Quantock Hills. An Area of Outstanding Beauty

The Heart of the Hills walk explores the ancient woodland valleys, streams and heathland hilltops in the core area of the commons, with stunning views.  This circular walk is such a varied, interesting and rewarding walk that I thought that I’d describe its route in this blog.

The walk takes between 3 to 4 hours depending on pace and time spent taking breaks and admiring the wonderful scenery and wildlife.  Brief route description below, refer to OS map Explorer 140

• The walk starts (and finishes) at the Holford Bowling Green car park (grid ref ST 154411) … info board in car park.
• Follow the lane past the Combe House Hotel and take the bridleway leading up Holford Combe
• At the large glade 154390 double back on yourself taking path to NW up onto Higher Hare Knap 147402 (great place for drink and views)
• Descend northwards down onto Lower Hare Knap and take bridleway to W down into Somerton Combe
• At junction of combes 143400 take bridleway up Lady’s Edge and Sheppard’s Combe up to Bicknoller Post 129403 (great place for breather, stunning views west to Exmoor)
• Head back east over Longstone Hill, following ridge track towards the Longstone (fantastic views of coast to north and heaths and wooded valleys to south)
• Just before group of Scots Pine trees 144408 (wonderful spot to admire valleys below) drop down into Hodder’s Combe on bridleway through Willoughby Cleeve
• Cross stream at bottom and follow Hodder’s Combe bridleway back to car park

This must be one of my favourite Quantock walks … it has everything!  It is easy to see why this wonderful landscape inspired Coleridge and the Wordsworths.

(PS: stout footwear definitely needed due to some stoney path sections and a number of stream crossings).

Our next guided walk is on Sunday 28th August and is particularly for kids! It's one of our 'Discover Wildlife' series and this time all about owls. Click here for more info.  To book call 0845 6880488 and quote the booking reference NRQ11AOG11

Tim