Tel: 01823 355617 01823 Tel:

Department, County Hall,.TA1 4DY. Hall,Taunton.TA1 County Department,

Countryside Services Group, Economy,Transport & Environment & Economy,Transport Group, Services Countryside

o oeifraino h ru laecnat - contact: please group the on information more For

Somerset County Council County

This leaflet was produced by the Countryside Services Group, Services Countryside the by produced was leaflet This

areas of Hankridge and Bathpool. and Hankridge of areas

Levels and Moors, to the built up built the to Moors, and Levels

from the quiet areas of the Somerset the of areas quiet the from

Tone, and across varying countryside, varying across and Tone,

villages, hamlets, alongside the River the alongside hamlets, villages,

lanes. The walks go through local through go walks The lanes.

local footpaths and quiet country quiet and footpaths local

yuigtecnltwah selected towpath, the using by

Michael four short circular walks begin walks circular short four Michael

From the car park here at Creech St Creech at here park car the From

Car Park Car

Circular Walks from the from Walks Circular

Creech St Michael St Creech

Circular Walks Circular

Canal & CANAL TAUNTON AND

rdwtr Taunton Bridgwater FACILITIES ALONG THE THE ALONG FACILITIES

Creech St Michael The Canal Today The name of the village is derived from the British Nowadays the canal is used as an important word ‘cruc’ meaning ‘a hill’ and ‘cructan’ meaning The canal was used mainly for the transportation recreational resource. Informal activities like ‘the hill on the ’. However, it was not of coal, timber and limestone that was brought into fishing and cycling take place - Sustrans use the until after 1750 A.D. that it Bridgwater dock and then transferred to barges towpath as part of their National Cycle Route that became known as Creech St and small tub-boats. The runs from Padstow to Bath/. Sections of the Michael. commercial success of the towpath are also used as part of the canal ended when the Bristol Trail that runs from Chedington in South Dorset The 13th Century Church has a and Exeter railway opened - through to Bridgwater and beyond. fine wagon roof and inside can commercial traffic ceased in be seen some intricate carved 1907. Environmentally, the canal is used as a water supply woodwork - including medieval for Durleigh reservoir - it acts as a drainage system choir seats and bench ends and Restoration to take surface water run off from agricultural land a reading desk dated 1634. and storm water in urban areas. The canal is also a Outside, under a yew tree The West Country branch of link that joins the River Tone in Taunton and the reputed to be 1000 years old, the Inland Waterways River Parrett in Bridgwater. the parish stocks still stand. Association lobbied for many years for the canal to be Conservation and Wildlife The old Creech Mill, which lies restored. This led to between the River Tone and the , The canal is an important ecosystem for wildlife canal, was once famous for its District Council because it represents a thin ribbon of land and making of fine paper, including and Borough water in an environment that is used intensively for writing paper, envelopes, tobacco, Council working jointly with agriculture outside the urban areas. It is an art, chrome and enamelled British Waterways to bring about the excellent example of a wetland habitat, with papers. It eventually closed in restoration of the canal for clear unpolluted water that supports 1983 and has now been converted amenity purposes between much plant, fish, bird and insect the years 1980 and 1995. life. Vast stocks of roach, into small industrial units. The replacement of 14 low pike, perch, carp, bridges was the main part of bream and trench A History of the Canal the restoration programme can be spotted, with The Bridgwater and Taunton (the original swing bridges kingfishers, Canal was part of an ambitious were removed in wartime to herons, 19th century scheme to create a route between create a line of defence). dragon- Exeter and Bristol, which would avoid the Seven of the bridges were flies and treacherous sea route around Lands End. Sadly the replaced by swing bridges and seven by raised damselflies great link never materialized though the Bridgwater bridges, and this, along with the restoration of six flying and Taunton canal opened in 1827, joining the new locks, brought the canal back to life - it was overhead. The docks at Bridgwater in 1841 & making its total reopened to navigation in June 1994. fringes of the canal are home to much length 15 miles. interesting flora and fauna.

