Archives index

Click here to see the current article.

The region’s newest long distance walking route is now a year old and the Coleridge Way is being hailed as an enormous success.

New businesses have set up to cater for the influx of walkers in and around the West Somerset area, and even in the most remote of areas, local inn-keepers are reporting a noticeable upturn in lunchtime business.

This month sees the launch of a season of events in local communities along the route celebrating the Coleridge Way, which will further boost the local economy. These include guided walks, artists’ walks and Coleridge themed events.

On May 13 there is a guided 3.5 mile walk from Luxborough to Roadwater in the Brendon Hill, followed that evening by a barn dance at Luxborough Village Hall.
Two other guided walks have been arranged for June: an escorted stroll for dogs and owners, with a stop at Horner Tea Gardens and a strenuous 12 mile guided walk from Nether Stowey to Watchet, where you can visit the Boat Museum and Ancient Mariner statue.

Other walks and events take place throughout the season and details can be found here or phone 0845 1661001 for a leaflet. For more information on the Coleridge Way itself, visit the official site, or ring Porlock Visitor Centre on 01643 863150.

Wivey Where?
The ancient market town of Wiveliscombe, tucked under the eastern end of the Brendon Hills in West Somerset, is perhaps not the best known of the region’s many walking territories. But old brewery town is set in a beautiful vale and certainly deserves more recognition as a place in which to dawdle.
The local parish council certainly thinks so – it has just published an excellent book of walks to promote hiking in the area. The ring-bound 52-page book was written by Brenda Boyland and Ann Scotter and contains 11 circular walks ranging from one to 23 miles in length.

I hope to be experiencing at least one of these hikes for the WMN Westcountry walks page soon, but in the meantime will pass on the news that the book is being launched tomorrow (Saturday April 29) at the Wiveliscombe Community Centre at 10 am, when you can buy the £3.90 book at a special one-off discount price and enjoy a guided walk of the first eight miles of the new 23 mile Wivey Way.

Organisers suggest you bring a picnic and phone 01984 624666 if you wish to book a return lift, or phone 01984 624075/ 623192 or 624777 for any other details.
Peter Messer-Bennetts May has emailed to tell me he operates a weekly guided walk around the village of St Mawes, on the Roseland peninsula. This is his fourth year and the walks are held every Wednesday, up to and including, 4th October 2006. They start from the Roseland Visitor Centre at 10 30 am and take about 90 minutes. The cost is £3 per person.

Peter also writes: “Could I also take this opportunity to say I published a book of walks around St Mawes entitled "Enjoy self-guided walks of St Mawes". (ISBN 0-9545360-0-2). It is available locally at £2 or direct from myself at £2 50p.”