Williton-Monksilver-Roadwater Philippa Reader loop, Brendon Hills

Route Summary

Beautiful circuit across the northern flank of the Brendon Hills

Route Overview

Category: Walking Length: 17.580 km / 10.99 mi Last Modified: 1st November 2020 Difficulty: Medium Rating: Unrated Surface: Moderate Date Published: 14th June 2020

Description

This route starts low and climbs for the first half up into the hills south of Williton. It follows parts of the Coleridge Way and MacMillan Way West. There are plenty of beautiful old footpaths, woods and great views across to the coast and the Quantock Hills. Dropping back down towards the coast you follow the old mineral line into Roadwater. The final section passes through undulating farmland.

Waypoints

Join The Coleridge Way (51.15214; -3.31569)

Follow the beautiful sunken lane and cross fields all the way to Monksilver

Pick up the Coleridge Way again (51.12812; -3.32646)

Climb Bird's Hill to Colton Cross

Turn right onto bridlepath (51.11648; -3.35345)

1 / 3 Gorgeous woodland leads to Sticklepath

Turn right along road into Sticklepath (51.11597; -3.36478) and continue until the Coleridge Way turns off on a small track on your left.

Turn left here onto small track - the Coleridge Way follows Old Mineral Line (51.11810; -3.36362)

This old railway line transported iron ore mined up on Brendon Hill down to Watchet where it was shipped over to South Wales to be smelted.

At this point you can shorten the route by leaving the Coleridge Way and head back to Williton through Nettlecombe and Yarde. Instead of turning left here, continue along the road to Chidgley Farm where a footpath leads to Nettlecombe Court.

Left into field (51.12007; -3.36581)

Don't drop down into the valley, cross over to sweeping beech trees and follow stone wall on the left side

Turn left into Roadwater (51.13472; -3.38470) Follow road down to Lower Roadwater

Turn right onto road (51.15171; -3.35148) Opposite is a high hedgebank and I couldn't find the footpath that according to the map goes through it

Pick up path just after entrance to Wyndham Estate (51.15101; -3.33418) This is the final leg to Williton - lots of history through here with leats, footbridges, walls and an old mill

2 / 3 3 / 3