Tel: 01823 355617 01823 Tel:

Department, County Hall,Taunton.TA1 4DY. Hall,Taunton.TA1 County Department,

Countryside Services Group, Economy,Transport & Environment & Economy,Transport Group, Services Countryside

o oeifraino h ru laecnat - contact: please group the on information more For

Somerset County Council County Somerset

This leaflet was produced by the Countryside Services Group, Services Countryside the by produced was leaflet This

areas of Hankridge and Bathpool. and Hankridge of areas

Levels and Moors, to the built up built the to Moors, and Levels

from the quiet areas of the Somerset the of areas quiet the from

Tone, and across varying countryside, varying across and Tone,

villages, hamlets, alongside the River the alongside hamlets, villages,

lanes. The walks go through local through go walks The lanes.

local footpaths and quiet country quiet and footpaths local

yuigtecnltwah selected towpath, canal the using by

Michael four short circular walks begin walks circular short four Michael

From the car park here at Creech St Creech at here park car the From

Car Park Car

Circular Walks from the from Walks Circular

Creech St Michael St Creech

Circular Walks Circular

Canal & CANAL TAUNTON AND BRIDGWATER

rdwtr Taunton Bridgwater FACILITIES ALONG THE THE ALONG FACILITIES

Creech St Michael The Canal Today The name of the village is derived from the British Nowadays the canal is used as an important word ‘cruc’ meaning ‘a hill’ and ‘cructan’ meaning The canal was used mainly for the transportation recreational resource. Informal activities like ‘the hill on the River Tone’. However, it was not of coal, timber and limestone that was brought into fishing and cycling take place - Sustrans use the until after 1750 A.D. that it Bridgwater dock and then transferred to barges towpath as part of their National Cycle Route that became known as Creech St and small tub-boats. The runs from Padstow to Bath/Bristol. Sections of the Michael. commercial success of the towpath are also used as part of the River Parrett canal ended when the Bristol Trail that runs from Chedington in South Dorset The 13th Century Church has a and Exeter railway opened - through to Bridgwater and beyond. fine wagon roof and inside can commercial traffic ceased in be seen some intricate carved 1907. Environmentally, the canal is used as a water supply woodwork - including medieval for Durleigh reservoir - it acts as a drainage system choir seats and bench ends and Restoration to take surface water run off from agricultural land a reading desk dated 1634. and storm water in urban areas. The canal is also a Outside, under a yew tree The West Country branch of link that joins the River Tone in Taunton and the reputed to be 1000 years old, the Inland Waterways River Parrett in Bridgwater. the parish stocks still stand. Association lobbied for many years for the canal to be Conservation and Wildlife The old Creech Mill, which lies restored. This led to between the River Tone and the Somerset County Council, The canal is an important ecosystem for wildlife canal, was once famous for its Sedgemoor District Council because it represents a thin ribbon of land and making of fine paper, including and Taunton Deane Borough water in an environment that is used intensively for writing paper, envelopes, tobacco, Council working jointly with agriculture outside the urban areas. It is an art, chrome and enamelled British Waterways to bring about the excellent example of a wetland habitat, with papers. It eventually closed in restoration of the canal for clear unpolluted water that supports 1983 and has now been converted amenity purposes between much plant, fish, bird and insect the years 1980 and 1995. life. Vast stocks of roach, into small industrial units. The replacement of 14 low pike, perch, carp, bridges was the main part of bream and trench A History of the Canal the restoration programme can be spotted, with The Bridgwater and Taunton (the original swing bridges kingfishers, Canal was part of an ambitious were removed in wartime to herons, 19th century scheme to create a route between create a line of defence). dragon- Exeter and Bristol, which would avoid the Seven of the bridges were flies and treacherous sea route around Lands End. Sadly the replaced by swing bridges and seven by raised damselflies great link never materialized though the Bridgwater bridges, and this, along with the restoration of six flying and Taunton canal opened in 1827, joining the new locks, brought the canal back to life - it was overhead. The docks at Bridgwater in 1841 & making its total reopened to navigation in June 1994. fringes of the canal are home to much length 15 miles. interesting flora and fauna. Walk No. 1 Walk 2 across several fields until reaching another lane Creech St Michael - Bathpool - Hankridge - Creech St Michael - Charlton - Knapp - Ham - where you go straight across. Cross the field (it - Creech St Michael Creech St Michael usually has horses in it) to the top right hand An easy level 4.5miles/7.2km walk A scenic 4.5mile/7.2km walk corner. Turn right following the lane until reaching a footpath signpost and an orchard. From the car park turn left onto the towpath From the car park turn right onto the towpath Walk through the orchard and down to the left and walk along the canal for approximately and walk along the canal past the derelict Engine hand corner (here you can sit and enjoy the 1.5miles/2.5km until reaching the swing bridge at House and Pillbox.You will soon arrive at marvellous views). Continue down the hill Bathpool. Turn left and follow the lane to the another Pillbox and a crossroads at Charlton. through several fields to the road at Ham (just main road (A38) and then right along the Turn right and walk over the railway bridge past the suspension bridge - known as Bailey pavement. Once just past the railway bridge, following the lane round to the gate at the Bridge). Turn right and walk through the hamlet cross the road and follow the footpath bottom. Once through the gate turn immediate until reaching a footpath signpost on the right. signposted ‘town centre’. Follow footpath right and follow the bank along the River Tone Cross the footbridge over the River Tone and around edge of lake and alongside River Tone until reaching Knapp Bridge.Turn right over turn left. This path takes you back into the (ignoring second town centre sign) for bridge and follow lane up the hill to a corner village of Creech St Michael. On passing St approximately 1mile/1.5km, passing under the until reaching a ‘hidden’ footpath on your right. Michaels, a delightful 13th century church, motorway and along a well-worn path until Follow this footpath (great views of Hay Moor) take a right turn into Vicarage Lane reaching Ruishton. The path then leaves the to reach the Canalside river and continues along a lane to the right of car park. the church to join the road next to the Ruishton Inn. Turn left and then take the first lane on the left, beside some cottages, (signed public footpath) just before Barton Lane. The route then follows the river once more passing beneath the old railway and then over the old aqueduct until eventually reaching the road and Creech St Michael (remains can be seen of the Five Arches Bridge, which was the course of the Taunton to Railway). Turn left & once over both bridges follow the signs to the Canalside 3 car park. M5 2 CAR PARK 1 Railway

