Walking Walking

Home , Brympton, East Chinnock, East Coker, Hardington Mandeville, Odcombe, West Coker

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At the next crossroads turn right; after about 100m turn left onto a surfaced discoversouthsomerset.com

6 road. Yeovil the to back and gates

4 7 4 7 track past some houses. After the second (white) house bear left and follow 4 7 Walks Norton-sub-Hamdon to Chinnock East

Ladies Walk, Montacute Walk, Ladies

miles km miles km a signposted footpath between a copse and a ditch. Go over the stile and walk miles km these through Pass old. years 200 along the top of the next ﬁ eld and through the gate at Townsend Farm onto about are these of most trees; mature

Coldharbour Lane. Views to the south are superb, with Pen Wood opposite of abundance the to due site wildlife (restricted access now allowed). county a is itself park The 1601.

East Coker Parish Walk Hardington Parish Walk Turn left up the farm drive to a road (Penn Lane) and follow the signposted West Coker Parish Walk in family Phelips the by built House,

7 Montacute of view good a is There

path across the road to the right of the buildings. Pass next to the buildings Designed by: www.rocketbox.co.uk ©SSDC 2018 ©SSDC www.rocketbox.co.uk by: Designed

This walk visits the villages of West Coker and East Coker with hill. steep means Montacute as Hill

Hymerford House is reported to be the home of William Dampier a This walk has many spectacular views of South Somerset and Dorset. and over the next two ﬁ elds. If you use the pole in the second ﬁ eld as a bearing Photo credits: South Somerset District Council and Brian Mounsher Mounsher Brian and Council District Somerset South credits: Photo Montacute is named after St. Michael’s Michael’s St. after named is Montacute

spectacular views of the Hardington villages and valley. You will also 1

pirate and Naval captain. He was born in East Coker in 1652 and There are also two churches and a National Nature Reserve that can you will ﬁ nd the stile and steps down to a lane. START

an observation tower. The village of of village The tower. observation an

10 Email: [email protected] Email:

circumnavigated the world three times, the ﬁ rst person to do so. be visited en route. There is a steep ascent to Coker Ridge as well as pass West Coker Manor House, North Coker Mill and parkland and 3

Turn right, then left after the stone cottages and walk along the enclosed as century 19th the in built was tower

8 Hardington Moor462781 Nature01935 Reserve. Telephone: The walk is onSomerset. quietYeovil, countryWay, lanes Brympton

Depending on the time of year The Rose Tower in Barwick Park can be gentle slopes. (This path can become very wet in places during winter path to the tarmac lane. Turn left here, at the bottom of the hill turn right The him. for land the farmed villagers

Published by: Tourism Service, South Somerset District Council, Council, District Somerset South Service, Tourism by: Published

and across ﬁ elds with one steep ascent and descent for Coker Ridge. 14 seen on the horizon as you cross the stile at the 5 way signpost. This and wellington boots are recommended). up some steps to a gate onto a path that leads to a small ﬁ eld with a narrow pinch the that and Witcombe owned castle

Start in the Square of West Coker. Buses stop here near the post ofﬁ ce and it is thought that the laird of the the of laird the that thought is it and round, tapering tower is also known as Messiter’s Cone. You can also gate into the churchyard on the opposite side. Apart from the tower this church www.southsomersetcountryside.com

13 burnt down in the last century and was rebuilt. Have a rest on the bench by the and there is car parking at the Church. Castle, Bailey & Motte Norman a be

see St. Michael’s Church the memorial to TS Eliot. Part of this walk 1 Park next to St. Mary’s Church, Hardington Mandeville. Turn left towards

tower and admire the view – a good portion of your walk can be seen. to used hill The day. clear a on top the

crosses a marshy ﬁ eld so good footwear is recommended. This walk is Yeovil, continue on this road past a lane on the left and after approximately 2 For 24 hour information visit our website: website: our visit information hour 24 For

START 1

on country lanes, across ﬁ elds taking in several stiles (and one stone 250 metres turn left through the signposted second gateway. Make for the middle From the Square walk along East Street. Pass Manor Street on the left. from counties four to views reaching

A 15th century Manor House can be found along here on the right. This is worth far are There public. the to open of the right hand hedge, and go over the stile, which is set back and somewhat START

slab) and near the end of this walk there is one ascent. East Coker has 9 hidden. Maintain same bearing to the next stile. Go down diagonally across the stopping to have a look at but it is not open to the public. Continue along East are and Trust National the by owned

a café, pub and a farm shop near by. Please park considerately and 4

ﬁ eld to the stile to the right of a large bush. Follow path between the houses to Street, past the Almshouses, Ryeﬁ elds Close and West Coker House. are hill and tower The top. on tower

start your walk at the village hall. 12

bridge over Chinnock Brook. Cross the garden of Weavers Cottage; (yes, through a with Hill Michael’s St. of view good

www.somerset.gov.uk/rightsofway

Where the road forks, keep left on Halves Lane. Past the recreation ground,contact: please

the garden) the last weaver to live here was John Hallet, sailcloth weaver, who died 1 a is There you. behind look avenue this

These routes follow public rights of way if you encounter any problems turn left,problems throughany a metalencounter gateyou if and followway of the signpostedrights public footpathfollow acrossroutes the These 8 5 4

Start at the village hall. Turn left into Halves Lane. At the T junction turn in 1867 aged 87. His family had been tenants since at least 1720. The portman At gates. Lodge the to track a along

1 ﬁ eld and over a footbridge in the far right hand corner of the ﬁ eld (not the concrete left signposted North Coker ¼ mile/yeovil. estate sold it in 1920 for £135! Go over the stone stile, to the left of the main right turn trees of avenue an reaching

bridge in the centre of the hedge); this has the remains of a weir incorporatedpeople other in to it. Consider

gate, into Moor Lane and turn left. At the end of the surfaced road note the old Hardington Moor Valley On park. the across straight tree

Turn right onto a public bridleway signposted East Coker ½ mile and way Bear left across an old stone bridge. Thomas Hardy mentions this small hamlet in one 6

2 oak an under left bear then paddock stone toilet perches over the brook next to a large willow tree. Follow the brook control close under dogs Keep

of his short stories. 11 marked the Monarch’s Way. 5

through the gates. Pass gate to your right signposted Hardington Community ﬁ eld. the of corner the until right the

Protect plants and animals and take your litter home litter your take and animals and plants Protect 7

Cross the road and follow the footpath signposted to Burton, to the left of the 7

3 Turn left at the ﬁ rst stile signposted Pavyotts Mill ¾ miles. Follow the At the junction look at the Hamstone sluice, once used as a “sheep dip”, on the 2 on fence the Keep Trust. National the

around Yeovil around Forester’s Arms to Skinners Hill Farm. Look for wildfowl in the large pond on 8 footpath behind the back of Hymerford House Gardens reported to be the upstream side of the new bridge. by owned also Park, Montacute into

4 them nd ﬁ you as property and gates Leave

the right before the farm. At the farm turn left along the road and follow this around 10

home of pirate and naval captain William Dampier. At the end of the ﬁ eld, cross Turn right up the lane (Coker Hill Lane) until, after a bend, on your right you path this Follow right. the to footpath Be safe, plan ahead, follow any signs. any follow ahead, plan safe, Be

5 to the right to East Coker. 6

2 countryside

the stile by the 5 way signpost. see the gateway into the National Nature Reserve (after a rest on the bench 3 signposted a reaching until yards

Back Lane, follow this for 200 200 for this follow Lane, Back Countryside Code: Countryside

Continue straight ahead, following the stream which is on your left and cross if needed!) This is Hardington Moor nature reserve and is managed for wildlife by Go past the recreation ground then follow the signpostedthe footpathfollow on the Please 3 6

4 the Discovering a number of stiles. You will come to a bridge with two metal gates. Cross the Natural England using a local grazier. It is characteristic of pre-war Somerset. The right to North Coker Mill. Cross the ﬁ eld following the left ﬁ eld boundary. to road the cross and care Take

rich hay meadows are abundant with wildﬂ owers and butterﬂ ies in the spring and Cross quite a tricky stile next to the mill on to a tarmac lane. bridge and turn right. The stream is now on your right. Follow the hedgerow and reached. be can refreshments and

summer. The reserve consists of three ﬁ elds; go through the kissing gate. Keep the walks walks along the A30 and back to the Square in the village centre. village the in Square the to back and A30 the along then through a gate with fencing on either side. Take the gate to your left. Montacute left turning by and Road

hedge on your left all the way up the slope until you reach the lane at the top Somerset with its steep smooth hamstone banks. At the bottom of the lane turn right right turn lane the of bottom the At banks. hamstone smooth steep its with Somerset copse to the bottom, by All Saints Primary School, to the main road. This is New New is This road. main the to School, Primary Saints All by bottom, the to copse

5 You are now in a marshy ﬁ eld. Keep the hedge on your right and continue (Ridge Lane). of one stones; carved two for out look a Keep Hill. Ham toward right the to valley the once inhabited the area. This sunken lane in a hollow is characteristic of this part of of part this of characteristic is hollow a in lane sunken This area. the inhabited once many mature trees along this stretch. Follow this path around the edge of the the of edge the around path this Follow stretch. this along trees mature many

to the corner of the ﬁ eld up a slight slope and cross the stile. across views good are there hill the down walk you As right. the on Farm Westbury

9 circular circular 9

& STOFORD &

West Coker. The lane is called Chur Lane after the song of the Nightjars that that Nightjars the of song the after Lane Chur called is lane The Coker. West by The National Trust. Part of this path follows an old boundary, and there are are there and boundary, old an follows path this of Part Trust. National The by

Turn left into Ridge Lane along to a T-junction with Coker Hill Lane. The passing km) (1 miles 0.6 about for Norton, Little towards Hill, Hockers

BARWICK 7 3 2

Past the nature reserve, turn right into a lane and down a steep slope into into slope steep a down and lane a into right turn reserve, nature the Past Follow the hedgerow on your left until you see a gate and Patchlake owned Walk Ladies as known path a into over steps up right immediately Where the track forks follow the left track, this is Hockers Hill. Go down down Go Hill. Hockers is this track, left the follow forks track the Where

6 views here on a good day are spectacular, from the transmitting station at START HARDINGTON 5

Cottage in front of you. Go through the gate signposted Monarch’s Way Rampisham, through Beaminster Down & Winyards Gap to Crewkerne and then eld ﬁ the of corner the at woods into gap a through left Turn

wildfl owers and butterfl ies; it is well worth a visit in the spring and summer. summer. and spring the in visit a worth well is it ies; butterfl and owers wildfl

km) and turn right into Pit Lane, a wide entrance leads into this track. track. this into leads entrance wide a Lane, Pit into right turn and km)

EAST COKER EAST

and follow the path around the Cottage’s garden and then over a stile and through Windwhistle. hall. village the to road the along walk to continue and left turning T-junction the to

There are views of Hedgecock Hill Woods to the left. left. the to Woods Hill Hedgecock of views are There characteristic of pre-war Somerset. Its rich hay meadows are abundant with with abundant are meadows hay rich Its Somerset. pre-war of characteristic 2 (0.75 mile ½ for lane narrow this Follow Lane. Street into this cross and road

the gate to your right. 3 hill the down Continue Eliot. TS of memorial and place resting the is there where

2 1

through a signposted gap. Follow the path keeping the hedge on the left. left. the on hedge the keeping path the Follow gap. signposted a through reserve is managed for wildlife by Natural England using a local grazier and is is and grazier local a using England Natural by wildlife for managed is reserve Turn left down Coker Hill, past the pretty hamstone cottages to the main the to House) private a (now School Church Old the past go top the At

Almshouses. At this point to your right you will see St. Michael’s Church, Church, Michael’s St. see will you right your to point this At Almshouses.

