Coleridge Way Guided Trail

Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.

Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)

Ascent: 2,400 feet (740m)

We start the day at Poets Corner in The Valley of Rocks, a fascinating, rocky  valley known for its wild goats and stunning landscape.  It’s easy to see why it was named ‘Little Switzerland’ by Robert Southey, a friend of Coleridge.  Descending into Lynmouth, where Samuel Taylor Coleridge was a frequent visitor, we reach the true start of the Coleridge Way.  From the harbour, we follow the banks of the East Lyn river on an undulating woodland path to Watersmeet, a former fishing lodge now owned by National Trust and open as a tea room. We continue through woods alongside the East Lyn emerging at Brendon.  From here, the path rises above the river valley with extensive views across Lorna Doone country to reach Malmsmead.

Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)

Ascent: 1,650 feet (500m)

From Malmsmead we rejoin the Coleridge Way descending to join the riverside path to Oare, where we have an option to visit Oare Church, made famous in R D Blackmore’s book Lorna Doone. We then steeply ascend the ridge of Deddy Combe where we’re rewarded with views of Exmoor including the Doone Valley, one of Exmoor’s hidden treasures. We now head towards the Somerset coastline, on hedged tracks and lanes with glimpses of the Bristol Channel. We head past Ash Farm where Coleridge was inspired to write Kubla Khan and finally descend through Worthy Wood to the village of Porlock with its grade I listed 13thc church dedicated to St Dubricius.

Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km)

Ascent: 2,210 feet (675m)

Departing Porlock, there’s a steep ascent that flattens out as we reach the lanes and tracks that lead to Horner, an attractive hamlet of thatched cottages. Heading uphill through woodland takes us to the lookout at Webber’s Post. After enjoying the views over Horner Wood and up to Dunkery Beacon (the highest point on Exmoor) we skirt around the base of Dunkery Hill to reach the River Avill. Once across the river, we follow wooded paths to the village of Wheddon Cross where there’s an aptly-named pub called Rest and be Thankful (so-called because of its hilltop location at the end of a very long climb from the coast at Dunster and Minehead).

Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)

Ascent: 950 feet (295m)

From Wheddon Cross, we’ll visit the 13th century Cutcombe Church with its stained-glass window depicting a line from Coleridge’s poem Frost at Midnight. Following an ancient sunken lane and footpaths, we cross fields to ascend Lype Hill – the highest point of the Coleridge Way. From here, we’re rewarded with far-reaching views over the Brendon Hills. We’ll then descend to the hamlet of Kingsbridge and take a route that rises and falls to reach our finish point for the day, the village of Roadwater. Perched on the Washford River, it served as one of the stations on the Old Mineral Line that brought iron ore from the Brendon Hills to Watchet, ready to be shipped to Wales for processing.

Distance: 9.5 miles (15km)

Ascent: 1,300 feet (400m)

From Roadwater, the path climbs gently through fields and woodland to follow a level track above the Washford River and the route of the Old Mineral Line. We’ll follow old lanes into Monksilver and continue to the village of Sampford Brett - birthplace of Richard le Breton, one of the four knights who murdered Thomas Becket in 1170. Crossing the West Somerset Steam Railway line and the A358 to Bicknoller, we’ll pass by its 12th century church full of interesting features. Keep an eye out for the ornately carved angels and nightmarish animal heads.

Distance: 10 miles (16km)

Ascent: 1,740 feet (530m)

On our final day, the route winds around the lower slopes of the Quantock Hills – one of Coleridge’s favourite places to roam.  Ascending from Bicknoller, we join a woodland path with a brief section of road and walk into West Quantoxhead. It’s then onto a grassy track that weaves through the woods before descending to Alfoxton House – the one-time home of William Wordsworth. Continuing to Holford, we’ll head up and over heathland to Woodlands Hill and down to Dowsborough where an Iron Age hill fort once stood. Lanes and paths lead us past the remains of Stowey Castle to our final destination - Nether Stowey. The village has an interesting collection of old houses crowded along its narrow streets, including the National Trust-owned, Coleridge Cottage - the former home of Samuel Taylor Coleridge himself and a fitting end to our journey.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.