ramblers routes ramblers routes Britain’s best walks from the experts Britain’s best walks from the experts Southern England Southern England 12/11/2014 14:38 09 Porlock to Lynmouth, Exmoor 10 Sampford Brett, Somerset l Distance 26½km/16½ miles l Time 8hrs l Type Wood, moor and coast l Distance 17km/11 miles l Time 5½hrs l Type Hill NAVIGATION LEVEL FITNESS LEVEL NAVIGATION LEVEL FITNESS LEVEL walk magazine winter 2014 walk magazine winter 2014 plan your walk plan your walk l Bristol PORLOCk

l ExMOOR SOMERSET Barnstaple SAMPFORD BRETT Yeovil l troP Exeter troP l

Exmouth l Torquay l

Where: Linear walk from Where: Linear walk from Porlock to Lynmouth along Sampford Brett via Bicknoller oNa BarL FI PhotograPhy: the Coleridge Way extension. along the Quantock ridge to FIoNa BarL PhotograPhy: Start: Porlock Visitor Centre the A358 at Seven Ash. Originally opened in 2005, the Valley of the Rocks, one of the In 1956, the Quantock Hills were village of Sampford Brett, nestling (SS884468), main car park Start: Car park opposite Coleridge Way was extended this classic Exmoor sights. made England’s first Area of between Exmoor and the Quantocks, nearby along High Bank. village hall, south of church year to make an overall distance Outstanding Natural Beauty. The and follows a stretch of the Way end: Lynmouth Pavilion in Sampford Brett (ST090401). of some 51 miles – an ideal length 1. START From the visitor centre hills stretch south-east from the before climbing on up to the top National Park Centre along end: Bus stop at Seven Ash for a delightful week’s walking (SS884468), bear L to the junction Bristol Channel to just north of of the hills for an exhilarating The Esplanade (SS722496). on A358 by The Old Stag’s holiday. The route, which is signed with the main road and go R, Taunton, a distance of some ridge walk. There are regular bus terrain: Footpaths, Head B&B (ST142333). with a distinctive quill waymark, taking the next R fork just after 12 miles, and reach their highest services along the main road to bridleways, green lanes and terrain: Field and hill starts at the cottage in Nether The Ship Inn (on your L). Follow point of 384m/1,260ft at Wills return you to the start. quiet country lanes, following tracks and country lanes. Stowey where Coleridge lived, the road, which soon forks R along Neck. From the top of the range the Coleridge Way and MapS: OS Explorer OL9 goes along the northern fringes a rough lane signed for Porlock – on a clear day – there are 1. START Turn L out of the car park climbing more than 3,000ft. & 140; Landranger 181. of the Quantocks, through the Weir (note the Coleridge Way quill extensive views of the Brendon (ST090401), go along the road and MapS: OS Explorer OL9; GettinG there: Regular charming Brendon Hills, and then waymark), with views over Porlock Hills and Exmoor to the west, the – when it bends R – keep ahead Landrangers 180 & 181. (NB: daily bus services 18 and 28 onto Exmoor. The original route Bay. At the next signed junction, Blackdown Hills to the south-west, along the track (a public footpath). Coleridge Way extension is run between Taunton and finished at Porlock, but the continue heading for Porlock Weir and the south coast of Wales At the next gate, you’ll see a quill not yet marked on OS maps.) Minehead – the stop for extension takes you to Lynmouth. (ignoring an unmarked path) and across the Bristol Channel to the waymark, which is used for signing GettinG there: The 300 Sampford Brett is on the A358, This final 16½-mile section is quite maintain your direction at the north. The high ground is largely the Coleridge Way. The track leads bus from Minehead to a five-minute walk from the a stretch for one day, especially following junction. Cross a covered by open heathland, with alongside a stream and then crosses Lynmouth goes via Porlock village. Mainline trains stop with so much ascent involved. footbridge and pass the Porlock steep wooded combes cut into the a field to a T-junction. Bear L and L (✆ 01823 431578, www. at Taunton (✆ 0871 200 A recommended alternative is to Ford Community Hall to reach a flanks of the ridge, and villages again at a road junction. At a pink quantockheritage.com). 2233, www.traveline.info). break the journey at County Gate lane. Turn L uphill through Worthy and hamlets sited around the thatched-roof dwelling, turn R. Mainline trains stop at Taunton eatinG & drinkinG: (car park and National Park Centre/ Wood. When the lane swings lower slopes. Both Coleridge and The path leads to the railway line with a bus to Minehead, and The Bicknoller Inn, Bicknoller café on the A39 on the Somerset/ round to the L, bear R (as signed). Wordsworth lived for a short time (cross with care) and then to the Barnstaple with a bus to (✆ 01984 656234, www. Devon border), a short detour Go R at the T-junction at the top, at the foot of the Quantocks – the A358. Again, cross with care and Lynmouth (✆ 0871 200 2233, bicknollerinn.com); The Rising from the Coleridge Way running signed for Yearnor Mill Bridge. latter at Alfoxton, the former at continue up the lane into the www.travelinesw.com). Sun Inn, West Bagborough

along the valley below. Usefully, Nether Stowey. It’s from Stowey charming village of Bicknoller. The eatinG & drinkinG: Plenty (✆ 01823 432575, www. the Porlock–Lynmouth bus stops 2. Turn L when you reach the that a varied 51-mile long-distance church is well worth a look – turn

of choice in Porlock and risingsuninn.info); more here. A shorter second day would Worthy Toll Road and R at the next path, the Coleridge Way, begins. R along Gatchells Lane to reach it. ▲ Lynmouth. Options include: ▲ choice in nearby Williton. ▼

road junction. The lane, which This route starts from the tranquil In the churchyard, beneath the ▼ leave time at the end to visit the 59-60 WALK45 RR SOUTHERN.rev1..indd 1 59-60 WALK45 RRSOUTHERN.rev2.indd 2 Ordnance Surveymapping©Crowncopyright2014Media048/14 Ordnance Surveymapping©Crowncopyright2014Media048/14

