The B3212 Longdown Road (often just called Longdown Hill or Bakers Hill in the local section) is a classic Devon country road that climbs steadily out of Exeter towards the edge of Dartmoor, heading roughly west/southwest towards Longdown village and eventually Moretonhampstead.
When you cycle downhill from the Bakers Hill / Longdown area towards Exeter, you’re in for a very enjoyable, flowing descent.
Overall Feel & Speed
This is a rewarding, confidence-building descent — not extremely steep or technical like some Dartmoor drops, but fast and fun with a nice sense of momentum. Cyclists often describe it as a “great reward” after climbing the other way.
Expect to easily reach 40–50+ km/h (25–31+ mph) in sections if you’re tucked and the road is clear — it’s one of those where you’ll want to stay alert but can really let the bike run.
The Road Itself
• Surface & Width — Typical Devon B-road: reasonably smooth tarmac for the region, but watch for occasional patches, gravel wash-off after rain, and the odd pothole (standard UK rural road conditions).It’s single-lane in feel in places with passing places, but generally wide enough for two cars to pass carefully — as a cyclist descending you’re usually very visible.
• Gradient — Mostly gentle to moderate (average probably ~4–6%, with flatter sections and a few short steeper pitches up to ~7–8%). It’s not a screaming 10–15% plunge; more of a long, rolling payoff that lets you carry speed.
Key Features as You Drop Down
• Starts relatively straight and open near the top around Bakers Hill / Longdown, with good visibility and gentle sweeping curves.
• Progresses into a more wooded/hedgerow-lined feel lower down — classic Devon high banks, trees arching over in places, giving a tunnel-like atmosphere at times.
• Several sweeping bends — mostly gentle to medium radius, well-sighted, with camber that usually works in your favour. A couple of tighter ones require good line choice, but nothing sketchy.
• Views — Glimpses of rolling Devon countryside, fields, and distant hills on the more open stretches. In clear weather, you get a lovely sense of dropping down into the Exe Valley bowl towards Exeter.
• Hazards
• Occasional loose gravel/leaf mulch near edges
• Farm vehicles or mud after rain
• Cars coming up the hill (they’re usually polite in this area, but stay left)
• The occasional side road (e.g. near Chapel Hill) joining without much warning
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