Walk No. 4 Creech St Michael - Ruishton - Henlade - Ham - Creech St Michael A moderate 5mile/8km walk 4 From the car park turn left onto towpath & walk N as far as the road bridge.Take a left turn and continue around the corner passing over the bridge that takes you over the River Tone. Just LOCATION MAP Based upon the Ordnance Survey mapping after the bridge a footpath signpost will be found with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Office C on the right - take this path and follow the river Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and until reaching the village of Ruishton. (This will may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. SOMERSET COUNTY COUNCIL License take you past the remains of the Old No. LA 07683 X that opened in 1842. It closed in 1868 making it FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY NO FURTHER COPIES MAY BE MADE. one of the country’s shortest-lived ). On reaching Ruishton turn right at the bottom into Cheats Road. Follow the road, past the Ruishton Pub, into Bushy Cross Lane. Walk along here until Walk No. 3 reaching a footpath signpost on the right (next to Creech St Michael - North End - Creech footpath signpost on right (just before motorway Rose Cottage).Walk into field & bear left. Follow footpath signs over fields to the A358 and Heathfield - Charlton - Creech St Michael bridge).Take steps down the bank, turn left, take Ruishton Court. Walk up the drive of Ruishton An easy 4mile/6.5km walk the stile on the right then follow the hedges Court to a footpath signpost on right - this takes bordering the motorway. Cross over several you down through fields to a small stream. Cross From car park turn left onto towpath and walk fields until reaching a partly enclosed lane that over the stream using the footbridge (behind a as far as the road bridge.Turn right over bridge leads to Creech Heathfield. Cross over road and large conker tree).Turn left following the footpath and follow St. Michael Road, past the Bell Inn, walk along Charlton Road until reaching a signposts through several fields (Stoke Hill can be turning left into Hyde Lane. Walk as far as the footpath signpost on right. This takes you down seen to your right) all the way to Henlade corner. footpath signpost on the right (before School) a lane, Meads Droveway, to fields, then along a Turn left along the road, past the drive of Mount and follow path around the edge of the estate trackway until reaching a T-junction and two Somerset (on your right), until reaching a gate and (the eastern foot of the Quantocks and the houses. Take the footpath straight across the footpath signpost on the left. Follow the track tower of Church can be seen in track and head straight across field. On reaching diagonally across the fields, crossing the A358 to the distance). Walk across the field to a stile and stile turn left and continue across field towards Thornwater Farm, and then through more fields - continue to lower right hand corner of next the golf course. Follow direction signs that lead they will bring you out on Ham Road.Turn left field. Keep to the right of next field until across the golf course and out through a lane. here and follow the road back into Creech St. reaching a gap between houses (at North End). Turn right towards the canal and take a right Michael. On reaching the main road to Creech Cross over main road and turn left heading out turn after crossing Charlton Bridge. The canal take a right turn over the bridge towards Vicarage of village. Walk along the pavement until path takes you back to the Canalside car park. Lane that returns you to the Canalside car park.