Revelstoke drive was created in the 1880s, by Edward Baring, the first Baron Revelstoke, as a horse-carriage route, to show off some of the most scenic parts of his Membland estate. Edward’s bad financial luck meant he was forced to dispose of the Membland estate (the manor house was demolished later) but it’s our good luck, as today we have this route to enjoy.
The route on the map meanders around the Noss peninsula, to end at the National Trust car park. If you were walking the route, from there you can walk down the hill back to Noss Mayo. If you were cycling, you will want to take the back lanes to get to Noss, as the walking route is very bumpy and uneven.
This route guide was created specifically to launch an Easter egg hunt along the route.
Revelstoke Drive overall rating:
(Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of)
Surface on the
The surface varies considerably. Setting off from Noss, you’ll be on tar, which will become bumpy, broken tar, then it will change to a gravel route. It can be very bumpy in places.
Refreshments
Your only options are either the Swan, or the Ship pubs, in Noss Mayo. Be warned that there’s no water points along the route, either, so you’ll have to carry what you need.
Bikes
You’ll need a bike with chunky tyres, ideally a mountain or gravel bike.
Toilets
There are public toilets in Noss Mayo, and at either of the two pubs.
Hilliness
The route is moderately hilly, and some sections will be steeper than you might like.
Safety from traffic
From Noss Mayo, all the way to the last houses, you will be following a road that is open to cars.
Points of Interest
Noss Mayo is a destination in itself. The village is set in a stunning waterside location, and is very popular during warm, sunny days.
Routes in Devon
- Tarka Trail – Barnstaple to Braunton
- Tarka Trail – Ilfracombe to Willingcott
- Dart Valley Cycleway
- Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton
- The Exe Estuary cycle route to Exmouth
- Nun’s Cross Trail cycle route
- Princetown Railway traffic-free cycle route
- Saltram Loop traffic-free cycle route
- DayCycle – Tarka Trail
- Family-friendly Cycling On The Granite Way
- DayCycle – A Redlake adventure
- DayCycle – Grand Western Canal
- DayCycle – Stover Trail & Wray Valley Trail
- DayCycle – Dawlish to Exeter St Davids
- Family-friendly Cycling on Drake’s Trail
Barriers
There are no barriers along the route, but there are quite a number of gates. Remember, the gates are there to restrict livestock (which may, or may not be on the trail) so it’s vital that you close all gates behind yourself. Yes, even if you found them open.
Cycle Hire
There is nowhere to hire bicycles anywhere near this route.
Child friendliness
This route is child-friendly, but do ensure the kids are able to complete the distance.
Social safety
Parts of the route can be very isolated. However, on a warm, sunny weekend, you can expect plenty of people along the route.
Weather forecast for this route
What the route looks like
Getting to the start
The nearest train station is either Plymouth, or Ivybridge, meaning most people won’t use the train for this route. That pretty much leaves driving as your only option, unless you have a folding bicycle, to take on the local bus from Plymouth.
Parking near the route
Be warned: Noss Mayo does have some public parking, but over a warm and sunny weekend, you will find it almost impossible to find parking. Do ensure you don’t cause an obstruction wherever you might park. There’s a small car park by the tennis courts, and a small National Trust car park at the end of the route (shown on the map). Both of these fill up very quickly.
More Routes
To find more routes, click this link.
DayCycle
DayCycle routes are routes that can can easily be cycled by most people in a day, or part of a day. Do have a look at all the other DayCycle routes available on WillCycle.
Revelstoke Drive interactive map
You can download the GPX file from the map below, simply by clicking the GPX button. Hovering over the elevation profile will show the elevation for that point along the route, in both metres and feet. It will also show the gradient.
If viewing the map on your phone, you will also see a Find Me, Navigate and Record Route button, below the map. WillCyclers can have voice turn-by-turn navigation of the route, and participate in any treasure hunts that may be active along the route.
And finally…
If this route guide was of use to you, it will be of use to others, too. Don’t keep it secret! Share it with everyone, on social media, in Facebook Groups, on chat forums, and elsewhere.