Basset Hound Walkers Quantocks

The Quantock Hills are only 12 miles long but are a gem of combes, open hillsides, streams, ponies and deer. Well Wordsworth and Coleridge liked it, so it's good enough for the Basset Hound Walkers.

We meet at Cothelstone Car Park (first photo below) and amble a smidgeon under five miles down and round and back to the top of the hill with fine views of the Bristol Channel, Wales – if it's clear – Exmoor, the Mendips and even Devon, though I can't think of any reason why anyone would want to.

If you look on the map attached (map reference ST201328), you will see we cheat by starting walking from nearly a thousand feet up, then gently go down for a mile or so through very pleasant woods, maybe stroking the odd pony or two. Then along the almost flat bit at the bottom of Cothelstone negotiating some stiles which all but one should be capable of circumventing. The one which may cause some excitement needs strong men, so get in training. (It will make good video anyway).

Quantock Hills

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Blackdown Hills on the horizon

Cothelstone car park

Entrance to car park (not signed) Half a mile west from The Pines cafe.

Then the alert amongst you will surmise that we have to stroll upwards for a wee while, but remember that:

  • the OS humorously, or perversely, mark this as "Paradise" so you can tell your friends you have "walked through Paradise"
  • the group has done this before – and some of them still talk to me
  • the steep bit is in the first 100yds, after that it, well, eases off
  • think of the home-made scones with lashings of cream and delicious jam that Sue and Roger Moore have promised us at the end (is that right, Sue?)
  • wolves haven't been seen here for ages. We can take our time.

Bristol Channel

Bristol Channel

Notice

This could be interesting.

To find the start (10.30am)

The start is 8 miles from Junction 25 of the M5. Go through several roundabouts and five sets of traffic lights, following the signs to Minehead (A358). As you go through the 4th set of lights, having passed the signs left to the railway station, move into the right hand lane looking for Kingston (St Mary), or as the paint on the road says just "K'ston."

It is now just five miles straight ahead, through the village of Kingston St Mary, then the beautiful Quantock Hills rear ahead. The last bit is steep till you get to a cross-roads with the Pines Café right opposite. Turn immediately left and half a mile on the left is the car park (see photo above). It is not over large so late-comers may have to park in the road.

After the walk Roger & Sue Moore (hound = the memorable Dr Watson) – who live 2½ miles away at Aisholt – have kindly asked us all back for tea and home-made cakes and lashings of cream (who needs the Pines Café?).

But don't forget some lunch and bonios.

Quantocks

Quantocks

Matilda and Miss Moppet

Ponies

Pond

I've even arranged for a pond to
cool off near the finish