"The Wood of the Dead" by Algernon Blackwood

North Devon and Somerset are in the southwest peninsula of England.

12 miles = 19 kilometers

The picture used is of North Molton village in North Devon, viewed from SE. From the church at top of the hill the village extends down the ridge to the River Mole. Bampfylde Clump on horizon.

To follow along: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/14471/14471-h/14471-h.htm#chapter6