4 4

At the main road turn right and walk past Hollow Lane, then turn left and go go and left turn then Lane, Hollow past walk and right turn road main the At

Follow the path along the edge of the ﬁ eld signposted Monarch’s Way and signposted 2 in 1 metal gate on your right, just before the Hardington nature This Reserve. Nature National Moor Hardington up make which meadows A30

7 the as far as road the on straight keep and gate the through Go

to the Old School House and retrace your steps to the village hall and the car park. car the and hall village the to steps your retrace and House School Old the to

WEST COKER WEST A37

Barwick ½ mile. Mandeville village sign. Be careful of the low, electric fence and go through the the nd ﬁ will you lane this of left the On ridge. the on seen be can Mandeville

1 (1914-1919). memorial war a and Chapels Methodist former two pass will You track to leave the valley. the leave to track

7 1 next left Turn right. turn and Road Hill Ham the to buildings Farm Manor the past path rear of the cottages via the footbridge over the stream. the over footbridge the via cottages the of rear

gate and cross the ﬁ eld over the waymarked stile. Bear left and then cross a Hardington and bottom valley the in seen be can Moor Hardington of cottages

reaching some steps on the left. Go down these steps into Chapel Hill and turn left. left. turn and Hill Chapel into steps these down Go left. the on steps some reaching

At the end of the ﬁ eld, walk up to the road junction and take the road to a along left bear top the at and path this Follow purposes. medicinal for this grew

badger setts here as the Yeovil sands soil is easy for them to dig. Follow this this Follow dig. to them for easy is soil sands Yeovil the as here setts badger

To your right, you will see two houses in the distance. Walk towards the the towards Walk distance. the in houses two see will you right, your To

8 second ﬁ eld, under the telegraph wire to a gate in the middle of the hedge. Pass START hamstone The Valley. Hardington the across left the to views outstanding are there

From the village hall walk clockwise around the football pitch until until pitch football the around clockwise walk hall village the From

START your right. After 100 meters on your left there will be a bridleway villagers The pond. the near grows Hellibore, Green plant, rare A kilns. their re ﬁ to

through the gate and keeping the hedge on your right proceed to the next gate. active are There lane. ned well-defi less another along left turn mile ¼ After the fi rst junction and follow the ridge lane for 0.6 mile (1 km). From this lane lane this From km). (1 mile 0.6 for lane ridge the follow and junction rst fi the

6 8 Park. Court Coker entering now are You gate. kissing

signposted Monarch’s Way, follow this. At the end of the bridleway you will see used was hillside the on growing gorse the and village the for supply water the was

Follow the waymarked direction across the next ﬁ eld towards the church to ﬁ nd the 6

At the Primrose Hill crossroads cross over into the lane opposite. Bear left at at left Bear opposite. lane the into over cross crossroads Hill Primrose the At and ponds. and NINESPRINGS

of the track, take care while walking diagonally across the road and go through the the through go and road the across diagonally walking while care take track, the of

Tarrants House on your left. Take the road to your left, you are now in Lower East pond the Witcombe; of village mediaeval the of remains the are right the to hillside several ascents and descents as it explores the local valleys. local the explores it as descents and ascents several

bridge and stile into an enclosed track. Follow this track until it joins a more open Yeovil around

bridleway known as Pit Lane. There are views to the right of Pit Wood Wood Pit of right the to views are There Lane. Pit as known bridleway

to the top of the ﬁ eld where there are lovely views. Cross the stile and at the end end the at and stile the Cross views. lovely are there where eld ﬁ the of top the to

muddy. Go straight on along the track to Primrose Hill. Primrose to track the along on straight Go muddy. Coker Road and continue until you come to the T junction. the in depressions The attackers. out keep to constructed were ramparts the Hill; 9 A30

lane and turn left. A diversion here to St. Mary’s Church in East Chinnock is has walk The home. stately a and tower a ramparts, village, mediaeval

On reaching Ham Hill Road, take care and cross over into signposted signposted into over cross and care take Road, Hill Ham reaching On

across the ﬁ eld, keeping to the left of the telegraph pole. Cross the stile and head head and stile the Cross pole. telegraph the of left the to keeping eld, ﬁ the across

Follow the ridge through a hunt gate, then over a stile to a track, which can get very very get can which track, a to stile a over then gate, hunt a through ridge the Follow up the side of the valley. The hill on the left is the edge of the Iron Age hill fort Ham Ham fort hill Age Iron the of edge the is left the on hill The valley. the of side the up

YEOVIL

At the T-junction turn left and continue on the Yeovil road, after 50 metres on worthwhile to see the unique windows given by the late POW Gunther Anton as a a as such interest of points archaeological and historical has also It PARK

saying St. Michael’s Church ¾ mile. Go over a stone slab and stile. Walk diagonally diagonally Walk stile. and slab stone a over Go mile. ¾ Church Michael’s St. saying

9 vales & hills the middle of the valley nestles the hamlet of Lyatts at the start of the Hardington Vale. Vale. Hardington the of start the at Lyatts of hamlet the nestles valley the of middle small group of trees in the base of the valley until reaching a path which bears right right bears which path a reaching until valley the of base the in trees of group small a stile to a track and turn right to Ham Hill Road. Hill Ham to right turn and track a to stile a

COUNTRY

your right, follow the sign-post for Placket Lane ¼ mile. You will see 2 houses token of the friendliness shown to him by the villagers during the war. There is a countryside. surrounding the of views good some has walk This

YEOVIL

A3088 6 signpost a and right the on hedge the in gap a for Look care. taking mile ¼

Wood in the distance and Moors Plantation on the far side of the valley. In the the In valley. the of side far the on Plantation Moors and distance the in Wood remnants in the area. Follow the path along the bottom of the valley keeping left of a a of left keeping valley the of bottom the along path the Follow area. the in remnants the Old Burial Ground said to date from time of the Civil War. At the walls end cross cross end walls the At War. Civil the of time from date to said Ground Burial Old the

on the right. Continue on the path to your left. At the end of the footpath, take the post ofﬁ ce in East Chinnock where you can replenish snack and drink supplies. 7 12

ODCOMBE

Take the road to your left up a slight slope. Continue along this road for a a for road this along Continue slope. slight a up left your to road the Take along the signposted footpath. There are views of Pen Wood and Coker Coker and Wood Pen of views are There footpath. signposted the along managed for conservation and recreation whilst preserving the archaeological archaeological the preserving whilst recreation and conservation for managed a stile into a fi eld and keep to the left of this fi eld. You will pass a long wall; this is for for is this wall; long a pass will You eld. fi this of left the to keep and eld fi a into stile a

road to your left signposted Nash Lane. At the T-junction, bear right. You will pass Walk Parish Odcombe

Go through the metal gate ahead and cross the large ﬁ eld to a concrete 5 Walking

Pass Sleights Cottage on the left, and turn right, over a stile, cross the ﬁ eld eld ﬁ the cross stile, a over right, turn and left, the on Cottage Sleights Pass Witcombe Valley and is owned by South Somerset District Council; it is is it Council; District Somerset South by owned is and Valley Witcombe about ¼ mile long and ends with a steep ascent up a series of steps. At the top cross cross top the At steps. of series a up ascent steep a with ends and long mile ¼ about

RAMBLE

some cottages and a post-box on your left. Pass Nash Priory and bear left. Coker. East for signpost the see you until care taking road the follow

bridge over the brook. Don’t be tempted to cross the wooden stile. Keep AGE IRON Turn right through the second ﬁ eld gate into Ham Hill Country Park. This is is This Park. Country Hill Ham into gate eld ﬁ second the through right Turn yellow arrows. Cross the stile into Woodhouse Covert. The woodland path is is path woodland The Covert. Woodhouse into stile the Cross arrows. yellow

5 and pub the past left Turn nishes. ﬁ footpath the where Pub Arms Forester’s the reach

Park/North Coker Park with its majestic parkland trees. trees. parkland majestic its with Park Coker Park/North

The track becomes a wooded hollow. Where the footpaths meet, take the the hedge to your right. For those with time a pause here for bird watching may be 8 Follow the path to the right keeping the hedge on the right and follow the the follow and right the on hedge the keeping right the to path the Follow

left. Leave this track to the right and follow the footpath straight ahead. You will will You ahead. straight footpath the follow and right the to track this Leave left. A37 banks.

10 Court Coker over views are left the To lane. the of right the on bank hedge damp

path to the left signposted Burton Lane. You will reach the Christian worth while, kingﬁ shers and buzzards can often be seen. Keep heading south over

1 mile 1

km miles round to the left. Turn right signposted Hollywell ¼ mile, passing cottages on your your on cottages passing mile, ¼ Hollywell signposted right Turn left. the to round

A303 these are characteristic of the area, look at the many ferns growing on these damp damp these on growing ferns many the at look area, the of characteristic are these about 50 yards before bearing right, up a steep bank and through signposted gate. signposted through and bank steep a up right, bearing before yards 50 about

Fellowship Chapel as the footpath opens up on to Burton Lane. Turn right and two ﬁ elds with the hedge on your right. Follow the hedge into the second ﬁ eld and the on growing fern Tongue Harts the at Look left. the on Court Coker of grounds

a residential road. Turn right into Long Furlong Lane and follow the road road the follow and Lane Furlong Long into right Turn road. residential a

2 km 2

Near the bottom of the hill the lane becomes enclosed by steep hamstone banks, banks, hamstone steep by enclosed becomes lane the hill the of bottom the Near the lane for just under 0.6 mile (1 km). You will pass the lodge and the the and lodge the pass will You km). (1 mile 0.6 under just for lane the for Odcombe to lane the follow and road the crossing care Take Odcombe. to 8

head straight on through a gateway into an enclosed track (Holten’s Lane). Climb Hardington Moor 5

proceed to the T-junction. 11

4 7

Turn right and immediate left into Broad Acres, bearing left at the fork. This is is This fork. the at left bearing Acres, Broad into left immediate and right Turn

these is the parish boundary marker between Odcombe and Norton-sub-Hamdon. Norton-sub-Hamdon. and Odcombe between marker boundary parish the is these Bear left and follow the road for about 200 yards to the turning on the right right the on turning the to yards 200 about for road the follow and left Bear the lane up to the road and turn left. follow and over straight Cross crossroads. a to lane the follow and right Turn

11 T-junction. the to proceed Hardington Moor Hardington

a residential road. Turn right into Long Furlong Lane and follow the road 5 8 Near the bottom of the hill the lane becomes enclosed by steep hamstone banks, to Odcombe. Take care crossing the road and follow the lane to Odcombe for the lane for just under 0.6 mile (1 km). You will pass the lodge and the 2 km Climb Lane). (Holten’s track enclosed an into gateway a through on straight head

Fellowship Chapel as the footpath opens up on to Burton Lane. Turn right and and right Turn Lane. Burton to on up opens footpath the as Chapel Fellowship

these are characteristic of the area, look at the many ferns growing on these damp about 50 yards before bearing right, up a steep bank and through signposted gate. grounds of Coker Court on the left. Look at the Harts Tongue fern growing on the and eld ﬁ second the into hedge the Follow right. your on hedge the with elds ﬁ two

round to the left. Turn right signposted Hollywell ¼ mile, passing cottages on your miles km A303 1 mile path to the left signposted Burton Lane. You will reach the Christian Christian the reach will You Lane. Burton signposted left the to path worth while, kingﬁ shers and buzzards can often be seen. Keep heading south over over south heading Keep seen. be often can buzzards and shers kingﬁ while, worth banks. damp hedge bank on the right of the lane. To the left are views over Coker Court 10

left. Leave this track to the right and follow the footpath straight ahead. You will Follow the path to the right keeping the hedge on the right and follow the A37 The track becomes a wooded hollow. Where the footpaths meet, take the the take meet, footpaths the Where hollow. wooded a becomes track The

8 Park/North Coker Park with its majestic parkland trees. be may watching bird for here pause a time with those For right. your to hedge the

reach the Forester’s Arms Pub where the footpath ﬁ nishes. Turn left past the pub and Turn right through the second ﬁ eld gate into Ham Hill Country Park. This is yellow arrows. Cross the stile into Woodhouse Covert. The woodland path is 5

3 IRON AGE Keep stile. wooden the cross to tempted be Don’t brook. the over bridge

follow the road taking care until you see the signpost for East Coker. left. bear and Priory Nash Pass left. your on post-box a and cottages some

Witcombe Valley and is owned by South Somerset District Council; it is about ¼ mile long and ends with a steep ascent up a series of steps. At the top cross Pass Sleights Cottage on the left, and turn right, over a stile, cross the ﬁ eld RAMBLE 5

Walking5 concrete a to eld ﬁ large the cross and ahead gate metal the through Go Odcombe Parish Walk pass will You right. bear T-junction, the At Lane. Nash signposted left your to road

managed for conservation and recreation whilst preserving the archaeological a stile into a ﬁ eld and keep to the left of this ﬁ eld. You will pass a long wall; this is for along the signposted footpath. There are views of Pen Wood and Coker

Take the road to your left up a slight slope. Continue along this road for a ODCOMBE on the right. Continue on the path to your left. At the end of the footpath, take the the take footpath, the of end the At left. your to path the on Continue right. the on 7 7

12 remnants in the area. Follow the path along the bottom of the valley keeping left of a the Old Burial Ground said to date from time of the Civil War. At the walls end cross Wood in the distance and Moors Plantation on the far side of the valley. In the supplies. drink and snack replenish can you where Chinnock East in ce ofﬁ post

