Walking Through the Quantocks Hills
Woodland, farmland, deep combs, high moorland heath and secluded villages are the backdrop to Coleridge's famous works. Occupied in 1797, the cottage in Nether Stowey stands as the site of his most prolific period. Within the space of three years he had written his most famous work, looking to the surrounding hills and combs for inspiration.
"Now, my friends emerge/ Beneath the wide wide Heaven - and view again / The many-steepled tract magnificent/ Of hilly fields and meadows, and the sea."
Walking The Coleridge Way
Coleridge was a keen walker, thinking nothing of a 40-mile hike to visit friends; here we begin at Coleridge's front door, with a trail that traces his footsteps to Wordsworth’s stately home in Alfoxton Park. From there begins the ascent to the slopes of the Quantocks Hills, where early-risers get the best chance to catch sight of the 1000+ red deer which roam there. Trying to spot a hundred varieties of bird in a day is a common challenge among birdwatchers of the area, indicative of the sheer abundance of wildlife in these hills.
Red soil pasture folds into the Brendon Hill range where this trail continues, and from here we take the winding trail around the windswept moorland edges of Exmoor-one of our finest wild open landscapes.
Meander through an idyllic, quintessentially English part of the world, where the sleepy villages along the route have names like Quantoxhead, Bicknoller and Monksilver. You may be tempted by the array of ancient pubs dotted along the way, as no doubt Coleridge and Wordsworth were on their long walks into the country.
Views from Exmoor extend into South Wales and mid-Devon as you make the gradual descent down to the coast at Porlock Bay.
You have the option to to finish your walk in Porlock, or if you wish, to take the recent extension of the trail inland through Worthy Woods before descending into the famous Doone Valley. The trail passes through Oare, the beauty spot of Watersmeet where it meets the South West Coast Path to Lynmouth.
In 2008 this route was selected by The Times as one of Britain's best autumn walks. When it comes to hiking South England, Spring and autumn are the most scenic times, but the walk can be taken at any point in the year.
Each of the walking trails we offer has been walked and assessed. Give us a call, we would be delighted to talk you through a walking holiday on the Coleridge Way.
Celtic Trails has 20 years’ experience providing tailored, quality itineraries for walkers who appreciate good service, comfort and organisation.
