Category: Somerset

  • A Seven Mile Walk from Stoke St Mary

    A Seven Mile Walk from Stoke St Mary

    We are away on our first caravan trip of 2020 and have returned to familiar territory on Cadeside CAMC site so we can catch up with friends in Somerset.  This is an area we visit frequently and know well from having previously lived in Taunton.  However, there is an area I have not walked, so today I head off to the village of Stoke St Mary to explore around there.

    Heavy rain is forecast, but that does not deter Crosby and I from getting outside.  As I drive through Taunton the sun is shining, but by the time I arrive at the car park besides Stoke St Mary village hall it is pouring.

    Having clad myself in full waterproofs I leave the car park and turn left along Stoke Road passing the Half Moon Inn.

    As the road sweeps to the left I continue on along a tarmac lane passing St Mary’s Church.

    Approaching the gates of Stoke House I take a bridleway on the left heading steadily uphill, soon I am in woodland.  At a fork in the track I go right continuing in a southerly direction through the trees as the route heads up Stoke Hill.

    As the path levels I stop to bag the trig pillar just off the track on the edge of a field, this is the 192nd trig I have bagged.

    Back on the track I carry on until I reach a minor road where I turn right and descend gradually to Stoke Hill Farm where I take a footpath on the left.  After going through a copse, the path reaches the edge of an arable field where a bench overlooks the valley.  The view includes the busy A358, so I assume it was erected before the road became a major trunk route.

    The path is well way marked and I follow it through gates to head down towards Ash passing the entrance to Ashe Farm Camping Site.

    On reaching the road I turn right and after passing farm buildings take a footpath on the left leading to a field.  I follow the path around the field towards the edge of woodland where the path then follows the hedge line heading south.

    At a junction of paths, I turn left and walk to the edge of Huish Wood where the path turns right and goes south again.  After crossing a footbridge, I enter a paddock with inquisitive horses, they decide to follow Crosby and I as we follow the way markers to a stile in the south east corner of the field.

    The path now continues with a stream to the left, after passing gardens it reaches a minor road in West Hatch.  Turning right I follow the road around a bend to a junction where I turn left and walk up Griffin Lane.  Just before reaching Park Farm I take a footpath on the right. After going through a gate, the path crosses a field towards another gate. The recent rain has made it boggy and hard going.

    This path is part of the East Deane Way and I follow the way markers to join a hedge lined track.

    As the track descends to a stream running along the edge of Bickenhall Wood it becomes boggier and I have to choose my route with care.  

    The route crosses fields and goes through a fence and then over a stile to go along the edge of Boon’s Copse.

    Leaving the trees, I head across fields to reach a minor road besides Boon’s Farm.  I turn left and follow the road to a T-junction where I turn right towards Staple Fitzpaine.  At a junction I pass the entrance to the Farmer’s Arms.  Over the years I have visited most pubs in this area, but not this one.

    At the junction I turn right and then within a few hundred yards take a turning on the left towards Badger Street.  As the road bends to the left I continue straight on into Thurlbear Wood.  Most of my walk has been accompanied by occasional rain showers, but now it is pouring down.

    At a junction of footpaths, I turn right and continue through the trees descending steadily to reach Thurlbear close to the attractive 12th century St Thomas’ Church.

    On the road I turn right and continue through the village passing the Primary School before taking a footpath on the left just before Greenway Farm.  This leads by farm buildings and then picks up a track besides a hedge.

    At a junction of paths, I turn right and follow this route across fields towards Stoke St Mary.  As I near the edge of the village the path is running like a stream.

    I arrive in the village opposite the village hall to reach my starting point.  My walk has covered 7 miles and despite the rain has been a pleasant few hours rambling about.

    To follow my walk, you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map OL128 – Taunton & Blackdown Hills

    You can view this 7 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    Additional Information

    For more information on this walk including car parking, amenities, refreshments and detailed walking directions visit my associated Walking Moonraker website.

    9th January 2020

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2020)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • Walking from Dunster to Watchet with Beth Foot Forward

    Walking from Dunster to Watchet with Beth Foot Forward

    I was slow to join the ranks of social media followers, only joining Twitter in the summer of 2017 and Facebook a bit earlier.  One of the things that had put me off was all the negative publicity and I couldn’t see what could be gained from tweeting or posting.

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  • Walking in the Doone Valley and along the Coleridge Way

    Walking in the Doone Valley and along the Coleridge Way

    When I was staying in Minehead on my own in January I did a walk from Malsmead along the Doone Valley.  It was a stunning day and when I recounted the trip to Lynnie she was keen to visit the valley.  So today, as our current trip nears its end, we are going to do a slightly shorter version of my previous walk.

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  • From Minehead to Periton Hill and North Hill

    From Minehead to Periton Hill and North Hill

    I have walked to North Hill numerous times and on most occasions have enjoyed good views, except when I met “Dan Walks the Coast” up there a few days ago when low cloud made it impossible to see the Bristol Channel.  The only other time visibility was poor was when I walked there with Lynnie.  So today we are revisiting in the hope we will be able to see across to South Wales.
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  • The Punchbowl and Caratacus Stone from Winsford

    The Punchbowl and Caratacus Stone from Winsford

    Earlier in the year I did a walk from Winsford up the Punchbowl, following in part a walk that Lynnie and I had done back in March 2016.  Seeing the pictures of my January walk Lynnie has requested we revisit the Punchbowl on this trip, I was more than happy to include the walk in our itinerary for this trip.

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  • Horner Wood in the Mist

    Horner Wood in the Mist

    Following my walk with Crosby earlier today it is now time to head out again with Lynnie and Dexter for a shorter walk in nearby Horner Wood.  These days Dexter struggles to walk very far, he was okay on yesterday’s twelve-mile walk to Dunster but he is not able to do that distance everyday.
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  • Meeting “Dan Walks the Coast” on North Hill

    Meeting “Dan Walks the Coast” on North Hill

    I am always keen to do as little driving as possible when we are away.  For most of my life I was happy to drive anywhere, but now I need no excuse to leave the car behind.  So today is another day when I will walk from the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s site in Minehead.
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  • A Twelve Circuit from Minehead to Dunster

    A Twelve Circuit from Minehead to Dunster

    After just a few days at home we are away in the caravan again. This time we have headed west and returned to the Caravan and Motorhome Club site in Minehead.  We don’t stay at many main sites, preferring the smaller CL sites, however, this site is an ideal spot out of the main holiday season.
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  • Avoiding the Storms on the Quantock Hills

    Avoiding the Storms on the Quantock Hills

    It is the last day of my trip away and it starts off with a wet morning. So it is early afternoon before I decide to venture out with Crosby for a walk and head for the Quantock Hills, one of my favourite locations for walking.  I start my walk from the car park at Dead Woman’s Ditch (Grid Ref ST161381).
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  • Haddon Hill and Wimbleball Lake

    Haddon Hill and Wimbleball Lake

    The weather forecast is for high winds and heavy rain, so I have decided to avoid walking in the hills and instead take a wander around Clatworthy Reservoir.  It is a pleasant drive through the lanes to the reservoir car park and before putting on my boots I wander over to the information board only to discover that dogs are not allowed on the permitted path around the water.
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