SSDC_walks leaflet-20pp_NOV19.indd 1 leaflet-20pp_NOV19.indd SSDC_walks 15/11/2019 13:03 15/11/2019 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 2 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 isSomerset. on 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 3 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 9 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.