¼ mile taking care. Look for a gap in the hedge on the right and a signpost A3088 6 YEOVIL

your right, follow the sign-post for Placket Lane ¼ mile. You will see 2 houses houses 2 see will You mile. ¼ Lane Placket for sign-post the follow right, your This walk has some good views of the surrounding countryside. a is There war. the during villagers the by him to shown friendliness the of token

small group of trees in the base of the valley until reaching a path which bears right a stile to a track and turn right to Ham Hill Road. middle of the valley nestles the hamlet of Lyatts at the start of the Hardington Vale. COUNTRY the hills & vales 9

saying St. Michael’s Church ¾ mile. Go over a stone slab and stile. Walk diagonally PARK At the T-junction turn left and continue on the Yeovil road, after 50 metres on on metres 50 after road, Yeovil the on continue and left turn T-junction the At It also has historical and archaeological points of interest such as a up the side of the valley. The hill on the left is the edge of the Iron Age hill fort Ham Follow the ridge through a hunt gate, then over a stile to a track, which can get very YEOVIL a as Anton Gunther POW late the by given windows unique the see to worthwhile

across the ﬁ eld, keeping to the left of the telegraph pole. Cross the stile and head On reaching Ham Hill Road, take care and cross over into signposted mediaeval village, ramparts, a tower and a stately home. The walk has 9 A30 is Chinnock East in Church Mary’s St. to here diversion A left. turn and lane Hill; the ramparts were constructed to keep out attackers. The depressions in the muddy. Go straight on along the track to Primrose Hill. junction. T the to come you until continue and Road Coker

to the top of the ﬁ eld where there are lovely views. Cross the stile and at the end bridleway known as Pit Lane. There are views to the right of Pit Wood several ascents and descents as it explores the local valleys. around Yeovil open more a joins it until track this Follow track. enclosed an into stile and bridge hillside to the right are the remains of the mediaeval village of Witcombe; the pond East Lower in now are you left, your to road the Take left. your on House Tarrants

of the track, take care while walking diagonally across the road and go through the and ponds. At the Primrose Hill crossroads cross over into the lane opposite. Bear left at NINESPRINGS

6 the nd ﬁ to church the towards eld ﬁ next the across direction waymarked the Follow was the water supply for the village and the gorse growing on the hillside was used see will you bridleway the of end the At this. follow Way, Monarch’s signposted 8 6

kissing gate. You are now entering Coker Court Park. the ﬁ rst junction and follow the ridge lane for 0.6 mile (1 km). From this lane 6 through the gate and keeping the hedge on your right proceed to the next gate. gate. next the to proceed right your on hedge the keeping and gate the through

After ¼ mile turn left along another less well-deﬁ ned lane. There are active

START From the village hall walk clockwise around the football pitch until to ﬁ re their kilns. A rare plant, Green Hellibore, grows near the pond. The villagers bridleway a be will there left your on meters 100 After right. your

10 4 second ﬁ eld, under the telegraph wire to a gate in the middle of the hedge. Pass Pass hedge. the of middle the in gate a to wire telegraph the under eld, ﬁ second START there are outstanding views to the left across the Hardington Valley. The hamstone START

To your right, you will see two houses in the distance. Walk towards the badger setts here as the Yeovil sands soil is easy for them to dig. Follow this 8

13 reaching some steps on the left. Go down these steps into Chapel Hill and turn left. grew this for medicinal purposes. Follow this path and at the top bear left along a to road the take and junction road the to up walk eld, ﬁ the of end the At

rear of the cottages via the footbridge over the stream. cottages of Hardington Moor can be seen in the valley bottom and Hardington a cross then and left Bear stile. waymarked the over eld ﬁ the cross and gate 7

track to leave the valley. path past the Manor Farm buildings to the Ham Hill Road and turn right. Turn left next 1 1 You will pass two former Methodist Chapels and a war memorial (1914-1919). 1

Mandeville village sign. Be careful of the low, electric fence and go through the the through go and fence electric low, the of careful Be sign. village Mandeville Mandeville can be seen on the ridge. On the left of this lane you will ﬁ nd the mile. ½ Barwick

to the Old School House and retrace your steps to the village hall and the car park. WEST COKER A37

Go through the gate and keep straight on the road as far as the A30 7 signposted 2 in 1 metal gate on your right, just before the Hardington Hardington the before just right, your on gate metal 1 in 2 signposted

14 At the main road turn right and walk past Hollow Lane, then turn left and go meadows which make up Hardington Moor National Nature Reserve. This nature and Way Monarch’s signposted eld ﬁ the of edge the along path the Follow

Almshouses. At this point to your right you will see St. Michael’s Church, 4 4

At the top go past the Old Church School (now a private House) to the main through a signposted gap. Follow the path keeping the hedge on the left. reserve is managed for wildlife by Natural England using a local grazier and is the to cottages hamstone pretty the past Hill, Coker down left Turn

1 2

where there is the resting place and memorial of TS Eliot. Continue down the hill right. your to gate the

2 road and cross this into Street Lane. Follow this narrow lane for ½ mile (0.75 There are views of Hedgecock Hill Woods to the left. characteristic of pre-war Somerset. Its rich hay meadows are abundant with 2

Windwhistle.

to the T-junction turning left and continue to walk along the road to the village hall. km) and turn right into Pit Lane, a wide entrance leads into this track. wildﬂ owers and butterﬂ ies; it is well worth a visit in the spring and summer. EAST COKER through and stile a over then and garden Cottage’s the around path the follow and

Rampisham, through Beaminster Down & Winyards Gap to Crewkerne and and Crewkerne to Gap Winyards & Down Beaminster through Rampisham,

5 Turn left through a gap into woods at the corner of the ﬁ eld then Way Monarch’s signposted gate the through Go you. of front in Cottage

views here on a good day are spectacular, from the transmitting station at at station transmitting the from spectacular, are day good a on here views Where the track forks follow the left track, this is Hockers Hill. Go down HARDINGTON START immediately right up steps over into a path known as Ladies Walk owned Past the nature reserve, turn right into a lane and down a steep slope into Patchlake and gate a see you until left your on hedgerow the Follow

2 7 BARWICK 3

Hockers Hill, towards Little Norton, for about 0.6 miles (1 km) passing by The National Trust. Part of this path follows an old boundary, and there are 9West circular Coker. The lane is called Chur Lane after the song of the Nightjars that & STOFORD The Lane. Hill Coker with T-junction a to along Lane Ridge into left Turn

Westbury Farm on the right. As you walk down the hill there are good views across many mature trees along this stretch. Follow this path around the edge of the once inhabited the area. This sunken lane in a hollow is characteristic of this part of stile. the cross and slope slight a up eld ﬁ the of corner the to 5

(Ridge Lane). (Ridge

the valley to the right toward Ham Hill. Keep a look out for two carved stones; one of copse to the bottom, by All Saints Primary School, to the main road. This is New Somerset with its steep smooth hamstone banks. At the bottom of the lane turn right continue and right your on hedge the Keep eld. ﬁ marshy a in now are You hedge on your left all the way up the slope until you reach the lane at the top top the at lane the reach you until slope the up way the all left your on hedge

Road and by turning left Montacute alongwalks the A30 and back to the Square in the village centre. left. your to gate the Take side. either on fencing with gate a through then summer. The reserve consists of three ﬁ elds; go through the kissing gate. Keep the the Keep gate. kissing the through go elds; ﬁ three of consists reserve The summer.

and refreshments can be reached. and hedgerow the Follow right. your on now is stream The right. turn and bridge rich hay meadows are abundant with wildfl owers and butterfl ies in the spring and and spring the in ies butterfl and owers wildfl with abundant are meadows hay rich Cross quite a tricky stile next to the mill on to a tarmac lane. lane. tarmac a to on mill the to next stile tricky a quite Cross

a number of stiles. You will come to a bridge with two metal gates. Cross the the Cross gates. metal two with bridge a to come will You stiles. of number a

Natural England using a local grazier. It is characteristic of pre-war Somerset. The The Somerset. pre-war of characteristic is It grazier. local a using England Natural

Take care and cross the road to boundary. eld ﬁ left the following eld ﬁ the Cross Mill. Coker North to right Discovering the 4

6 3 Continue straight ahead, following the stream which is on your left and cross cross and left your on is which stream the following ahead, straight Continue

if needed!) This is Hardington Moor nature reserve and is managed for wildlife by by wildlife for managed is and reserve nature Moor Hardington is This needed!) if

9 Back Lane, follow this for 200 Please the on followfootpath thesignposted Countrysidethe follow then ground Code:recreation the past Go

3 3

see the gateway into the National Nature Reserve (after a rest on the bench bench the on rest a (after Reserve Nature National the into gateway the see

yards until reaching a signposted signpost. way 5 the by stile the

countryside 2 to the right to East Coker. Coker. East to right the to 5

6 Be safe, plan ahead, follow any signs. 5

Turn right up the lane (Coker Hill Lane) until, after a bend, on your right you you right your on bend, a after until, Lane) Hill (Coker lane the up right Turn

10 footpath to the right. Follow this path cross eld, ﬁ the of end the At Dampier. William captain naval and pirate of home the right before the farm. At the farm turn left along the road and follow this around around this follow and road the along left turn farm the At farm. the before right the

Leave gates and property as you ﬁ nd them 4

footpath behind the back of Hymerford House Gardens reported to be the the be to reported Gardens House Hymerford of back the behind footpath into Montacute Park, also owned by bridge. new the of side upstream

8 around Yeovil on pond large the in wildfowl for Look Farm. Hill Skinners to Arms Forester’s

Turn left at the ﬁ rst stile signposted Pavyotts Mill ¾ miles. Follow the the Follow miles. ¾ Mill Pavyotts signposted stile rst ﬁ the at left Turn the National Trust. Keep the fence on the on dip”, “sheep a as used once sluice, Hamstone the at look junction the At

7 7 Protect the of plantsleft the to and animalsBurton, to and takesignposted yourfootpath litterthe homefollow and road the Cross

the right until the corner of the eld. ﬁ Community Hardington signposted right your to gate Pass gates. the through

5 Way. Monarch’s the marked

11 stories. short his of

Keep dogs under close control brook the Follow tree. willow large a to next brook the over perches toilet stone paddock then bear left under an oak 2

Turn right onto a public bridleway signposted East Coker ½ mile and way way and mile ½ Coker East signposted bridleway public a onto right Turn

6 one in hamlet small this mentions Hardy Thomas bridge. stone old an across left Bear Hardington Moor Valley Moor Hardington

tree straight across the park. On old the note road surfaced the of end the At left. turn and Lane Moor into gate,

Consider it. to in other peopleincorporated weir a of remains the has this hedge); the of centre the in bridge

estate sold it in 1920 for £135! Go over the stone stile, to the left of the main main the of left the to stile, stone the over Go £135! for 1920 in it sold estate reaching an avenue of trees turn right mile/yeovil. ¼ Coker North signposted left

fi eld and over a footbridge in the far right hand corner of the fi eld (not the concrete concrete the (not eld fi the of corner hand right far the in footbridge a over and eld fi 1

in 1867 aged 87. His family had been tenants since at least 1720. The portman portman The 1720. least at since tenants been had family His 87. aged 1867 in

5 4 8 along a track to the Lodge gates. At turn junction T the At Lane. Halves into left Turn hall. village the at Start These the routesacross followfootpath public rightssignposted the of wayfollow and if yougate encountermetal a anythrough problemsleft, turn

the garden) the last weaver to live here was John Hallet, sailcloth weaver, who died died who weaver, sailcloth Hallet, John was here live to weaver last the garden) the this avenue look behind you. There is a 1

please contact:ground, www.somerset.gov.uk/rightsofwayrecreation the Past Lane. Halves on left keep forks, road the Where

good view of St. Michael’s Hill with a through (yes, Cottage; Weavers of garden the Cross Brook. Chinnock over bridge

12 hall. village the at walk your start

ﬁ eld to the stile to the right of a large bush. Follow path between the houses to to houses the between path Follow bush. large a of right the to stile the to eld ﬁ

tower on top. The tower and hill are House. Coker West and Close elds Ryeﬁ Almshouses, the past Street,

4 and considerately park Please by. near shop farm a and pub café, a

hidden. Maintain same bearing to the next stile. Go down diagonally across the the across diagonally down Go stile. next the to bearing same Maintain hidden. owned by the National Trust and are East along Continue public. the to open not is it but at look a have to stopping

9 has Coker East ascent. one is there walk this of end the near and slab)

START somewhat and back set is which stile, the over go and hedge, hand right the of

3 open to the public. There are far worth is This right. the on here along found be can House Manor century 15th A

on country lanes, across ﬁ elds taking in several stiles (and one stone stone one (and stiles several in taking elds ﬁ across lanes, country on

250 metres turn left through the signposted second gateway. Make for the middle middle the for Make gateway. second signposted the through left turn metres 250

reaching views to four counties from left. the on Street Manor Pass Street. East along walk Square the From

1 For 24 hour information visit our website: START

crosses a marshy ﬁ eld so good footwear is recommended. This walk is is walk This recommended. is footwear good so eld ﬁ marshy a crosses

2 approximately after and left the on lane a past road this on continue Yeovil, the top on a clear day. The hill used to seen. be can walk your of portion good a – view the admire and tower

Park next to St. Mary’s Church, Hardington Mandeville. Turn left towards towards left Turn Mandeville. Hardington Church, Mary’s St. to next Park

see St. Michael’s Church the memorial to TS Eliot. Part of this walk walk this of Part Eliot. TS to memorial the Church Michael’s St. see

burnt down in the last century and was rebuilt. Have a rest on the bench by the the by bench the on rest a Have rebuilt. was and century last the in down burnt 13 be a Norman Motte & Bailey Castle, Church. the at parking car is there and

round, tapering tower is also known as Messiter’s Cone. You can also also can You Cone. Messiter’s as known also is tower tapering round, and it is thought that the laird of the www.southsomersetcountryside.com church this tower the from Apart side. opposite the on churchyard the into gate Start in the Square of West Coker. Buses stop here near the post ofﬁ ce ce ofﬁ post the near here stop Buses Coker. West of Square the in Start

up some steps to a gate onto a path that leads to a small ﬁ eld with a narrow pinch pinch narrow a with eld ﬁ small a to leads that path a onto gate a to steps some up and wellington boots are recommended). are boots wellington and

castle owned Witcombe and that the This signpost. way 5 the at stile the cross you as horizon the on seen

