Quantock Hills are situated between Taunton and Bridgwater stretching to the sea at the Bristol Channel. Though compact, measuring just twelve miles by four, they offer extensive views over much of Somerset and across to the Welsh coast.
THE QUANTOCKS
The first place in Britain to be designated An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was the land on and around the Quantock Hills which inspired the great poets of the Romantic Movement, Coleridge and Wordsworth to pen some of their finest verses. The pair, accompanied by Wordsworth’s sister Dorothy, would wander the woods, rolling hills and coastal paths for hours and in many ways much of what they wondered at has not changed.
Characterised by deep wooded valleys or "combes", open heath land and rich flora and fauna, the Quantocks are ideal for
walking,
cycling and
horseriding. Such is their special quality, that this area was the first in the country to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956.
Amongst the many picturesque villages are: Kingston St Mary,
Bishops Lydeard, Holford,Crowcombe and
Nether Stowey, one time home of Romantic poet Samuel Taylor
Coleridge and starting point of the 51 mile Coleridge Way.
Fyne Court, near Broomfield was once the home of Andrew Crosse, an early pioneer of electricity, is the main
visitor centre for the Quantock Hills.