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A quiet village lane lined by trees and a row of thatched cottages in The Quantock Hills

Book a Weekend Break to Enjoy the Quantock Hills Walking Festival

The Quantock Hills Walking Festival takes place this year from Wednesday 7th to Sunday 11th June 2023. It’s a perfect way to enjoy walking holidays discovering more about this fascinating corner of Somerset. A variety of walks are available, ranging from a shade over three miles to a fifty-mile walk along the whole of The Coleridge Way. This takes place over four days, and you can return to your Quantock Hills holiday cottage at the end of each day. Most of the walks have a theme and will be led by local experts.

Guided Walks include:

Wednesday 7th June

Photo Walk: A Fyne Folly! (3.4 miles)

Information & booking  

Thursday June 8th

The Coleridge Way: A Poet’s Pilgrimage (50 miles; 4 days)  Information & booking

 

Saturday June 10th

Sacred Quantocks  (7.5 miles).  Information & booking

Ancient Look Out Points of the Northern Quantocks  (8.4 miles).  Information & booking

Stowey Woods Wildlife Walk (2 miles).   Information and booking

 

Sunday June 11th

England Coast Path - The Quantock Coast  (8.5 miles)  Information & booking

The Manor of Quantock Lodge (5.5 miles)  Information & booking

two moorland ponies grazing at sunset on the Quantock Hills in Somerset
Sunset over a rocky beach at low tide in West Somerset

Local Walks include:

Easy:

  • Around and About Nether Stowey
  • Nether Stowey & Fiddington
  • Combwich Lake and Steart Marshes
  • Aisholt & Peppermill Farm
  • Somerset/s Jurassic Coast and East Quantoxhead

Easy-Moderate

  • Hawkridge Reservoir & Lime Kiln

Moderate

  • Quantock Circular & Ramscombe Forest
  • Nether Stowey & Frian
  • Nether Stowey & Holford.

To download maps and route information about all these walks, visit the Local Walks page. Then, click on a walk for further details and download a pdf document that will provide the following information.

  • Walk distance and time required
  • Explorer Map reference
  • Refreshment locations
  • Public transport
  • Starting point and car parking

There are no fixed times for local walks – lace up your boots and go when it suits you. So, even if you cannot attend the Festival, you can amass details for the following walks to do as and when you holiday in The Quantock Hills.

The Quantock Hills is a popular holiday destination in Somerset, with several quaint and sleepy little villages strung out along its slopes like pearls in a necklace. The Hills cover an area of about 100 square kilometres, stretching from the West Somerset coast inland to Bishops Lydeard near Taunton. Unsurprisingly, it’s a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It is one of the UK’s oldest AONBs, designated in 1956 for its exceptional natural and cultural significance.

Here are some key features and activities you can enjoy in the Quantock Hills:

Scenic Landscapes: A myriad of footpaths crisscross stunning landscapes characterized by rolling hills, deep valleys, ancient woodlands, and heathlands. The area offers diverse scenery, including panoramic views from the hilltops such as at Wills Neck, peaceful river valleys, and picturesque villages of Nether Stowey, Halse, Roadwater, Triscombe and Stogumber. Most of these are blessed with historic churches and rustic country pubs with a reputation for fine dining.

Wildlife and Nature: The Quantock Hills are home to a rich variety of wildlife and plant species. On a walking holiday in the Quantocks, you can encounter red deer, wild ponies, and many bird species. Depending on the season, the area also boasts beautiful wildflowers, including heather, bluebells, and orchids.

Coombe Sydenham Country Park: Located within the Quantock Hills, Coombe Sydenham is a country park that offers a range of outdoor activities. It features a network of trails, picnic areas, and a visitor centre.

Fyne Court: Situated on the eastern edge of the Quantocks, Fyne Court is a National Trust property offering nature walks, picnics, and exploring the remnants of a Georgian mansion. The estate includes a nature reserve with woodlands and a lake.

Horse Riding and Cycling: The Quantock Hills offer excellent horse riding and cycling opportunities. You can traverse bridleways and cycle routes in all seasons that take you through the scenic countryside.

 

Photo credit: Moorland Ponies: Friends of The Quantocks 

An old tollhouse with arched windows and front door basks in the afternoon sunshine in Nether Stowey.
An old milk churn filled with flowers stands in a Somerset church porch.