14 PublishedRidge. by: TourismCoker for Service,descent and Southascent Somersetsteep one Districtwith Council,elds ﬁ across and

path to the tarmac lane. Turn left here, at the bottom of the hill turn right right turn hill the of bottom the at here, left Turn lane. tarmac the to path

gentle slopes. (This path can become very wet in places during winter winter during places in wet very become can path (This slopes. gentle villagers farmed the land for him. The be can Park Barwick in Tower Rose The year of time the on Depending

Hardington Moor Nature Reserve. The walk is on quiet country lanes lanes country quiet on is walk The Reserve. Nature Moor Hardington

Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset. Telephone: 01935 462781 8

tower was built in the 19th century as enclosed the along walk and cottages stone the after left then right, Turn be visited en route. There is a steep ascent to Coker Ridge as well as as well as Ridge Coker to ascent steep a is There route. en visited be circumnavigated the world three times, the ﬁ rst person to do so. so. do to person rst ﬁ the times, three world the circumnavigated

3 Email: [email protected] parkland and Mill Coker North House, Manor Coker West pass

10 an observation tower. The village of

you will ﬁ nd the stile and steps down to a lane. a to down steps and stile the nd ﬁ will you There are also two churches and a National Nature Reserve that can can that Reserve Nature National a and churches two also are There

START and 1652 in Coker East in born was He captain. Naval and pirate

1 Montacute is named after St. Michael’s Photo credits:also will You South Somersetvalley. and Districtvillages CouncilHardington andthe of Brianviews Mounsherspectacular

and over the next two fi elds. If you use the pole in the second fi eld as a bearing bearing a as eld fi second the in pole the use you If elds. fi two next the over and This walk has many spectacular views of South Somerset and Dorset. Dorset. and Somerset South of views spectacular many has walk This Hymerford House is reported to be the home of William Dampier a a Dampier William of home the be to reported is House Hymerford

Hill as Montacute means steep hill. Designed by: with www.rocketbox.co.uk Coker East and Coker ©SSDCWest of 2018villages the visits walk This path across the road to the right of the buildings. Pass next to the buildings buildings the to next Pass buildings. the of right the to road the across path

There is a good view of Montacute 7 Turn left up the farm drive to a road (Penn Lane) and follow the signposted signposted the follow and Lane) (Penn road a to drive farm the up left Turn Hardington Parish Walk Parish Hardington Walk Parish Coker East

House, built by the Phelips family in Walk Parish Coker West

1601. The park itself is a county allowed). now access (restricted

2 wildlife site due to the abundance of opposite Wood Pen with superb, are south the to Views Lane. Coldharbour

mature trees; most of these are about onto Farm Townsend at gate the through and eld ﬁ next the of top the along km miles km miles km miles

200 years old. Pass through these Ladies Walk, Montacute walk and stile the over Go ditch. a and copse a between footpath signposted a

track past some houses. After the second (white) house bear left and follow follow and left bear house (white) second the After houses. some past track 7 7 4 7 4 East Chinnock to Norton-sub-Hamdon Walks 4

gates and back to the Yeovil road. discoversouthsomerset.com 6 At the next crossroads turn right; after about 100m turn left onto a surfaced surfaced a onto left turn 100m about after right; turn crossroads next the At

SSDC_walks leaflet-20pp_NOV19.indd 1 15/11/2019 13:03 6 At the next crossroads turn right; after about 100m turn left onto a surfaced 4 7 4 7 track past some houses. After the second (white) house bear left and follow 4 7 miles km miles km a signposted footpath between a copse and a ditch. Go over the stile and walk miles km along the top of the next fi eld and through the gate at Townsend Farm onto Coldharbour Lane. Views to the south are superb, with Pen Wood opposite East Coker Parish Walk Hardington Parish Walk (restricted access now allowed). West Coker Parish Walk 7 Turn left up the farm drive to a road (Penn Lane) and follow the signposted path across the road to the right of the buildings. Pass next to the buildings This walk visits the villages of West Coker and East Coker with Hymerford House is reported to be the home of William Dampier a This walk has many spectacular views of South Somerset and Dorset. and over the next two fi elds. If you use the pole in the second fi eld as a bearing pirate and Naval captain. He was born in East Coker in 1652 and There are also two churches and a National Nature Reserve that can you will fi nd the stile and steps down to a lane. spectacular views of the Hardington villages and valley. You will also pass West Coker Manor House, North Coker Mill and parkland and circumnavigated the world three times, the fi rst person to do so. be visited en route. There is a steep ascent to Coker Ridge as well as Turn right, then left after the stone cottages and walk along the enclosed 8 Hardington Moor Nature Reserve. The walk is on quiet country lanes Depending on the time of year The Rose Tower in Barwick Park can be gentle slopes. (This path can become very wet in places during winter path to the tarmac lane. Turn left here, at the bottom of the hill turn right seen on the horizon as you cross the stile at the 5 way signpost. This and wellington boots are recommended). up some steps to a gate onto a path that leads to a small fi eld with a narrow pinch and across fi elds with one steep ascent and descent for Coker Ridge. round, tapering tower is also known as Messiter’s Cone. You can also gate into the churchyard on the opposite side. Apart from the tower this church Start in the Square of West Coker. Buses stop here near the post offi ce burnt down in the last century and was rebuilt. Have a rest on the bench by the and there is car parking at the Church. see St. Michael’s Church the memorial to TS Eliot. Part of this walk 1 Park next to St. Mary’s Church, Hardington Mandeville. Turn left towards crosses a marshy fi eld so good footwear is recommended. This walk is Yeovil, continue on this road past a lane on the left and after approximately tower and admire the view – a good portion of your walk can be seen. START on country lanes, across fi elds taking in several stiles (and one stone 250 metres turn left through the signposted second gateway. Make for the middle From the Square walk along East Street. Pass Manor Street on the left. A 15th century Manor House can be found along here on the right. This is worth slab) and near the end of this walk there is one ascent. East Coker has of the right hand hedge, and go over the stile, which is set back and somewhat hidden. Maintain same bearing to the next stile. Go down diagonally across the stopping to have a look at but it is not open to the public. Continue along East a café, pub and a farm shop near by. Please park considerately and fi eld to the stile to the right of a large bush. Follow path between the houses to Street, past the Almshouses, Ryefi elds Close and West Coker House. start your walk at the village hall. bridge over Chinnock Brook. Cross the garden of Weavers Cottage; (yes, through Where the road forks, keep left on Halves Lane. Past the recreation ground, the garden) the last weaver to live here was John Hallet, sailcloth weaver, who died 1 turn left, through a metal gate and follow the signposted footpath across the Start at the village hall. Turn left into Halves Lane. At the T junction turn in 1867 aged 87. His family had been tenants since at least 1720. The portman 1 fi eld and over a footbridge in the far right hand corner of the fi eld (not the concrete left signposted North Coker ¼ mile/yeovil. estate sold it in 1920 for £135! Go over the stone stile, to the left of the main bridge in the centre of the hedge); this has the remains of a weir incorporated in to it. gate, into Moor Lane and turn left. At the end of the surfaced road note the old Turn right onto a public bridleway signposted East Coker ½ mile and way Hardington Moor Valley Bear left across an old stone bridge. Thomas Hardy mentions this small hamlet in one 2 stone toilet perches over the brook next to a large willow tree. Follow the brook marked the Monarch’s Way. of his short stories. through the gates. Pass gate to your right signposted Hardington Community fi eld.

Cross the road and follow the footpath signposted to Burton, to the left of the

3 Turn left at the ﬁ rst stile signposted Pavyotts Mill ¾ miles. Follow the At the junction look at the Hamstone sluice, once used as a “sheep dip”, on the 2 footpath behind the back of Hymerford House Gardens reported to be the upstream side of the new bridge. 4 Forester’s Arms to Skinners Hill Farm. Look for wildfowl in the large pond on Yeovil around home of pirate and naval captain William Dampier. At the end of the ﬁ eld, cross the right before the farm. At the farm turn left along the road and follow this around

Turn right up the lane (Coker Hill Lane) until, after a bend, on your right you 5 to the right to East Coker. 2 countryside the stile by the 5 way signpost. see the gateway into the National Nature Reserve (after a rest on the bench 3

Continue straight ahead, following the stream which is on your left and cross if needed!) This is Hardington Moor nature reserve and is managed for wildlife by 3 Go past the recreation ground then follow the signposted footpath on the 4 the Discovering a number of stiles. You will come to a bridge with two metal gates. Cross the Natural England using a local grazier. It is characteristic of pre-war Somerset. The right to North Coker Mill. Cross the ﬁ eld following the left ﬁ eld boundary.

bridge and turn right. The stream is now on your right. Follow the hedgerow and rich hay meadows are abundant with wildfl owers and butterfl ies in the spring and Cross quite a tricky stile next to the mill on to a tarmac lane. summer. The reserve consists of three fi elds; go through the kissing gate. Keep the then through a gate with fencing on either side. Take the gate to your left. walks hedge on your left all the way up the slope until you reach the lane at the top

5 You are now in a marshy fi eld. Keep the hedge on your right and continue (Ridge Lane). to the corner of the fi eld up a slight slope and cross the stile. 3 Turn left into Ridge Lane along to a T-junction with Coker Hill Lane. The circular 9 6 Follow the hedgerow on your left until you see a gate and Patchlake views here on a good day are spectacular, from the transmitting station at START Cottage in front of you. Go through the gate signposted Monarch’s Way Rampisham, through Beaminster Down & Winyards Gap to Crewkerne and and follow the path around the Cottage’s garden and then over a stile and through Windwhistle. 2 the gate to your right. 2 3 4 Turn left down Coker Hill, past the pretty hamstone cottages to the 7 Follow the path along the edge of the fi eld signposted Monarch’s Way and signposted 2 in 1 metal gate on your right, just before the Hardington Barwick ½ mile. Mandeville village sign. Be careful of the low, electric fence and go through the 1 1 gate and cross the fi eld over the waymarked stile. Bear left and then cross a 7 At the end of the fi eld, walk up to the road junction and take the road to 8 second fi eld, under the telegraph wire to a gate in the middle of the hedge. Pass START your right. After 100 meters on your left there will be a bridleway 4 through the gate and keeping the hedge on your right proceed to the next gate. signposted Monarch’s Way, follow this. At the end of the bridleway you will see 6 8

Follow the waymarked direction across the next ﬁ eld towards the church to ﬁ nd the Tarrants House on your left. Take the road to your left, you are now in Lower East bridge and stile into an enclosed track. Follow this track until it joins a more open Yeovil around

Coker Road and continue until you come to the T junction. lane and turn left. A diversion here to St. Mary’s Church in East Chinnock is

At the T-junction turn left and continue on the Yeovil road, after 50 metres on worthwhile to see the unique windows given by the late POW Gunther Anton as a 9 vales & hills the your right, follow the sign-post for Placket Lane ¼ mile. You will see 2 houses token of the friendliness shown to him by the villagers during the war. There is a 6

on the right. Continue on the path to your left. At the end of the footpath, take the post offi ce in East Chinnock where you can replenish snack and drink supplies. 7 road to your left signposted Nash Lane. At the T-junction, bear right. You will pass Go through the metal gate ahead and cross the large fi eld to a concrete Walking 5 some cottages and a post-box on your left. Pass Nash Priory and bear left. bridge over the brook. Don’t be tempted to cross the wooden stile. Keep the hedge to your right. For those with time a pause here for bird watching may be 5 10 The track becomes a wooded hollow. Where the footpaths meet, take the path to the left signposted Burton Lane. You will reach the Christian worth while, kingfi shers and buzzards can often be seen. Keep heading south over Fellowship Chapel as the footpath opens up on to Burton Lane. Turn right and two fi elds with the hedge on your right. Follow the hedge into the second fi eld and proceed to the T-junction. head straight on through a gateway into an enclosed track (Holten’s Lane). Climb Hardington Moor the lane up to the road and turn left.

