno, by Artist Annabelle Gregory. If you continue up this lane a short way, you will see a stairway on your right into a field. To extend your ramble, you can follow a pathway through these fields.
These fields were the location of two significant battles in 1642 and 1643, between the Royalist troops and Cromwell’s Parliamentarians. The second battle, in 1643 involved more than 8000 who advanced from Kingsbridge to attack the 2000 Royalist defenders who were eventually driven back from these fields into the Town, where they finally withdrew down Runaway Lane.
Here at the Battlefield entrance is a good site for spotting Buzzards. These are large brownish birds of prey with broad wings and short tails and will often be seen circling either individually or in small groups, calling to one another with their mewing sounds. Flowers in the hedge banks through the spring and summer will include primrose, celandine, stitchwort, bluebell, campion, vetch, and several small ferns such as Hart’s-tongue and Deer’s- tongue.
Ready to ramble? Make your way back down Galpin Street to the bottom of the hill. Keep going past the shops and head to the Brownston Gallery. The gallery is in the site of the old Cooperative Society
#11 The Gallery
“Rodney” by Artist John Ashton, is inside the Brownston Gallery.
Opposite the gallery, you will see the White Hart Inn which is a historic coaching inn. Upstairs is a former assembly room where the landed gentry would meet in the 18th and 19th century.
Ready to ramble? Head along the same side of the Road as the gallery until you come to the Exeter Inn. You can either go through the pub or down the passageway along the side which will take you into the garden.
#12 The Final Rooster
In the garden of the Exeter Inn, you will find the “Best Dressed Chicken in Town”, the last rooster on the ramble! Congratulations, you made it! Put your feet up in the garden and enjoy a nice snack, lunch or dinner in this beautiful pub garden!
The Exeter Inn is the oldest surviving inn in Modbury and was a popular meeting place for the Royalists during the 17th century. It was built in the 14th century with later additions in the 19th century. It has retained a unique decorative plaster ceiling on the first floor and has a stream running along the side in a culvert.
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