Ridges and Combes on the Quantock Hills

Our circular walk heads along the ridges to reach Beacon Hill before descending through combes to join the Coleridge Way and head toward Holford. After going through Hodder’s Combe our route will ascend to Higher Hare Knapp. Up on the hills there are some truly stunning views out across the Bristol Channel, even getting sights of the South Wales coastline. Looking westward we can take in Exmoor with more panoramic views of Somerset and beyond. This walk not only offers the excellent landscape of the Quantock Hills; however you’ll also be able to appreciate the contrast of scenery when we descend into the sheltered woodland combes hidden in the valleys of the Quantock Hills and walking alongside meandering streams.

This is a relatively non-arduous circular route with only a couple steep ascents along with a couple of steep descents. This is a relatively clean route too, as the terrain we are walking over is a combination of uneven stony track, moorland, quiet lanes, and some well-trodden trails. With only two gates to negotiate, no stiles, and the only other hazard to negotiate will be jumping a handful of streams. So some sturdy walking boots would be the recommendation of footwear for the day.

Highlights along the way will be the hills walking along the Macmillan Way and dropping down to the Coleridge Way, Alfoxton Wood, and the famous Alfoxton Park House, which unfortunately now is slightly dilapidated. Formally this property was the home of the late William and Dorothy Wordsworth. The Wordsworth’s bought this house so as to be near their friend Samuel Taylor Coleridge where the book of Lyrical Ballads was written in collaboration and published back in 1798. This publication went on to be proclaimed to be the beginning of the English Romantic Movement so changing the course of English literature and poetry.

Dogs are welcome to join under control as we walk along moorland, woodland, tracks,and some very quiet lanes. Be aware we will encounter free roaming sheep, horses, squirrels, and deer. There is signage from the Quantock Hill authority indicating clearly areas where owners are asked to put their dogs on leads.  

Photo Credits: All photos taken by the walk leader and permission is granted to ODL for their further use.
NB: The pictures supporting this walk were taken on a sunny winters day in January, so please use your imagination as to what it may look like in Spring.

Other walks for 2023:

Saturday - 15th April -  https://www.outdoorlads.com/events/swell-wood-fivehead-230415

Look out for more walks to be published soon.

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