At the next crossroads turn right; after about 100m turn left onto a surfaced these is the parish boundary marker between Odcombe and Norton-sub-Hamdon. Bear left and follow the road for about 200 yards to the turning on the right Turn right and follow the lane to a crossroads. Cross straight over and follow 11 Turn right and immediate left into Broad Acres, bearing left at the fork. This is 6 7 4 4 7 a residential road. Turn right into Long Furlong Lane and4 follow the road7 track past some houses. After the second (white) house5 bear left and8 follow Near the bottom of the hill the lane becomes enclosed by steep hamstone banks, to Odcombe. Take care crossing the road and follow the 4lane to Odcombe7 for the lane for just under 0.6 mile (1 km). You will pass the lodge and the 2 km a signposted footpath between a copse and a ditch. Go over the stile and walk miles km round to the left. Turn right signposted Hollywell ¼ mile, passingmiles cottages on kmyour miles km these are characteristic of the area, look at the many ferns growing on these damp about 50 yards before bearing right, up a steep bank and throughmiles signposted kmgate. grounds of Coker Court on the left. Look at the Harts Tongue fern growing on the A303 along the top of the next fi eld and through the gate at Townsend Farm onto banks. damp hedge bank on the right of the lane. To the left are views over Coker Court 1 mile left. Leave this track to the right and follow the footpath straight ahead. You will Follow the path to the right keeping the hedge on the right and follow the A37 Coldharbour Lane. Views to the south are superb, with Pen Wood opposite 8 Park/North Coker Park with its majestic parkland trees. reach the Forester’s Arms Pub where the footpath fi nishes. Turn left past the pub and Turn right through the second fi eld gate into Ham Hill Country Park. This is yellow arrows. Cross the stile into Woodhouse Covert. The woodland path is follow the road taking care until you see the signpost for East Coker. (restricted access now allowed). 3 IRON AGE East Coker Parish Walk Hardington Parish Walk Odcombe Parish Walk Witcombe Valley and is owned by South Somerset District Council; it is aboutWest ¼ mile long andCoker ends with a steep Parish ascent up a series of steps.Walk At the top cross 5 Pass Sleights Cottage on the left, and turn right, over a stile, cross the fi eld RAMBLE Take the road to your left up a slight slope. Continue along this road for a 7 Turn left up the farm drive to a road (Penn Lane) and follow the signposted managed for conservation and recreation whilst preserving the archaeological a stile into a fi eld and keep to the left of this fi eld. You will pass a long wall; this is for along the signposted footpath. There are views of Pen Wood and Coker 12 path across the road to the right of the buildings. Pass next to the buildings remnants in the area. Follow the path along the bottom of the valley keeping left of a the Old Burial Ground said to date from time of the Civil War. At the walls end cross Wood in the distance and Moors Plantation on the far side of the valley. In the ODCOMBE ¼ mile taking care. Look for a gap in the hedge on the right and a signpost This walk has some good views of the surrounding countryside. This walk visits the villages of West Coker and East Coker with A3088 YEOVIL Hymerford House is reported to be the home of William Dampier a This walk has many spectacular views of South Somerset and Dorset. and over the next two fi elds. If you use the pole in the second fi eld as a bearing small group of trees in the base of the valley until reaching a path which bears right a stile to a track and turn right to Ham Hill Road. middle of the valley nestles the hamlet of Lyatts at the start of the Hardington Vale. COUNTRY saying St. Michael’s Church ¾ mile. Go over a stone slab and stile. Walk diagonally spectacular views of the Hardington villages and valley. You will also PARK pirate and Naval captain. He was born in East Coker in 1652 and There are also two churches and a National Nature Reserve that can Ityou also will hasfi nd thehistorical stile and and steps archaeological down to a lane. points of interest such as a up the side of the valley. The hill on the left is the edge of the Iron Age hill fort Ham Follow the ridge through a hunt gate, then over a stile to a track, which can get very YEOVIL across the fi eld, keeping to the left of the telegraph pole. Cross the stile and head pass WestOn reaching Coker ManorHam Hill House,Road, take North care Cokerand cross Mill over and into parkland signposted and circumnavigated the world three times, the fi rst person to do so. be visited en route. There is a steep ascent to Coker Ridge as well as mediaeval village, ramparts, a tower and a stately home. The walk has Hill; the ramparts were constructed to keep out attackers. The depressions in the 9 muddy. Go straight on along the track to Primrose Hill. A30 to the top of the fi eld where there are lovely views. Cross the stile and at the end Turn right, then left after the stone cottages and walk along the enclosed bridleway known as Pit Lane. There are views to the right of Pit Wood Depending on the time of year The Rose Tower in Barwick Park can be gentle slopes. (This path can become very wet in places during winter several8 ascents and descents as it explores the local valleys. hillside to the right are the remains of the mediaeval village of Witcombe; the pond Hardington Moor Nature Reserve. The walk is on quiet country lanes of the track, take care while walking diagonally across the road and go through the path to the tarmac lane. Turn left here, at the bottom of the hill turn right and ponds. At the Primrose Hill crossroads cross over into the lane opposite. Bear left at NINESPRINGS was the water supply for the village and the gorse growing on the hillside was used and across fi elds with one steep ascent and descent for Coker Ridge. 6 seen on the horizon as you cross the stile at the 5 way signpost. This kissingand wellington gate. You are boots now areentering recommended). Coker Court Park. up some steps to a gate onto a path that leads to a small fi eld with a narrow pinch the fi rst junction and follow the ridge lane for 0.6 mile (1 km). From this lane gateSTART into theFrom churchyard the village on hall the walk opposite clockwise side. around Apart fromthe football the tower pitch this until church to fi re their kilns. A rare plant, Green Hellibore, grows near the pond. The villagers Start inAfter the ¼ Square mile turn of left West along Coker. another Buses less well-defi stop nedhere lane. near There the are post active offi ce round, tapering tower is also known as Messiter’s Cone. You can also 10 there are outstanding views to the left across the Hardington Valley. The hamstone To your right, you will see two houses in the distance. Walk towards the grew this for medicinal purposes. Follow this path and at the top bear left along a and therebadger is carsetts parking here as the at Yeovil the Church. sands soil is easy for them to dig. Follow this see St. Michael’s Church the memorial to TS Eliot. Part of this walk 13 Park next to St. Mary’s Church, Hardington Mandeville. Turn left towards reachingburnt down some in stepsthe last on century the left. and Go wasdown rebuilt. these stepsHave intoa rest Chapel on the Hill bench and turnby the left. cottages of Hardington Moor can be seen in the valley bottom and Hardington 1 rear of the cottages via the footbridge over the stream. track to leave the valley. path past the Manor Farm buildings to the Ham Hill Road and turn right. Turn left next crosses a marshy fi eld so good footwear is recommended. This walk is Yeovil, continue on this road past a lane on the left and after approximately Youtower will and pass admire two former the view Methodist – a good Chapels portion and of youra war walk memorial can be (1914-1919). seen. Mandeville can be seen on the ridge. On the left of this lane you will fi nd the toSTART the Old School House and retrace your steps to the village hall and the car park. WEST COKER A37 250 metresGo through turn left the through gate andthe keepsignposted straight second on the gateway. road as farMake as thefor the middle From the Square walk along East Street. Pass Manor Street on the left. A30 on country lanes, across fi elds taking in several stiles (and one stone 14 4 At the main road turn right and walk past Hollow Lane, then turn left and go meadows which make up Hardington Moor National Nature Reserve. This nature of the right Almshouses. hand hedge, At this and point go over to your the stile,right whichyou will is setsee backSt. Michael’s and somewhat Church, At the top go past the Old Church School (now a private House) to the main through a signposted gap. Follow the path keeping the hedge on the left. A 15th century Manor House can be found along here on the right. This is worth reserve is managed for wildlife by Natural England using a local grazier and is slab) and near the end of this walk there is one ascent. East Coker has 1 stopping to have a look at but it is not open to the public. Continue along East wherehidden. there Maintain is the sameresting bearing place andto the memorial next stile. of TS Go Eliot. down Continue diagonally down across the thehill road and cross this into Street Lane. Follow this narrow lane for ½ mile (0.75 There are views of Hedgecock Hill Woods to the left. characteristic of pre-war Somerset. Its rich hay meadows are abundant with a café, pub and a farm shop near by. Please park considerately and Street, past the Almshouses, Ryefi elds Close and West Coker House. tofi eld the to T-junction the stile toturning the right left ofand a largecontinue bush. to walkFollow along path the between road to the the houses village to hall. km) and turn right into Pit Lane, a wide entrance leads into this track. wildfl owers and butterfl ies; it is well worth a visit in the spring and summer. EAST COKER start your walk at the village hall. bridge over Chinnock Brook. Cross the garden of Weavers Cottage; (yes, through Turn left through a gap into woods at the corner of the fi eld then 5 Where the road forks, keep left on Halves Lane. Past the recreation ground, the garden) the last weaver to live here was John Hallet, sailcloth weaver, who died Where the track forks follow the left track, this is Hockers Hill. Go down immediately right up steps over into a path known as Ladies Walk owned 1 Past the nature reserve, turn right into a lane and down a steep slope into HARDINGTON 2 turn left, through a metal gate and follow the signposted footpath across the 7 BARWICK Start at the village hall. Turn left into Halves Lane. At the T junction turn in 1867 aged 87. His family had been tenants since at least 1720. The portman Hockers Hill, towards Little Norton, for about 0.6 miles (1 km) passing by The National Trust. Part of this path follows an old boundary, and there are West Coker. The lane is called Chur Lane after the song of the Nightjars that & STOFORD 1 fi eld and over a footbridge in the far right hand corner of the fi eld (not the concrete left signposted North Coker ¼ mile/yeovil. estate sold it in 1920 for £135! Go over the stone stile, to the left of the main Westbury Farm on the right. As you walk down the hill there are good views across many mature trees along this stretch. Follow this path around the edge of the once inhabited the area. This sunken lane in a hollow is characteristic of this part of bridge in the centre of the hedge); this has the remains of a weir incorporated in to it. gate, into Moor Lane and turn left. At the end of the surfaced road note the old the valley to the right toward Ham Hill. Keep a look out for two carved stones; one of copse to the bottom, by All Saints Primary School, to the main road. This is New Somerset with its steep smooth hamstone banks. At the bottom of the lane turn right Turn right onto a public bridleway signposted East Coker ½ mile and way Hardington Moor Valley Bear left across an old stone bridge. Thomas Hardy mentions this small hamlet in one 2 stone toilet perches over the brook next to a large willow tree. Follow the brook Road and by turning left Montacute along the A30 and back to the Square in the village centre. marked the Monarch’s Way. of his short stories. through the gates. Pass gate to your right signposted Hardington Community fi eld. and refreshments can be reached.

Turn left at the ﬁ rst stile signposted Pavyotts Mill ¾ miles. Follow the At the junction look at the Hamstone sluice, once used as a “sheep dip”, on the Cross the road and follow the footpath signposted to Burton, to the left of the 3 Take care and cross the road to 2 footpath behind the back of Hymerford House Gardens reported to be the upstream side of the new bridge. 6 Forester’s Arms to Skinners Hill Farm. Look for wildfowl in the large pond on Yeovil around 4 Back Lane, follow this for 200 Please follow the Countryside Code: home of pirate and naval captain William Dampier. At the end of the ﬁ eld, cross 9 the right before the farm. At the farm turn left along the road and follow this around

Turn right up the lane (Coker Hill Lane) until, after a bend, on your right you 5 6 yards until reaching a signposted to the right to East Coker. Be safe, plan ahead, follow any signs. the stile by the 5 way signpost. 2 countryside see the gateway into the10 National Nature Reserve (after a rest on the bench 3 footpath to the right. Follow this path

Continue straight ahead, following the stream which is on your left and cross if needed!) This is Hardington Moor nature reserve and is managed for wildlife 8by into Montacute Park, also owned by 3 Go past the recreation ground then follow the signposted footpath on the Leave gates and property as you fi nd them 4 right to North Coker Mill. Cross the fi eld following the left fi eld boundary. the Discovering a number of stiles. You will come to a bridge with two metal gates. Cross the Natural England using a local grazier. It is characteristic of pre-war Somerset.7 The 7 the National Trust. Keep the fence on Protect plants and animals and take your litter home bridge and turn right. The stream is now on your right. Follow the hedgerow and rich hay meadows are abundant with wildfl owers and butterfl ies in the spring and the right until the corner of the Cross quite a tricky stile next to the mill on to a tarmac lane. summer. The reserve11 consists of three fi elds; go through the kissing gate. Keep the 5 then through a gate with fencing on either side. Take the gate to your left. paddock then bear left under an oak walks Keep dogs under close control hedge on your left all the way up the slope until you reach the lane at the top6 tree straight across the park. On

You are now in a marshy ﬁ eld. Keep the hedge on your right and continue Consider other people

