Coleridge Way

Travel through the Exmoor National Park and the stunning Quantocks Hills as you walk in the footsteps of poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
You start off in the pretty village of Nether Stowey, at the foot of the Quantock Hills and head west towards Holford, passing the iron age fort of Dowsborough on the way.
You continue through a wooded section at Alfroxton Woods and onto Stowborrow Hill with its resident deer before passing through Bicknoller and Monksilver where you enter Combe Sydenham Country Park. Here you will find a 15th century stately home set in a 500 acres estate which includes a Deer Park and a variety of walks.
The route continues through the Brendon Hills climbing to the high point of Lype Hill (1,388 ft) with wonderful views over the Exmoor National Park. You'll pass the villages of Luxborough and Cutcombe before climbing Horner Hill and passing the delightful Dunkery and Horner Woods Nature Reserve where you can enjoy a climb to Dunkery Beacon. The path then descends to the pretty coastal settlements of Porlock and Porlock Weir where there's a delightful harbour and beach.
The route continues west past Culbone Wood, Leeford and Alderford before coming to another route highlight at Watersmeet with its fine house, woodland trails and waterfalls along the East Lyn River. The final section then takes you through Wester Wood before finishing in Lynton and Lynmouth.

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Coleridge Way Ordnance Survey Map - view and print off detailed OS map

Coleridge Way Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

Coleridge Way OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Coleridge Way Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

At the start of the walk there's the Ancient Mariner in Nether Stowey. The 16th century pub has a good menu and a nice garden area to relax in on warmer days. They also provide accommodation if you'd like to stay over in the village before you start the walk. You can find them at postcode TA5 1NG for your sat navs. The pub is located opposite the National Trust's Coleridge Cottage where you can learn all about the life and works of the famous poet.
In the little village of Monksilver you could visit the Notley Arms for some refreshments on your walk. The pub has a lovely, large garden area with a pretty stream. It's perfect for relaxing in on warm summer days. They serve Somerset's finest Ales, Beers and Ciders as well as the best local produce for the meals, which are freshly prepared daily by the award winning team of chefs. They also provide excellent accommodation if you need to stay over. You can find the pub in the village at postcode TA4 4JB for your sat navs.
Near West Quantoxhead you could take a detour from the route to visit Kilve Beach and East Quantoxhead. The beach is a great place for fossil hunting and walks along the cliff top path. There's also a lovely cafe for cream teas and a 17th century coaching inn in Kilve village.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Here are some famous Coleridge quotes:
"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree:
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea."
-Kubla Khan
“Water, water, everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink.”
-The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

For more walking ideas in the area see the Exmoor Walks and the Quantocks Walks pages.