B3042

This article is about the current B3042 in Devon.
For the original B3042 in Hampshire, that is better known as the A3057, see B3042 (Hampshire).

Nethercott

The B3042 is a rural B-road in mid-Devon. Originally unclassified, it gained its number in the mid-1920s, and was an early example of a recycled number.

The route starts at a triangular junction on the B3137 just to the south of Witheridge and heads vaguely southwestwards across open country. The quality of the road is lower than might be expected for one having Class II status – but then this is Devon and the road is (usually) at least wide enough for two cars to pass. To the south is the valley of the River Dalch which the road avoids.

We pass through the small settlement of Thelbridge Cross and now start following a more westerly course. The road runs along the top of a ridge and eventually reaches Chawleigh, the only place of any size en route. It descends the main street of the village and then bears sharply left on the edge of open country, with the B3096 taking on the road straight ahead.

We continue along the ridge, still descending as we approach the valley of the River Taw. Soon there's a sharp bend to the left: we've reached the A377 but we are at this point some distance above it. That road is soon reached and the B3042 ends opposite Eggesford station.