5 (Ridge Lane). reaching an avenue of trees turn right to the corner of the fi eld up a slight slope and cross the stile. Turn left into Ridge Lane along to a T-junction with Coker Hill Lane. The5 4 8 along a track to the Lodge gates. At circular 9 These routes follow public rights of way if you encounter any problems Follow the hedgerow on your left until you see a gate and Patchlake 3 this avenue look behind you. There is a 6 views here on a good day are spectacular, from the transmitting station at START please contact: www.somerset.gov.uk/rightsofway Cottage in front of you. Go through the gate signposted Monarch’s Way 12 Rampisham, through Beaminster Down & Winyards Gap to Crewkerne and good view of St. Michael’s Hill with a and follow the path around the Cottage’s garden and then over a stile and through Windwhistle. 4 2 tower on top. The tower and hill are the gate to your right. owned by the National Trust and are 2 3 4 Turn left downSTART Coker Hill, past the 3pretty hamstone cottages to the 9 open to the public. There are far Follow the path along the edge of the fi eld signposted Monarch’s Way and signposted 2 in 1 metal gate on your right, just before the Hardington 7 reaching views to four counties from Barwick ½ mile. Mandeville village sign. Be careful1 of the low, electric fence and go through the For 24 hour information visit our website: 2 1 the top on a clear day. The hill used to 1 gate and cross the fi eld over the waymarked stile. Bear left and then cross a 7 At the end of the fi eld, walk up to the road junction and take the road to 13 be a Norman Motte & Bailey Castle, 8 second fi eld, under the telegraph wire to a gate in the middle of the hedge. Pass START your right. After 100 meters on your left there will be a bridleway and it is thought that the laird of the 4 www.southsomersetcountryside.com through the gate and keeping the hedge on your right proceed to the next gate. signposted Monarch’s Way, follow this. At the end of the bridleway you will see 6 8 castle owned Witcombe and that the

Follow the waymarked direction14 across the next ﬁ eld towards the church to ﬁ nd the Published by: Tourism Service, South Somerset District Council, Tarrants House on your left. Take the road to your left, you are now in Lower East villagers farmed the land for him. The bridge and stile into an enclosed track. Follow this track until it joins a more open Yeovil around Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset. Telephone: 01935 462781

Coker Road and continue until you come to the T junction. tower was built in the 19th century as lane and turn left. A diversion here to St. Mary’s Church in East Chinnock is 3 10 Email: [email protected]

9 1 Montacute is named after St. Michael’s vales & hills the Photo credits: South Somerset District Council and Brian Mounsher your right, follow the sign-post for Placket Lane ¼ mile. You will see 2 houses token of the friendliness shown to him by the villagers during the war. There is a 6 on the right. Continue on the path to your left. At the end of the footpath, take the post ofﬁ ce in East Chinnock where you can replenish snack and drink supplies. 7 Hill as Montacute means steep hill. Designed by: www.rocketbox.co.uk ©SSDC 2018

road to your left signposted Nash Lane. At the T-junction, bear right. You will pass There is a good view of Montacute Go through the metal gate ahead and cross the large fi eld to a concrete House, built by the Phelips family in Walking some cottages and a post-box on your left. Pass Nash Priory and bear left. 5 bridge over the brook. Don’t be tempted to cross the wooden stile. Keep 1601. The park itself is a county the hedge to your right. For those with time a pause here for bird watching may be 5 10 The track becomes a wooded hollow. Where the footpaths meet, take the 2 wildlife site due to the abundance of path to the left signposted Burton Lane. You will reach the Christian worth while, kingfi shers and buzzards can often be seen. Keep heading south over mature trees; most of these are about Fellowship Chapel as the footpath opens up on to Burton Lane. Turn right and two fi elds with the hedge on your right. Follow the hedge into the second fi eld and 200 years old. Pass through these Ladies Walk, Montacute proceed to the T-junction. head straight on through a gateway into an enclosed track (Holten’s Lane). Climb gates and back toHardington the Yeovil road. Moor East Chinnock to Norton-sub-Hamdon Walks the lane up to the road and turn left. discoversouthsomerset.com

SSDC_walks leaflet-20pp_NOV19.indd 1 15/11/2019 13:03 these is the parish boundary marker between Odcombe and Norton-sub-Hamdon. Bear left and follow the road for about 200 yards to the turning on the right Turn right and follow the lane to a crossroads. Cross straight over and follow 11 Turn right and immediate left into Broad Acres, bearing left at the fork. This is 7 4 a residential road. Turn right into Long Furlong Lane and follow the road 5 8 Near the bottom of the hill the lane becomes enclosed by steep hamstone banks, to Odcombe. Take care crossing the road and follow the lane to Odcombe for the lane for just under 0.6 mile (1 km). You will pass the lodge and the 2 km round to the left. Turn right signposted Hollywell ¼ mile, passing cottages on your miles km these are characteristic of the area, look at the many ferns growing on these damp about 50 yards before bearing right, up a steep bank and through signposted gate. grounds of Coker Court on the left. Look at the Harts Tongue fern growing on the A303 banks. damp hedge bank on the right of the lane. To the left are views over Coker Court 1 mile left. Leave this track to the right and follow the footpath straight ahead. You will Follow the path to the right keeping the hedge on the right and follow the A37 8 Park/North Coker Park with its majestic parkland trees. reach the Forester’s Arms Pub where the footpath fi nishes. Turn left past the pub and Turn right through the second fi eld gate into Ham Hill Country Park. This is yellow arrows. Cross the stile into Woodhouse Covert. The woodland path is follow the road taking care until you see the signpost for East Coker. 3 IRON AGE Odcombe Parish Walk Witcombe Valley and is owned by South Somerset District Council; it is about ¼ mile long and ends with a steep ascent up a series of steps. At the top cross 5 Pass Sleights Cottage on the left, and turn right, over a stile, cross the fi eld RAMBLE Take the road to your left up a slight slope. Continue along this road for a managed for conservation and recreation whilst preserving the archaeological a stile into a fi eld and keep to the left of this fi eld. You will pass a long wall; this is for along the signposted footpath. There are views of Pen Wood and Coker 12 remnants in the area. Follow the path along the bottom of the valley keeping left of a the Old Burial Ground said to date from time of the Civil War. At the walls end cross Wood in the distance and Moors Plantation on the far side of the valley. In the ODCOMBE ¼ mile taking care. Look for a gap in the hedge on the right and a signpost This walk has some good views of the surrounding countryside. A3088 YEOVIL small group of trees in the base of the valley until reaching a path which bears right a stile to a track and turn right to Ham Hill Road. middle of the valley nestles the hamlet of Lyatts at the start of the Hardington Vale. COUNTRY saying St. Michael’s Church ¾ mile. Go over a stone slab and stile. Walk diagonally PARK It also has historical and archaeological points of interest such as a up the side of the valley. The hill on the left is the edge of the Iron Age hill fort Ham Follow the ridge through a hunt gate, then over a stile to a track, which can get very YEOVIL across the fi eld, keeping to the left of the telegraph pole. Cross the stile and head On reaching Ham Hill Road, take care and cross over into signposted mediaeval village, ramparts, a tower and a stately home. The walk has Hill; the ramparts were constructed to keep out attackers. The depressions in the 9 muddy. Go straight on along the track to Primrose Hill. A30 to the top of the fi eld where there are lovely views. Cross the stile and at the end bridleway known as Pit Lane. There are views to the right of Pit Wood several ascents and descents as it explores the local valleys. hillside to the right are the remains of the mediaeval village of Witcombe; the pond of the track, take care while walking diagonally across the road and go through the and ponds. At the Primrose Hill crossroads cross over into the lane opposite. Bear left at NINESPRINGS was the water supply for the village and the gorse growing on the hillside was used 6 kissing gate. You are now entering Coker Court Park. the fi rst junction and follow the ridge lane for 0.6 mile (1 km). From this lane START From the village hall walk clockwise around the football pitch until to fi re their kilns. A rare plant, Green Hellibore, grows near the pond. The villagers After ¼ mile turn left along another less well-defi ned lane. There are active 10 there are outstanding views to the left across the Hardington Valley. The hamstone To your right, you will see two houses in the distance. Walk towards the grew this for medicinal purposes. Follow this path and at the top bear left along a badger setts here as the Yeovil sands soil is easy for them to dig. Follow this 13 reaching some steps on the left. Go down these steps into Chapel Hill and turn left. cottages of Hardington Moor can be seen in the valley bottom and Hardington rear of the cottages via the footbridge over the stream. track to leave the valley. path past the Manor Farm buildings to the Ham Hill Road and turn right. Turn left next You will pass two former Methodist Chapels and a war memorial (1914-1919). Mandeville can be seen on the ridge. On the left of this lane you will fi nd the to the Old School House and retrace your steps to the village hall and the car park. WEST COKER A37 14 Go through the gate and keep straight on the road as far as the At the main road turn right and walk past Hollow Lane, then turn left and go meadows which make up Hardington Moor National Nature Reserve. This nature A30 Almshouses. At this point to your right you will see St. Michael’s Church, 4 1 At the top go past the Old Church School (now a private House) to the main through a signposted gap. Follow the path keeping the hedge on the left. reserve is managed for wildlife by Natural England using a local grazier and is where there is the resting place and memorial of TS Eliot. Continue down the hill road and cross this into Street Lane. Follow this narrow lane for ½ mile (0.75 There are views of Hedgecock Hill Woods to the left. characteristic of pre-war Somerset. Its rich hay meadows are abundant with to the T-junction turning left and continue to walk along the road to the village hall. km) and turn right into Pit Lane, a wide entrance leads into this track. wildfl owers and butterfl ies; it is well worth a visit in the spring and summer. EAST COKER 5 Turn left through a gap into woods at the corner of the fi eld then Where the track forks follow the left track, this is Hockers Hill. Go down immediately right up steps over into a path known as Ladies Walk owned Past the nature reserve, turn right into a lane and down a steep slope into HARDINGTON 2 7 BARWICK Hockers Hill, towards Little Norton, for about 0.6 miles (1 km) passing by The National Trust. Part of this path follows an old boundary, and there are West Coker. The lane is called Chur Lane after the song of the Nightjars that & STOFORD Westbury Farm on the right. As you walk down the hill there are good views across many mature trees along this stretch. Follow this path around the edge of the once inhabited the area. This sunken lane in a hollow is characteristic of this part of the valley to the right toward Ham Hill. Keep a look out for two carved stones; one of copse to the bottom, by All Saints Primary School, to the main road. This is New Somerset with its steep smooth hamstone banks. At the bottom of the lane turn right Road and by turning left Montacute along the A30 and back to the Square in the village centre. and refreshments can be reached. 6 Take care and cross the road to 9 Back Lane, follow this for 200 Please follow the Countryside Code: 6 yards until reaching a signposted Be safe, plan ahead, follow any signs. 10 footpath to the right. Follow this path 8 into Montacute Park, also owned by Leave gates and property as you fi nd them 7 7 the National Trust. Keep the fence on Protect plants and animals and take your litter home 5 the right until the corner of the 11 paddock then bear left under an oak Keep dogs under close control 6 tree straight across the park. On Consider other people reaching an avenue of trees turn right 5 4 8 along a track to the Lodge gates. At These routes follow public rights of way if you encounter any problems this avenue look behind you. There is a please contact: www.somerset.gov.uk/rightsofway 12 good view of St. Michael’s Hill with a 4 tower on top. The tower and hill are owned by the National Trust and are START 3 9 open to the public. There are far 1 reaching views to four counties from For 24 hour information visit our website: 2 the top on a clear day. The hill used to 13 be a Norman Motte & Bailey Castle, and it is thought that the laird of the www.southsomersetcountryside.com castle owned Witcombe and that the 14 Published by: Tourism Service, South Somerset District Council, villagers farmed the land for him. The Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset. Telephone: 01935 462781 tower was built in the 19th century as 3 10 Email: [email protected] START an observation tower. The village of 1 Montacute is named after St. Michael’s Photo credits: South Somerset District Council and Brian Mounsher Hill as Montacute means steep hill. Designed by: www.rocketbox.co.uk ©SSDC 2018 There is a good view of Montacute House, built by the Phelips family in 1601. The park itself is a county 2 wildlife site due to the abundance of mature trees; most of these are about 200 years old. Pass through these Ladies Walk, Montacute East Chinnock to Norton-sub-Hamdon Walks gates and back to the Yeovil road. discoversouthsomerset.com

Cross the road and follow the footpath signposted to Burton, to the left of the

Continue straight ahead, following the stream which is on your left and cross if needed!) This is Hardington Moor nature reserve and is managed for wildlife by 3 Go past the recreation ground then follow the signposted footpath on the 4 the Discovering a number of stiles. You will come to a bridge with two metal gates. Cross the Natural England using a local grazier. It is characteristic of pre-war Somerset. The right to North Coker Mill. Cross the ﬁ eld following the left ﬁ eld boundary.

