Area: Somerset

'Making the most of our beautiful natural habitat.'

'These Webpages contain a wide variety of information about public rights of way and outdoors access; including walk leaflets, online mapping, how to report a problem, legal orders, consultations and the Joint Local Access Forum.'

Bath & North East Somerset Council

Member of the Ramblers - Avon Area Grouping

'Explore the Bath Skyline along six miles of way-marked footpaths.'

National Trust

'Circular route taking in the iconic Bath Two Tunnels. The route also uses National Route 24 and National Route 4, along the Kennet & Avon Canal back in to Central Bath ... Both tunnels are well lit, have a sealed surface and are wide enough for pedestrians and cyclists to comfortably use the route in harmony.'

Sustrans

Two Tunnels Shared Path

'Celebrate Bath's unique landscape by taking a walk ... Bath is a fantastic walking destination. Walking and hiking in the Bath area takes you to hidden valleys, iron age forts, picture perfect villages and the views are out of this world.' Usually held Mid September.

Bathscape: Exploring, Understanding & Restoring Bath's Landscape

'Local nature walks and wildlife interest including Bleadon Moors, Hills, West Mendip Way, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and public footpaths, rights of way & bridleways throughout Bleadon.'

Bleadon BOB

Details of seven walks around and about Brent Knoll: 'Somerset is a pleasant place to walk in the South West of England. There are many pleasant walks around our village of Brent Knoll. Most of them are gentle and easy to follow but others present more of a challenge.'

Brent Knoll Village

'The 15 mile long canal path between Taunton and Bridgwater has been developed as a multi-user route to encourage walking and cycling. It forms part of the Sustrans cycle route 3. The canal path is an ideal way of passing through lowland Somerset, seeing areas of historic interest and natural beauty.'

Canal & River Trust

'A Guide to Popular Walks in and around Bruton, Somerset.'

Bruton Town Council

'Connects six pubs owned by Butcombe Brewery. The trail runs from Hinton Blewett through Priddy, Axbridge, Bleadon, Rowberrow, and Compton Martin.'

Butcombe Brewery

Butcombe Brewery Trail [Stoke Lodge Ramblers]

'Cheddar is world famous for its cheese and stunning gorge, but many visitors are unaware of the rich diversity of landscape and walking country we have here. Through the Walkers are Welcome scheme, Cheddar promotes itself as a walker-friendly destination offering a number of walking routes of varying grades, starting from the village centre. We hope you enjoy your visit!'

Cheddar Walking

'At almost 400ft (122m) deep and 3 miles long, this is England’s largest gorge, and with its weathered crags and pinnacles, one of our most spectacular natural sites. It plays host to a varied community of  specialized plants and wildlife, many of which you’ll get to spot on this exhilarating circular walk.'

National Trust

'Chew Valley Lake was built to provide water for Bristol. Water is pumped to our Barrow treatment works on the outskirts of Bristol and from here we supply much of the southern part of the city. The lake also supplies water to areas like Shepton Mallet, via the nearby Stowey treatment works. '

Bristol Water

'This walk was first invented by Rowland Janes in 1986 as a linear walk from Maes Knoll to The Oozles (Blackberry Hill), via Knowle Hill, relying on the regular bus service along the A37 to return walkers to their starting point. It was published in "The Natural History of The Chew Valley" (1987) ...'

Bath & North East Somerset Council

Three Peaks Walk [GPS Cycle & Walking Routes]

'In partnership with Bath and North East Somerset Council, the University of Bath has established the Walking Network; a series of scenic and accessible walking routes linking the university campus with locations around Bath.'

University of Bath

Member of the Ramblers - Avon Area Grouping

'In the Footsteps of the Romantic Poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772 - 1834), walk 36 miles through the stunning Somerset countryside of the Quantock Hills, the Brendon Hills and Exmoor, a landscape that inspired Coleridge to produce some of his best known work.'

Visit Exmoor

'The Colliers Way - Route 24 of Sustrans National Cycle Network - is a recreational path extending 23 miles through beautiful rolling green landscape. It starts just outside the Georgian City of Bath and extends from the Limpley Stoke Valley at the north, to the Frome Valley at the south.'

Sustrans

'Passes picturesque villages and historic sites as it travels along the Cotswold escarpment ... 96% within the Cotswolds designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.'

National Trails

'An introduction to the main points of interest in the town centre.'

