Getting to Epona Natural burial ground
As much as possible we encourage Epona, particularly in relation to burial, to be a “walk to site” so encourage parking (if needed) in the village. The annotated map shows both the two main car parks in the village, and the various walking routes. The hill is steep. For those who need it a minibus can be booked.
There is pre-reservable parking available for two cars to support easier access closer for those who need it. Please arrange lift share for those who need these spaces, to make very best use of them. If you are carrying the body and do not need a hearse, there will be spaces for three cars.
Please note, that though this parking will help you closer to a burial, like most natural burial grounds, there are no surfaced paths within the burial ground itself. The ground within the site can be tussocky and uneven, so like in many church grave yards not everyone will necessarily be able to get right up to a grave side and stout footwear should be worn. As in Chagford churchyard, where the ponies regularly freely graze, the grazing animals at Epona can leave fertile signs of their recent presence so again stout footwear recommended.
MAP KEY
Proposed burial area within Epona.
Main entrance.
Permissive path entrance.
The simplest route is the lane leading up past the Jubilee Hall car park and St Michael’s Church. It is steep so if unfit do book the minibus. Follow the lane up to the cattle grid at the top of the hill. There is a slight short cut via a steep field, with some steps to help you up over a wall (not so easy as lane for pall bearers/if using the trolley).
Chagford’s new car park (what 3 words –“w3w” : rocket.mentioned.crossing). It is five minutes’ walk from here to the church.
The Jubilee Hall car park, also close to the church and on the lane that leads directly up to Epona. (w3w: delighted.maps.explains)
Another option from the village and to the North is the path up from Westcott Lane. This brings you up through Epona’s orchard and the burial area is in the next field beyond.
You can also fork left to join the “Black Prince’s path,” a bridle way, said to be the route he came to the moor. This brings you up to Weeke Down and a new metal gate that opens to what will be a permissive path (marked on map above). Once open, this will give you both a closer access to the burial area, or you will be able to cross the field and to join the path from Westcott beyond.
For the best views, walk up New Street until it opens to become Meldon Rd, then left up to Nattadon Rd, and follow the footpath that leads off it, up the west face of Nattadon hill. At the top bear left to the cattle grid and the entrance to Epona is just beyond. The path up the hill is steep and gravelly, stout footwear definitely recommended.
“We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it will be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires that we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.” ― Wendell Berry, The Long-Legged House