Outdoor Activities

SOMERSET'S GREAT OUTDOORS

Walking, Cycling, Bird watching, Caving, Climbing, Fishing, Golfing, Horse riding, Watersports, Multi-activity centres ...........

Somerset is the perfect haven for the outdoor enthusiast with a wonderful mixture of varied landscapes just waiting to be explored. On the coast long sandy beaches and tidal estuaries contrast with dramatic, rocky sea cliffs; inland the countryside is equally as varied with five ranges of hills (three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), the fragile Levels and Moors and the wild, unspoilt expanses of Exmoor.

This county of contrast in the heart of South West England has much to offer the more active visitor be it one of the more popular pastimes such as walking, cycling, angling and golfing or adventure sports like caving and climbing. There are also excellent opportunities for horse riding and various watersports as well as bird watching and numerous multi-activity centres which also welcome families.

Walking

Several long distance trails pass through Somerset; there are also numerous circular and linear walks of varying lengths to suit a range of ages and abilities from the serious hiker to families out for a Sunday afternoon stroll. Some trails are also suitable for wheelchair access.

Walkers seeking a greater challenge can choose from six longer waymarked routes - the Leland Trail, River Parrett Trail, Liberty Trail, Mendip Way, Two Moors Way and South West Coast Path. Some start and finish in the county, others pass through on longer journeys.

The 28-mile Leland Trail, which can be comfortably completed in two or three days, traces the journey taken by John Leland, keeper of the Royal libraries, when he was commissioned by King Henry VIII in the 1530's to seek out and record England's antiquities. It leads through gentle agricultural landscapes from Alfred's Tower on the Somerset/Wiltshire border to Ham Hill west of Yeovil.

Relatively new, the 50-mile River Parrett Trail follows the course of the Parrett from its source in Dorset, through South Somerset and across the Levels to its mouth at Bridgwater Bay, passing through one of Britain's most ecologically sensitive and fragile areas. Along the route artists have used natural local materials to create new stiles, bridges, gates, seats and sculptures.

The 28-mile Liberty Trail follows the route that supporters of the Monmouth rebellion may have taken in 1685. It leads across the hills and vales from South Somerset's Ham Hill to the Dorset coast at Lyme Regis where the Duke landed on his return home from exile.

Starting at Uphill, near Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset, the Mendip Way leads over the Mendip plateau to Wells, which qualifies as England's smallest city due to its magnificent cathedral, and on through Shepton Mallet finishing at Frome. The route totals around 50 miles; an ideal distance to be covered in a long-weekend break, and also allowing time to view nearby visitor attractions.

Marking its 25th anniversary this year, the South West Coast Path starts at Minehead on the edge of Exmoor National Park. At 630 miles this is the UK's longest national trail; the Somerset section is one of the most beautiful and challenging as it winds its way over the highest sea cliffs in England.

Traversing spectacular scenery, the 102 mile Two Moors Way links the two National Parks of Exmoor and Dartmoor. The Somerset section takes in the famous Tarr Steps - one of he most mysterious bridges in Britain built over the River Barle in Medieval times, or earlier. It then follows the river as it climbs up onto Exmoor before its finale on the coast at Lynmouth.

Cycling and Mountain Biking

The 80-mile circular South Somerset Cycle Route (No. 30 in the Sustrans National Cycle Network) is one of the best ways to explore this scenic area of rural England. It takes in the region's gentle hills and vales to the north east of Yeovil as well as the fragile moors and wetlands, plus pretty hamstone villages and historic market towns. It can be undertaken in seven easy stages with the majority of the ride being along fairly level, quiet country lanes suitable for most abilities while the few hills are well worth the climb for the tremendous views from their summit.

Touring cyclists will also appreciate the more challenging West Country Way which crosses Somerset on its 250-mile journey from Padstow on the North Cornish coast to Bristol. Devised by Sustrans, it takes in the attractive Bridgwater and Taunton Canal towpath.