Crewkerne Local Information Centre

'With its coastal location and open Somerset  countryside all around, Clevedon has some stunning walks.  If you have a favourite walk, why not send it to us and we can add it to the site – crediting you in the same way as the Civic Society!'

'Runs from Forde Abbey on the Somerset border in the west, across Dorset to Bokerley Dyke in the north-east on the Hampshire Border. It avoids existing trails and popular rights of way and seeks out little known paths in order to open them up for all to enjoy. The Trail winds through quiet villages, passes rural churches and offers extensive views over the rolling downs and secret valleys that make Dorset so special.'

Dorset Area Ramblers

'Situated on the north eastern edge of Exmoor National Park, along the West Somerset coastline.'

The Crown Estate

ALERT Unfortunately, at Review I could no longer discover any recent information about the Dunster Estate on the Crown Estate's Website.  So I have had to replace the Link used here.

'The Exploration Group of North Somerset ... are a friendly, informal walking group with members from around the Bristol/Bath/North Somerset area. We have a mixed membership of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. New members, 18 years or over, are always welcome.The aim of the group is to provide a full and varied programme of local walks, hill-walking, mountaineering and occasional other outdoor activities ...'

'On 10 July 2014 the Secretary of State announced his decision to approve a stretch of the England Coast Path in Somerset between Brean and Minehead ... On 15 January 2016 the Secretary of State announced her decision to approve proposals to change the previously approved route for this stretch of coast in 2 places: Dunball Wharf and St Audries Bay ... New access rights will come into force along the route and adjoining spreading room on 15 March 2016.'

England Coast Path Route Descriptions

'Whether you are an experienced walker or someone who prefers a short stroll, Exmoor National Park is the ideal place to explore the outdoors on foot. With over 1000km of footpaths and bridleways, through woodlands, by tumbling rivers and on open heather covered moorland, the variety is vast.'

'We offer annual South West Coast Path guided walking holidays and quarterly weekend breaks for guided local walks ... Your stay is based at the Yarn Market Hotel with the benefit of not having to pack luggage for transfers as you sleep in the same bed every night, and transport is provided to and from the start and finish of each day's walk.'

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Yarn Market Hotel Dunster

'There are plenty of walks you can take to explore the town of Frome. Our walks will allow you to see Frome’s green spaces, stroll through its shopping streets and learn about its history.'

'Walk around the Gordano Valley; taking in the coast path between Portishead and Clevedon, a route along the Tickenham Ridge and exploration of the Wraxall, Abbots Leigh and Portbury areas.'

Gordano Footpath Group

Six Circular Walks around Hemyock - ranging from 3 to 7 miles.

Blackdown Hills AONB

'Discover Somerset and loose yourself in fifty acres of lakes, temples, cascades, tranquil woodland walks, formal terraces, vivid colours and views that take your breath away ...'

Hestercombe Gardens Trust

'The JLAF was established in July 2003 pursuant to a duty set out by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Appointments to the JLAF are made so that there is a balance between landowner, user and other interests within the membership ... The JLAF's voluntary membership includes a variety of interests, including those of land managers, users and one Councillor from each authority involved .'

Bath & North East Somerset Council

'In the early days many rich Sephardic Jews came to take the waters for their health and to effect easy introductions amongst high society in the social mix and informality of Bath that they could not obtain at home. Jewish visitors came from as early as 1730 and lodged for periods in Bath ... It is interesting to note that the pattern of settlement was very similar to that other spa town of Richmond in Surrey, in both period and type. Early Jews in both places were rich Sephardim who came with both health and social agendas to fulfill.'

National Anglo-Jewish Heritage Trail

'Providing a service for walkers with organised walks in the Bath and Bristol area, and leaflets for individuals and groups who wish to go-it-alone, thus enhancing the profile of Keynsham. This will benefit the residents and traders alike. All the walks will emanate from or include, the town.'

'Runs from King Alfred's Tower in Penselwood to Ham Hill Country Park ... The Leland Trail links with the Monarch's Way at Ilchester and the Liberty Trail and the River Parrett Trail at Ham Hill.'

Wikipedia

'Trail between Ham Hill in Somerset and Lyme Regis in Dorset, England.'

Wikipedia

'From Castle Cary in Somerset to Barnstaple in Devon. It is one of the Macmillan Ways and connects with the main Macmillan Way at Castle Cary.

