So many ways to enjoy the Quantock Hills without endangering the environment or wildlife.
Explore the magnificent Great Wood. Follow waymarked trails (including an all ability trail) from Ramscombe. Facilities at Ramscombe include toilets and BBQ and picnic area. A grassy glade surrounded by beautiful woodland. For more information click here
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Tackle some of the best mountain bike routes in the West Country. Buy an Ordnance Survey 140 map to create your route. Please stick to the bridleways.
Ride horses or ponies along the many bridle paths (Lydeard Hill and Staple Plain have car parks that are large enough for a horse box if you are travelling
Walk from one end of the hills to the other and enjoy the breathtaking scenery and, if you don't want to walk, ride or cycle, you can do so many other activities. You can download a series of walks in the Quantocks by clicking here. Or download Ranger Tim's favourite walk click here
Lounge around or have a BBQ at the picnic area of Ramscombe
Spend a day at the beach - Kilve is suitable for families, especially children, who will be fascinated by the flat ammonites exposed on the foreshore and has great rock pooling as well.
Indulge your inner child and go on the West Somerset Railway which has steam trains that run from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead.
Take a stroll through the historic gardens at Hestercombe including The Edwardian Formal Garden created by Sir Edwin Lutyens and the planting by Gertrude Jekyll
Bring the children to Fyne Court in Broomfield with its nature trails, picnic area, and, most importantly, toilets.
Coleridge Cottage at Nether Stowey and maybe walk the Coleridge Way.
This is just a taster of what we have to offer for your enjoyment so visit our individual headings (Coast, Heath, Wildlife, Combe) for more detail or contact the relevant Tourist Information Centres:
Walkers are allowed to use footpaths, bridleways and restricted byways and have right of access across the open hilltops
Horse riders and mountain bikers are well provided for through the numerous bridleways and restricted byways they are allowed to use. It is important to note however that under the CRoW Act 2000 it is illegal for motorised vehicles to off road on the Quantock Hills without specific landowners' permission.
To enjoy this area fully Ordnance Survey Explorer 140 map show all access land and the rights of way mentioned above. We hope you enjoy yourselves and leave the Quantocks in the same condition you found them.
Georgie Grant - November 2010
View Annual reports from the Quantock AONB Service
Find out more about the geology of the Quantock Hills AONB, why the heathland is so important for birds, the red deer on the Quantocks and why the history of the landscape is so special.
The Quantock Hills AONB Management Plan 2009-2014 and Management Plan Summary
If you would like to subscribe to the Quantock Hills e-newsletter please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we will put you on our mailing list
A few things you might find interesting from organisations we work with in the Quantocks
Please click below to read responses made by the AONB on behalf of the Quantock Hills Joint Advisory Committee
Find out how the Quantock Hills AONB Service commented on planning applications in 2012
click here to read responses made by the AONB on behalf of the Quantock Hills Joint Advisory Committee
Find out how the Quantock Hills AONB Service commented on planning applications in 2012
Find our guidance documents and position statements here.
Climate-proof your tourism business
Annual deer count results for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013
Building Resilient Villages
Papers from the partnership committee the Joint Advisory Committeeqhjac_papers_22nd_july_11.pdf
Papers from the partnership committee the Joint Advisory Committee
Quantock Hills Visitor Guide
a full range of leaflets from circular walks to event guides and leaflets to allow you to enjoy the best of the hills
Find out the Quantock Hills AONB Service position, and our response to SCC
The Sustainable Development Fund provides grants to organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals who wish to explore and develop practical projects that enhance, conserve and develop the environment, economy and way of life.
Terms and Conditions for http://www.facebook.com/Quantock.hills
Ticks are becoming more common and a bite from this spider-like parasite could lead to Lyme Disease. This is a treatable infection caused by bacterium transmitted by ticks when they bite. Not every tick carries Lyme Disease and it is important to realise that the disease is relatively rare.
Quantock AONB Service
Tel: 01823 451 884
Somerset Wildlife Trust
Tel: 01823 652 400
www.somersetwildlife.org
National Trust
Tel: 01823 451 814
www.nationaltrust.org
Forestry Commission
Tel: 01278 732 319