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Map not to scale. Representation of OS Landranger MAP 180 1:50,000 www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk 4 Continued... To download this route and hundreds of others, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/routes The Staghunters Inn, Brendon Map not to scale. Representation of (✆ 01598 741 222, www.stag provides good views north over along the main route, the path OS Landranger hunters.com); Rockford Inn, the Bristol Channel, leads past heads alongside Oare Water, then MAP 181 1:50,000 www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk FINISH 5 Rockford (✆ 01598 741214, Ash Farm to join the route of the climbs the slopes of Ashton Cleave www.therockfordinn.co.uk); South West Coast Path just before and continues at a higher level NT tearoom/tea garden at Silcombe Farm. The two share the (with fine views) before Watersmeet (www.national same route until a lane is reached descending once more to the Continued... To download this route and hundreds of others, trust.org.uk/watersmeet). just before Broomstreet Farm. valley at Brendon. visit www.ramblers.org.uk/routes Sleeping: Lots of choice in Sleeping: The Old Rectory Porlock and Lynmouth/Lynton, 3. Turn L up to the A39, cross over 5. Turn L along the road, passing 1,000-year-old yew, you’ll find the board about Hurley Beacon – a Coach House in Sampford (www.visit-exmoor.co.uk/where- and follow the footpath along the bridge on your L, and take the old village stocks. Walk up Church short detour to the R. Beyond Brett is a lovely self-catering to-stay). Self-catering available the field edge, turning R at the next turn on the L – a driveway Lane and turn L at the T-junction Crowcombe Combe Gate, the base (✆ 01984 633787, www. at The Old Rectory Coach bottom. Continue with the fence leading to Countisbury Mill. to another road junction (there’s route follows the Drove Road – an oldrectorycoachhouse.co.uk); House right on the Coleridge on your L (there are excellent Continue along the path beside a car park and community shop old beech-lined track. Great and or there’s a choice of B&Bs in Way (✆ 01984 633 787, www. views over Exmoor from up here) the East Lyn River to Rockford. on the L and an information Marrow Hills are in the care of Williton (www.visit-exmoor. oldrectorycoachhouse.co.uk). to reach a conifer plantation. At The route carries on along board about Bicknoller’s history). the National Trust. Just after the co.uk/where-to-stay). ViSitor information: the four-way junction, continue the north side of the river all ViSitor information: Triscombe Stone parking area Porlock Visitor Centre, ahead, bearing slightly R to meet the way to Lynmouth and the 2. Turn R up Hill Lane to a gate (with an information panel about Taunton TIC, Library, Paul West End (✆ 01643 863 150); another fence (on your L) and National Park Centre (SS722496), onto Quantock Common. Keep the Stone), bear R for Wills Neck Street (✆ 01823 336344, Lynmouth Pavilion National carry on alongside it, taking the passing Watersmeet, where the ahead up the track through the (trig point) and a splendid viewpoint. www.visit-exmoor.co.uk). Park Centre, The Esplanade next fork R as signed. This is a fine East Lyn River and Hoar Oak trees, soon parting company with guidebook: Rambling in (✆ 01598 752 509); or visit section, leading you above Deddy Water converge. the Coleridge Way (which turns L), 4. Continue south-eastwards along Somerset (£5 including www.visit-exmoor.co.uk or Combe to reach the road at Oare. Route devised by Fiona Barltrop and continue up Bicknoller Combe the ridge-top path via Lydeard Hill p&p, available from John www.coleridgeway.co.uk. (Detour L here to visit the church, through woods and into the open. down to a car park and carry on Ollerenshaw, see Your view, guidebook: Pathfinder RD Blackmore’s setting for Lorna When the ground levels out at along the permissive roadside path. p21, for further details); Guides: Exmoor and the Doone’s wedding.) the top, keep ahead at the first or visit the Coleridge Way Quantocks Walks by crossing path to reach a very clear 5. Rejoin the road and turn R website (www.coleridgeway. Sue Viccars (£11.99, 4. Turn R and take the next track, where you turn R. down to West Bagborough. co.uk) for route descriptions. Pathfinder Guides, bridleway on the L, which leads Continue to the next road turning loCal ramblerS groupS: ISBN 978 1854585691). past Oaremead Farm. Just beyond 3. Follow the wide ridge-top track on the R and turn R along the Somerset Ramblers has loCal ramblerS group: the farm, a grassy bridleway leads along the top of the Quantocks. At signed footpath, which will lead eight groups in the county North Devon Ramblers up R to County Gate if you’re the Halsway Post, keep ahead and you to the A358 and the bus stop (✆ 07768 556735, www. (✆ 01271 376 274, www. breaking the route at this point

13/11/2014 15:16 ignore the fork L. A little further for Sampford Brett (ST142333). somersetramblers.co.uk). northdevonramblers.co.uk). (the views from this path higher on, you’ll reach an information Route devised by Fiona Barltrop up are glorious). As you carry on