Wikipedia

'This is one of England’s most special places – the limestone Mendip Hills with the lakes of the Chew Valley is a stunning landscape of steep slopes and undulating plateau punctuated by spectacular gorges and rocky outcrops. On the hilltops there are hundreds of ancient monuments, whilst on steeper slopes flower rich grasslands and wooded combes offer varied habitats for a wide variety of wildlife.'

Member of the Ramblers - Somerset Area Grouping

'Long distance path in 9 legs using public footpaths and other rights of way to follow as closely as possible the boundary of the Somerset (UK) local government district of Mendip'

Mendip Ramblers

'We are a group of several hundred like-minded people who come together in the interests of conserving and enhancing the Mendip Hills. Most of our members live in and around the Hills, but some live in other parts of the country and even abroad ... As a registered charity, we organise social activities on the hills for all our members including walks, special interest visits and talks. We also manage some small nature reserves and members are encouraged to be involved with these.'

'Footpath across the Mendip Hills from Weston-super-Mare to Frome. It is divided into two sections. The West Mendip Way was opened in 1979 and starts at the Bristol Channel at Uphill Cliff. It climbs the Mendip escarpment affording views over the Somerset Levels. It then crosses the central Mendip plateau leading down to Cheddar Gorge and on to Wells ... From there the East Mendip Way continues through Shepton Mallet to Frome. The Mendip Way connects with the Macmillan Way, Monarch's Way, and Samaritans Way South West.'

Wikipedia

West Mendip Way [LDWA]

'In the lovely valley of Limpley Stoke, just three miles from the City of Bath, the village of Monkton Combe nestles harmoniously into the south-facing slope of a tree-studded hill, commanding some spectacular views ...'

Monkton Combe Village Website

'North Somerset Life is our multi award-winning magazine which we send out across the district every month ... Every issue of the Magazine features a local walk (and sometimes a cycle ride) that varies in length and difficulty.'

North Somerset Council

'Here are a series of walks for you to print and enjoy. They each take approximately 2 hours and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and dogs on a lead ... Pen Selwood parish is situated at the meeting point of 3 counties, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, to the north east of Wincanton and is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as an area rich in history.'  About a score of Walks.

Pen Selwood Community Website

'Opened in 2001 and consists of two routes. The northern route is 31Km (20 miles) and the southern route 29Km (18 miles).' Crowcombe is the start/end of the Northern Route; the Southern Route starts/ends at Broomfield, situated about 5 miles north of Taunton.

Quantock Online

'Craving crisp air and wide open spaces? Views that stretch for miles and miles? Wooded combes with babbling brooks? Uninterupted heathland? Wild jurassic coast? Better get your walking boots on then ...'

'A walk in the Quantocks can offer a surprising variety of secenery in such a small area. From farmland to shady combes and the open heathland of the ridge. Within 3hrs all of these aspects can be explored on foot, whilst there is still plenty of scope for more wide-ranging, day long tours.'

Quantock Online

'Somerset Area Ramblers covers an area from Frome in the East of the County to Minehead in the West, from Clevedon in the North to Yeovil in the South. We have a large section of the coastal path stretching from Minehead to Clevedon, The Quantocks, parts of Exmoor, The Black Down Hills and The Mendips. Somerset Area Ramblers is the co-ordinating body for 8 of the Ramblers local groups.'

'Passes through the historic harbour village of Pill, the spectacular Avon Gorge, the modern city and ancient port of Bristol, the beautiful countryside where the Avon Valley meets the Cotswold Hills and ends at the famous Pulteney Bridge in the Georgian city of Bath. Although the Trail goes no further, the river continues upstream to its source near Sherston in the Cotswold Hills.'

Forest of Avon

'The parish of Ruishton, Thornfalcon and Henlade is on the eastern outskirts of Taunton, the County town of Somerset. There has always been a vibrant community spirit which can be seen as you look through the site. Welcome to our parish website.'

Ruishton.org.uk

About half a dozen short circular walks around and about Sampford Brett: 'The village is ideally placed for those interested in walking and outdoor activities in general, being close to the Quantock hills and Exmoor. The Coleridge Way footpath passes through the village'.