Coker Road and continue until you come to the T junction. lane and turn left. A diversion here to St. Mary’s Church in East Chinnock is

these is the parish boundary marker between Odcombe and Norton-sub-Hamdon. Bear left and follow the road for about 200 yards to the turning on the right Turn right and follow the lane to a crossroads. Cross straight over and follow 11 Turn right and immediate left into Broad Acres, bearing left at the fork. This is 7 4 a residential road. Turn right into Long Furlong Lane and follow the road 5 8 Near the bottom of the hill the lane becomes enclosed by steep hamstone banks, to Odcombe. Take care crossing the road and follow the lane to Odcombe for the lane for just under 0.6 mile (1 km). You will pass the lodge and the 2 km round to the left. Turn right signposted Hollywell ¼ mile, passing cottages on your miles km these are characteristic of the area, look at the many ferns growing on these damp about 50 yards before bearing right, up a steep bank and through signposted gate. grounds of Coker Court on the left. Look at the Harts Tongue fern growing on the A303 banks. damp hedge bank on the right of the lane. To the left are views over Coker Court 1 mile left. Leave this track to the right and follow the footpath straight ahead. You will Follow the path to the right keeping the hedge on the right and follow the A37 8 Park/North Coker Park with its majestic parkland trees. reach the Forester’s Arms Pub where the footpath fi nishes. Turn left past the pub and Turn right through the second fi eld gate into Ham Hill Country Park. This is yellow arrows. Cross the stile into Woodhouse Covert. The woodland path is follow the road taking care until you see the signpost for East Coker. 3 IRON AGE Odcombe Parish Walk Witcombe Valley and is owned by South Somerset District Council; it is about ¼ mile long and ends with a steep ascent up a series of steps. At the top cross 5 Pass Sleights Cottage on the left, and turn right, over a stile, cross the fi eld RAMBLE Take the road to your left up a slight slope. Continue along this road for a managed for conservation and recreation whilst preserving the archaeological a stile into a fi eld and keep to the left of this fi eld. You will pass a long wall; this is for along the signposted footpath. There are views of Pen Wood and Coker 12 remnants in the area. Follow the path along the bottom of the valley keeping left of a the Old Burial Ground said to date from time of the Civil War. At the walls end cross Wood in the distance and Moors Plantation on the far side of the valley. In the ODCOMBE ¼ mile taking care. Look for a gap in the hedge on the right and a signpost This walk has some good views of the surrounding countryside. A3088 YEOVIL small group of trees in the base of the valley until reaching a path which bears right a stile to a track and turn right to Ham Hill Road. middle of the valley nestles the hamlet of Lyatts at the start of the Hardington Vale. COUNTRY saying St. Michael’s Church ¾ mile. Go over a stone slab and stile. Walk diagonally PARK It also has historical and archaeological points of interest such as a up the side of the valley. The hill on the left is the edge of the Iron Age hill fort Ham Follow the ridge through a hunt gate, then over a stile to a track, which can get very YEOVIL across the fi eld, keeping to the left of the telegraph pole. Cross the stile and head On reaching Ham Hill Road, take care and cross over into signposted mediaeval village, ramparts, a tower and a stately home. The walk has Hill; the ramparts were constructed to keep out attackers. The depressions in the 9 muddy. Go straight on along the track to Primrose Hill. A30 to the top of the fi eld where there are lovely views. Cross the stile and at the end bridleway known as Pit Lane. There are views to the right of Pit Wood several ascents and descents as it explores the local valleys. hillside to the right are the remains of the mediaeval village of Witcombe; the pond of the track, take care while walking diagonally across the road and go through the and ponds. At the Primrose Hill crossroads cross over into the lane opposite. Bear left at NINESPRINGS was the water supply for the village and the gorse growing on the hillside was used 6 kissing gate. You are now entering Coker Court Park. the fi rst junction and follow the ridge lane for 0.6 mile (1 km). From this lane START From the village hall walk clockwise around the football pitch until to fi re their kilns. A rare plant, Green Hellibore, grows near the pond. The villagers After ¼ mile turn left along another less well-defi ned lane. There are active 10 there are outstanding views to the left across the Hardington Valley. The hamstone To your right, you will see two houses in the distance. Walk towards the grew this for medicinal purposes. Follow this path and at the top bear left along a badger setts here as the Yeovil sands soil is easy for them to dig. Follow this 13 reaching some steps on the left. Go down these steps into Chapel Hill and turn left. cottages of Hardington Moor can be seen in the valley bottom and Hardington rear of the cottages via the footbridge over the stream. track to leave the valley. path past the Manor Farm buildings to the Ham Hill Road and turn right. Turn left next You will pass two former Methodist Chapels and a war memorial (1914-1919). Mandeville can be seen on the ridge. On the left of this lane you will fi nd the to the Old School House and retrace your steps to the village hall and the car park. WEST COKER A37 14 Go through the gate and keep straight on the road as far as the At the main road turn right and walk past Hollow Lane, then turn left and go meadows which make up Hardington Moor National Nature Reserve. This nature A30 Almshouses. At this point to your right you will see St. Michael’s Church, 4 1 At the top go past the Old Church School (now a private House) to the main through a signposted gap. Follow the path keeping the hedge on the left. reserve is managed for wildlife by Natural England using a local grazier and is where there is the resting place and memorial of TS Eliot. Continue down the hill road and cross this into Street Lane. Follow this narrow lane for ½ mile (0.75 There are views of Hedgecock Hill Woods to the left. characteristic of pre-war Somerset. Its rich hay meadows are abundant with to the T-junction turning left and continue to walk along the road to the village hall. km) and turn right into Pit Lane, a wide entrance leads into this track. wildfl owers and butterfl ies; it is well worth a visit in the spring and summer. EAST COKER 5 Turn left through a gap into woods at the corner of the fi eld then Where the track forks follow the left track, this is Hockers Hill. Go down immediately right up steps over into a path known as Ladies Walk owned Past the nature reserve, turn right into a lane and down a steep slope into HARDINGTON 2 7 BARWICK Hockers Hill, towards Little Norton, for about 0.6 miles (1 km) passing by The National Trust. Part of this path follows an old boundary, and there are West Coker. The lane is called Chur Lane after the song of the Nightjars that & STOFORD Westbury Farm on the right. As you walk down the hill there are good views across many mature trees along this stretch. Follow this path around the edge of the once inhabited the area. This sunken lane in a hollow is characteristic of this part of the valley to the right toward Ham Hill. Keep a look out for two carved stones; one of copse to the bottom, by All Saints Primary School, to the main road. This is New Somerset with its steep smooth hamstone banks. At the bottom of the lane turn right Road and by turning left Montacute along the A30 and back to the Square in the village centre. and refreshments can be reached. 6 Take care and cross the road to 9 Back Lane, follow this for 200 Please follow the Countryside Code: 6 yards until reaching a signposted Be safe, plan ahead, follow any signs. 10 footpath to the right. Follow this path 8 into Montacute Park, also owned by Leave gates and property as you fi nd them 7 7 the National Trust. Keep the fence on Protect plants and animals and take your litter home 5 the right until the corner of the 11 paddock then bear left under an oak Keep dogs under close control 6 tree straight across the park. On Consider other people reaching an avenue of trees turn right 5 4 8 along a track to the Lodge gates. At These routes follow public rights of way if you encounter any problems this avenue look behind you. There is a please contact: www.somerset.gov.uk/rightsofway 12 good view of St. Michael’s Hill with a 4 tower on top. The tower and hill are owned by the National Trust and are START 3 9 open to the public. There are far 1 reaching views to four counties from For 24 hour information visit our website: 2 the top on a clear day. The hill used to 13 be a Norman Motte & Bailey Castle, and it is thought that the laird of the www.southsomersetcountryside.com castle owned Witcombe and that the 14 Published by: Tourism Service, South Somerset District Council, villagers farmed the land for him. The Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset. Telephone: 01935 462781 tower was built in the 19th century as 3 10 Email: [email protected] START an observation tower. The village of 1 Montacute is named after St. Michael’s Photo credits: South Somerset District Council and Brian Mounsher Hill as Montacute means steep hill. Designed by: www.rocketbox.co.uk ©SSDC 2018 There is a good view of Montacute House, built by the Phelips family in 1601. The park itself is a county 2 wildlife site due to the abundance of mature trees; most of these are about 200 years old. Pass through these Ladies Walk, Montacute East Chinnock to Norton-sub-Hamdon Walks gates and back to the Yeovil road. discoversouthsomerset.com

Cross the road and follow the footpath signposted to Burton, to the left of the

home of pirate and naval captain William Dampier. At the end of the ﬁ eld, cross the right before the farm. At the farm turn left along the road and follow this around

Turn right up the lane (Coker Hill Lane) until, after a bend, on your right you 5 to the right to East Coker. 2 countryside

the stile by the 5 way signpost. see the gateway into the National Nature Reserve (after a rest on the bench 3

Continue straight ahead, following the stream which is on your left and cross if needed!) This is Hardington Moor nature reserve and is managed for wildlife by 3 Go past the recreation ground then follow the signposted footpath on the 4 the Discovering a number of stiles. You will come to a bridge with two metal gates. Cross the Natural England using a local grazier. It is characteristic of pre-war Somerset. The right to North Coker Mill. Cross the ﬁ eld following the left ﬁ eld boundary.

signposted Monarch’s Way, follow this. At the end of the bridleway you will see 6 8

Coker Road and continue until you come to the T junction. lane and turn left. A diversion here to St. Mary’s Church in East Chinnock is

on the right. Continue on the path to your left. At the end of the footpath, take the post ofﬁ ce in East Chinnock where you can replenish snack and drink supplies. 7

road to your left signposted Nash Lane. At the T-junction, bear right. You will pass Go through the metal gate ahead and cross the large fi eld to a concrete Walking 5 some cottages and a post-box on your left. Pass Nash Priory and bear left. bridge over the brook. Don’t be tempted to cross the wooden stile. Keep the hedge to your right. For those with time a pause here for bird watching may be 5 10 The track becomes a wooded hollow. Where the footpaths meet, take the path to the left signposted Burton Lane. You will reach the Christian worth while, kingfi shers and buzzards can often be seen. Keep heading south over Fellowship Chapel as the footpath opens up on to Burton Lane. Turn right and two fi elds with the hedge on your right. Follow the hedge into the second fi eld and proceed to the T-junction. head straight on through a gateway into an enclosed track (Holten’s Lane). Climb Hardington Moor the lane up to the road and turn left.