The Mendip district has produced a booklet with six circular rides encouraging visitors to discover the wonderful landscapes, distinctive villages and historic towns by bike. The Mendip Cycle Routes all start and finish in town centre car parks to reduce the need for car journeys to the countryside. Although each could be cycled comfortably in around three hours, visits to attractions and meal breaks could extend the routes into full day excursions. Sedgemoor has also produced two cycling leaflets, the first includes four rides across the Levels and Moors, Polden Hills and Cheddar Valley and the second features five rides in and around the Quantock Hills (latter available from July).

Superb mountain biking can be found on Exmoor and the Quantock Hills, which run from the Somerset coast southwards to the county town of Taunton. The huge variety of terrain has routes for all abilities from gentle wide-open paths to fast, exhilarating down hills and challenging climbs. Moorland tracks descend to sea level through forests and woods with winding, single-track bridleways.

There are more leisurely circular and linear routes across the fragile Somerset Levels and around Stoke St Gregory in the heart of Somerset's willow growing and basket making area. This area was once a marshy sea, but its now drained by canals or rhynes out to the sea. The Vale of Taunton Deane between the Blackdown Hills and the Quantocks also offers numerous rides including the Taunton Cycle Trail - a circular route around the county market town taking in lovely countryside and pretty villages.

Other Activities

With around 400 miles (644km) of waymarked bridleways, Exmoor is a very important equestrian area. Numerous hotels, farms and guesthouses offer stabling; there are holidays dedicated to horse riding and trekking with optional guides and luggage transfer. High calibre riding schools also dotted across the entire county while in Sedgemoor and North Somerset it's possible to gallop across the sandy beaches all year round (some time restrictions during July and August) - a high-speed gallop at dawn or dusk is a wonderful experience!

Although only reaching to around 1,000 feet, because the Mendip Hills rise so steeply from the sea-level plains, they provide magnificent panoramic views and challenging climbing and abseiling, particularly around the Cheddar Gorge, while below ground the caverns and passages are a magnet for cavers. The showcaves at Cheddar run adventure courses under strict supervision for visitors wishing to experience real caving and explore hidden depths as opposed to taking a guided tour around pre-lit chambers. Alternatively novices can join a local caving club.

All Somerset regions have something to offer both the experienced angler and newcomer from sea fishing along the coast to river locations on the banks of the Isle, Parrett and Yeo. The county's natural, unspoilt rural landscape offers an abundance of quality coarse fishing in rivers, ponds, drains and canals while the well-stocked lakes at Blagdon and Chew Valley, as well as rivers and reservoirs, provide excellent opportunities for fly-fishing.

The low-lying Somerset Levels and Moors are a watery haven for fishermen and wildlife attracting birds of prey, herons and wildfowl as well as a variety of insects and rare plants. Another area of great interest to birdwatchers is the mouth of the River Parrett Trail at Steart Point. Here mud banks are shaped and reshaped by the sea currents as they play host thousands of birds all year round - visitors can climb the tower bird hide and watch them probe for food between tides.

For watersports enthusiasts the seaside resorts of Berrow, Brean Sands and Weston-super-Mare have wide expanses of golden sand allowing activities like kite and buggy racing and sand yachting. There's jet-skiing on a reclaimed lake at Evercreech just south of Shepton Mallet and both jet-skiing and water-skiing at Middlemoor Water Park, near Bridgwater.

Finally the Mill-on-the-Brue at Bruton offers forty challenging activities and outdoor pursuits with qualified instructors while Broadway House Holiday Park, near Cheddar runs a host of family activities such as archery, canoeing and BMX biking. It's possible to ski in Somerset at the Yeovil Ski Centre or High Activity at Churchill and there are twenty-three golf courses.

For further information about Somerset, a county of contrast, and accommodation suggestions call 01934 750833 or visit www.visitsomerset.co.uk

A new free publication, 'Route-Finder', lists seventeen walking, riding and cycling routes across the county. Call 01823 356264 for a free copy or email ajwestall@somerset.gov.uk.