Open Door Internet

Member of the Ramblers - Somerset Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Avon Area Grouping

'There are over 6100 km of public rights of way in Somerset. They are footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and a few byways open to all traffic. Several of these paths are promoted as part of popular regional or national trails, such as the England Coast Path, the Coleridge Way, River Parrett Trail, South West Coast Path and West Somerset Coast Path.'

'This Forum meets at least twice a year and covers the area of Somerset, with the exception of Exmoor National Park, which has its own forum. There are 16 members of which; 14 are members of the public and 2 are elected members from Somerset County Council and of the District/ Borough Councils. The members are representatives of 3 main fields of interest related to access to the countryside namely users, landowners and other interests such as tourism, economic regeneration, health and education. They are selected from applications received by us and have a 3 year term of office.'

Somerset County Council

'Somerset is a wonderful county full of contrast and there is no better way to absorb its beauty, variety and history than through the Public Rights of Way network. The county has over 9000 rights of way totalling 3808 miles (6129 km). The extensive path network is varied ranging from long distance routes such as the South West Coast Path and the River Parrett Trail, to a number of promoted circular routes and local country paths.'

Somerset County Council

'Sculpture trail model of the solar system, located in Somerset, England. The model uses the towpath of the 22-kilometre (14-mile) Bridgwater and Taunton Canal to display a model of the Sun and its planets in their proportionally correct sizes and distances apart. Unusually for a solar system model, there are two sets of planets.

Wikipedia

Member of the Ramblers - Somerset Area Grouping

'One of the best walks in the world, where else can you walk along 630 miles of such superb coastline? The heritage, wildlife, geology and scenery along the way are truly inspirational. This Trail really is the walk of a lifetime. The Trail has its own Website full of information.

South West Coast Path Association

 Explore the South West Coast Path

'Bridleway takes you through a wide variety of landscapes ... Gravelled forest roads, stone tracks, grass fields, some steep slopes.' Originally created by Neroche, 'a partnership for forest, land and people in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'.

GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

'Mainly traffic-free with no steep gradients and takes in a variety of landscapes from the flat marshes and cider apple orchards around Yatton, steep wooded valleys and a tunnel through the Mendips, to historic Axbridge and the spectacular Cheddar Gorge.'

Sustrans

Strawberry Line

'6 circular walks within the parish which have been prepared by members of the Footpath Committee with the help of volunteers under the Parish Paths Partnership Scheme (P3).'

Member of the Ramblers - Somerset Area Grouping

'Our two villages have welcomed walkers for hundreds of years. A group of local residents and small business owners have now got together to form Stoweywalking, to promote walking in and around the Stoweys to both local people and visitors. Nether Stowey and Over Stowey are located at the foot of the Quantock Hills, the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in England.'

'Starting on Congresbury Bridge over the River Yeo follow the Two Rivers Way through Somerset to Keynsham on the River Avon. The walk passes through Chew Stoke, Chew Magna, Compton Dando and Pensford with sections along the River Yeo and River Chew to enjoy ... '

GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

'A series of ten healthy walks around and about Uphill. Explore the wonderful fauna and flora around Uphill as well as going for a purposeful walk to improve your health.'

Uphill Village Society

'The compact nature of Bath makes it ideal to explore on foot, with many of the city's most iconic sights all within a short walk of each other. The Kennet & Avon Canal path and surrounding nearby countryside offers the perfect setting for walks all year round – immerse yourself in the breath-taking scenery taking a picnic with you on fine days, or get cosy during the winter months at one of the many country pubs that line the routes ... '

Kings Byways 'Ivor King's Country Rambles around Pill': Six walks ranging from 2.5 to 7.5 miles.

Pill Village Website

'For now, public access to the reserve itself is limited to our guided walks in order to give you the best possible experience, and provide protection to ground-nesting and over-wintering birds. We'll send you full directions to the reserve itself when you book onto a guided walk. If you can't join us on a guided walk, there is an excellent network of footpaths west of Curry Rivel that provide superb views over the reserve.'

RSPB

'Runs from the hamlet of Steart to the coastal resort of Minehead and passes through the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The Coast Path links the River Parrett Trail to the South West Coast Path National Trail. The path also joins the Coleridge Way and Quantock Greenway just south of the A39 near East Quantoxhead.'

GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Member of the Ramblers - Somerset Area Grouping

'Wiveliscombe is an ancient town, full of unexpected and surprising discoveries from an architectural and walking point of view.'

Member of the Ramblers - Somerset Area Grouping