Turn right and immediate left into Broad Acres, bearing left at the fork. This is these is the parish boundary marker between Odcombe and Norton-sub-Hamdon. 7 Bear left and follow the road for about 200 yards to the turning on the right 4 Turn right and follow the lane to a crossroads. Cross straight over and follow At the next crossroads turn right; after about 100m turn left onto a surfaced 11 5 8 6 a residential road. Turn right into Long Furlong Lane and follow the road Near the bottom of the hill the lane becomes enclosed by steep hamstone banks, to Odcombe. Take care crossing the road and follow the lane to Odcombe for the lane for just under 0.6 mile (1 km). You will pass the lodge and the 2 km 4 7 4 7 track past some houses. After the second (white) house bear left and follow 4 7 round to the left. Turn right signposted Hollywell ¼ mile, passing cottages on your miles km these are characteristic of the area, look at the many ferns growing on these damp about 50 yards before bearing right, up a steep bank and through signposted gate. grounds of Coker Court on the left. Look at the Harts Tongue fern growing on the A303 a signposted footpath between a copse and a ditch. Go over the stile and walk banks. damp hedge bank on the right of the lane. To the left are views over Coker Court 1 mile miles km miles km left. Leave this track to the right and follow the footpath straight ahead. You will miles km Follow the path to the right keeping the hedge on the right and follow the A37 along the top of the next fi eld and through the gate at Townsend Farm onto reach the Forester’s Arms Pub where the footpath fi nishes. Turn left past the pub and 8 Park/North Coker Park with its majestic parkland trees. Coldharbour Lane. Views to the south are superb, with Pen Wood opposite Turn right through the second fi eld gate into Ham Hill Country Park. This is yellow arrows. Cross the stile into Woodhouse Covert. The woodland path is IRON AGE follow the road taking care until you see the signpost for East Coker. 3 (restricted access now allowed). Odcombe Parish Walk Witcombe Valley and is owned by South Somerset District Council; it is about ¼ mile long and ends with a steep ascent up a series of steps. At the top cross 5 Pass Sleights Cottage on the left, and turn right, over a stile, cross the fi eld RAMBLE East Coker Parish Walk Hardington Parish Walk Take the road to your left up a slight slope. Continue along this road for a West Coker Parish Walk managed for conservation and recreation whilst preserving the archaeological a stile into a fi eld and keep to the left of this fi eld. You will pass a long wall; this is for along the signposted footpath. There are views of Pen Wood and Coker ODCOMBE 7 Turn left up the farm drive to a road (Penn Lane) and follow the signposted 12 remnants in the area. Follow the path along the bottom of the valley keeping left of a the Old Burial Ground said to date from time of the Civil War. At the walls end cross Wood in the distance and Moors Plantation on the far side of the valley. In the ¼ mile taking care. Look for a gap in the hedge on the right and a signpost This walk has some good views of the surrounding countryside. A3088 YEOVIL path across the road to the right of the buildings. Pass next to the buildings small group of trees in the base of the valley until reaching a path which bears right a stile to a track and turn right to Ham Hill Road. middle of the valley nestles the hamlet of Lyatts at the start of the Hardington Vale. COUNTRY Hymerford House is reported to be the home of William Dampier a This walk has many spectacular views of South Somerset and Dorset. saying St. Michael’s Church ¾ mile. Go over a stone slab and stile. Walk diagonally This walk visits the villages of West Coker and East Coker with PARK and over the next two fi elds. If you use the pole in the second fi eld as a bearing It also has historical and archaeological points of interest such as a up the side of the valley. The hill on the left is the edge of the Iron Age hill fort Ham Follow the ridge through a hunt gate, then over a stile to a track, which can get very YEOVIL pirate and Naval captain. He was born in East Coker in 1652 and There are also two churches and a National Nature Reserve that can you will fi nd the stile and steps down to a lane. across the fi eld, keeping to the left of the telegraph pole. Cross the stile and head spectacular views of the Hardington villages and valley. You will also On reaching Ham Hill Road, take care and cross over into signposted mediaeval village, ramparts, a tower and a stately home. The walk has Hill; the ramparts were constructed to keep out attackers. The depressions in the 9 muddy. Go straight on along the track to Primrose Hill. A30 to the top of the fi eld where there are lovely views. Cross the stile and at the end pass West Coker Manor House, North Coker Mill and parkland and bridleway known as Pit Lane. There are views to the right of Pit Wood circumnavigated the world three times, the fi rst person to do so. be visited en route. There is a steep ascent to Coker Ridge as well as Turn right, then left after the stone cottages and walk along the enclosed several ascents and descents as it explores the local valleys. hillside to the right are the remains of the mediaeval village of Witcombe; the pond 8 of the track, take care while walking diagonally across the road and go through the Hardington Moor Nature Reserve. The walk is on quiet country lanes and ponds. At the Primrose Hill crossroads cross over into the lane opposite. Bear left at NINESPRINGS Depending on the time of year The Rose Tower in Barwick Park can be gentle slopes. (This path can become very wet in places during winter path to the tarmac lane. Turn left here, at the bottom of the hill turn right kissing gate. You are now entering Coker Court Park. was the water supply for the village and the gorse growing on the hillside was used 6 and across fi elds with one steep ascent and descent for Coker Ridge. the fi rst junction and follow the ridge lane for 0.6 mile (1 km). From this lane seen on the horizon as you cross the stile at the 5 way signpost. This and wellington boots are recommended). up some steps to a gate onto a path that leads to a small fi eld with a narrow pinch START From the village hall walk clockwise around the football pitch until to fi re their kilns. A rare plant, Green Hellibore, grows near the pond. The villagers After ¼ mile turn left along another less well-defi ned lane. There are active 10 there are outstanding views to the left across the Hardington Valley. The hamstone gate into the churchyard on the opposite side. Apart from the tower this church To your right, you will see two houses in the distance. Walk towards the Start in the Square of West Coker. Buses stop here near the post offi ce grew this for medicinal purposes. Follow this path and at the top bear left along a badger setts here as the Yeovil sands soil is easy for them to dig. Follow this round, tapering tower is also known as Messiter’s Cone. You can also 13 reaching some steps on the left. Go down these steps into Chapel Hill and turn left. cottages of Hardington Moor can be seen in the valley bottom and Hardington burnt down in the last century and was rebuilt. Have a rest on the bench by the rear of the cottages via the footbridge over the stream. and there is car parking at the Church. track to leave the valley. path past the Manor Farm buildings to the Ham Hill Road and turn right. Turn left next see St. Michael’s Church the memorial to TS Eliot. Part of this walk 1 Park next to St. Mary’s Church, Hardington Mandeville. Turn left towards You will pass two former Methodist Chapels and a war memorial (1914-1919). Mandeville can be seen on the ridge. On the left of this lane you will fi nd the tower and admire the view – a good portion of your walk can be seen. to the Old School House and retrace your steps to the village hall and the car park. WEST COKER A37 crosses a marshy fi eld so good footwear is recommended. This walk is Yeovil, continue on this road past a lane on the left and after approximately Go through the gate and keep straight on the road as far as the At the main road turn right and walk past Hollow Lane, then turn left and go meadows which make up Hardington Moor National Nature Reserve. This nature A30 14 START From the Square walk along East Street. Pass Manor Street on the left. 4 on country lanes, across fi elds taking in several stiles (and one stone 250 metres turn left through the signposted second gateway. Make for the middle Almshouses. At this point to your right you will see St. Michael’s Church, At the top go past the Old Church School (now a private House) to the main through a signposted gap. Follow the path keeping the hedge on the left. reserve is managed for wildlife by Natural England using a local grazier and is A 115th century Manor House can be found along here on the right. This is worth slab) and near the end of this walk there is one ascent. East Coker has of the right hand hedge, and go over the stile, which is set back and somewhat where there is the resting place and memorial of TS Eliot. Continue down the hill road and cross this into Street Lane. Follow this narrow lane for ½ mile (0.75 There are views of Hedgecock Hill Woods to the left. characteristic of pre-war Somerset. Its rich hay meadows are abundant with hidden. Maintain same bearing to the next stile. Go down diagonally across the to the T-junction turning left and continue to walk along the road to the village hall. stopping to have a look at but it is not open to the public. Continue along East a café, pub and a farm shop near by. Please park considerately and km) and turn right into Pit Lane, a wide entrance leads into this track. wildfl owers and butterfl ies; it is well worth a visit in the spring and summer. EAST COKER fi eld to the stile to the right of a large bush. Follow path between the houses to Street, past the Almshouses, Ryefi elds Close and West Coker House. 5 Turn left through a gap into woods at the corner of the fi eld then start your walk at the village hall. bridge over Chinnock Brook. Cross the garden of Weavers Cottage; (yes, through Where the track forks follow the left track, this is Hockers Hill. Go down immediately right up steps over into a path known as Ladies Walk owned Past the nature reserve, turn right into a lane and down a steep slope into HARDINGTON 2 Where the road forks, keep left on Halves Lane. Past the recreation ground, 7 BARWICK the garden) the last weaver to live here was John Hallet, sailcloth weaver, who died 1 Hockers Hill, towards Little Norton, for about 0.6 miles (1 km) passing by The National Trust. Part of this path follows an old boundary, and there are West Coker. The lane is called Chur Lane after the song of the Nightjars that turn left, through a metal gate and follow the signposted footpath across the & STOFORD Start at the village hall. Turn left into Halves Lane. At the T junction turn in 1867 aged 87. His family had been tenants since at least 1720. The portman Westbury Farm on the right. As you walk down the hill there are good views across many mature trees along this stretch. Follow this path around the edge of the once inhabited the area. This sunken lane in a hollow is characteristic of this part of 1 fi eld and over a footbridge in the far right hand corner of the fi eld (not the concrete left signposted North Coker ¼ mile/yeovil. estate sold it in 1920 for £135! Go over the stone stile, to the left of the main the valley to the right toward Ham Hill. Keep a look out for two carved stones; one of copse to the bottom, by All Saints Primary School, to the main road. This is New Somerset with its steep smooth hamstone banks. At the bottom of the lane turn right bridge in the centre of the hedge); this has the remains of a weir incorporated in to it. gate, into Moor Lane and turn left. At the end of the surfaced road note the old Road and by turning left Montacute along the A30 and back to the Square in the village centre. Turn right onto a public bridleway signposted East Coker ½ mile and way Hardington Moor Valley Bear left across an old stone bridge. Thomas Hardy mentions this small hamlet in one 2 stone toilet perches over the brook next to a large willow tree. Follow the brook and refreshments can be reached. marked the Monarch’s Way. of his short stories. through the gates. Pass gate to your right signposted Hardington Community fi eld. Take care and cross the road to

3 2 Back Lane, follow this for 200 Please follow the Countryside Code: footpath behind the back of Hymerford House Gardens reported to be the upstream side of the new bridge. 9 Forester’s Arms to Skinners Hill Farm. Look for wildfowl in the large pond on Yeovil around 4 yards until reaching a signposted home of pirate and naval captain William Dampier. At the end of the ﬁ eld, cross the right before the farm. At the farm turn left along the road and follow this6 around Be safe, plan ahead, follow any signs.

Turn right up the lane (Coker Hill Lane) until, after a bend, on your right you 5 10 to the right to East Coker. footpath to the right. Follow this path the stile by the 5 way signpost. 2 countryside see the gateway into the National Nature Reserve (after a rest on the bench 3 8 into Montacute Park, also owned by Leave gates and property as you ﬁ nd them

Continue straight ahead, following the stream which is on your left and cross if needed!) This is Hardington Moor nature reserve and is managed for wildlife by 3 Go past the recreation ground then follow the signposted footpath on the the National Trust. Keep the fence on 4 7 right to North Coker Mill. Cross the fi eld following the left fi eld boundary. 7 the Discovering Protect plants and animals and take your litter home a number of stiles. You will come to a bridge with two metal gates. Cross the Natural England using a local grazier. It is characteristic of pre-war Somerset. The 5 the right until the corner of the bridge and turn right. The stream is now on your right. Follow the hedgerow and rich hay meadows are abundant with wildfl owers and butterfl ies in the spring and 11 Cross quite a tricky stile next to the mill on to a tarmac lane. paddock then bear left under an oak Keep dogs under close control summer. The reserve consists of three fi elds; go through the kissing gate. Keep the 6 then through a gate with fencing on either side. Take the gate to your left. tree straight across the park. On walks Consider other people hedge on your left all the way up the slope until you reach the lane at the top reaching an avenue of trees turn right

5 You are now in a marshy fi eld. Keep the hedge on your right and continue (Ridge Lane). to the corner of the fi eld up a slight slope and cross the stile. 5 4 8 along a track to the Lodge gates. At These routes follow public rights of way if you encounter any problems this avenue look behind you. Therecircular is9 a 3 Turn left into Ridge Lane along to a T-junction with Coker Hill Lane. The please contact: www.somerset.gov.uk/rightsofway 6 Follow the hedgerow on your left until you see a gate and Patchlake views here on a good day are spectacular, from the transmitting station at 12 START good view of St. Michael’s Hill with a Cottage in front of you. Go through the gate signposted Monarch’s Way Rampisham, through Beaminster Down & Winyards Gap to Crewkerne and 4 tower on top. The tower and hill are and follow the path around the Cottage’s garden and then over a stile and through Windwhistle. 2 owned by the National Trust and are the gate to your right. START 3 2 3 9 open to the public. There are far Turn left down Coker Hill, past the pretty hamstone cottages to the 4 1 reaching views to four counties from 7 Follow the path along the edge of the fi eld signposted Monarch’s Way and signposted 2 in 1 metal gate on your right, just before the Hardington 2 For 24 hour information visit our website: Barwick ½ mile. Mandeville village sign. Be careful of the low, electric fence and go through the the top on a clear day. The hill used to 1 1 gate and cross the fi eld over the waymarked stile. Bear left and then cross a 13 7 be a Norman Motte & Bailey Castle, At the end of the fi eld, walk up to the road junction and take the road to and it is thought that the laird of the www.southsomersetcountryside.com 8 second fi eld, under the telegraph wire to a gate in the middle of the hedge. Pass START your right. After 100 meters on your left there will be a bridleway 4 through the gate and keeping the hedge on your right proceed to the next gate. 14 castle owned Witcombe and that the signposted Monarch’s Way, follow this. At the end of the bridleway you will see 6 8 Published by: Tourism Service, South Somerset District Council,

Follow the waymarked direction across the next ﬁ eld towards the church to ﬁ nd the villagers farmed the land for him. The Tarrants House on your left. Take the road to your left, you are now in Lower East Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset. Telephone: 01935 462781 bridge and stile into an enclosed track. Follow this track until it joins a more open tower was builtYeovil in the 19th century as around Coker Road and continue until you come to the T junction. 3 10 Email: [email protected] lane and turn left. A diversion here to St. Mary’s Church in East Chinnock is START an observation tower. The village of

At the T-junction turn left and continue on the Yeovil road, after 50 metres on worthwhile to see the unique windows given by the late POW Gunther Anton as a 1 Montacute is named after St. Michael’s Photo credits: South Somerset District Council and Brian Mounsher 9 Hill as vales Montacute & means steephills hill. the Designed by: www.rocketbox.co.uk ©SSDC 2018 your right, follow the sign-post for Placket Lane ¼ mile. You will see 2 houses token of the friendliness shown to him by the villagers during the war. There is a 6 on the right. Continue on the path to your left. At the end of the footpath, take the post ofﬁ ce in East Chinnock where you can replenish snack and drink supplies. 7 There is a good view of Montacute

road to your left signposted Nash Lane. At the T-junction, bear right. You will pass House, built by the Phelips family in Go through the metal gate ahead and cross the large fi eld to a concrete Walking some cottages and a post-box on your left. Pass Nash Priory and bear left. 5 1601. The park itself is a county bridge over the brook. Don’t be tempted to cross the wooden stile. Keep wildlife site due to the abundance of the hedge to your right. For those with time a pause here for bird watching may be 5 2 The track becomes a wooded hollow. Where the footpaths meet, take the mature trees; most of these are about 10 worth while, kingfi shers and buzzards can often be seen. Keep heading south over path to the left signposted Burton Lane. You will reach the Christian 200 years old. Pass through these two fi elds with the hedge on your right. Follow the hedge into the second fi eld and Ladies Walk, Montacute East Chinnock to Norton-sub-Hamdon Walks Fellowship Chapel as the footpath opens up on to Burton Lane. Turn right and gates and back to the Yeovil road. discoversouthsomerset.com proceed to the T-junction. head straight on through a gateway into an enclosed track (Holten’s Lane). Climb Hardington Moor the lane up to the road and turn left.