Walks in South West England

If you are a fan of the old classic novel Jamaica Inn, by Daphne du Maurier, then you will no doubt love Bodmin Moor. Rough Tor and Brown Willy are the two highest points in the county, near to the town of Camelford, where you can find cafes and pubs for the start and end of your walk. Good vision will enhance your walk greatly, so don’t pick a misty day. If you have time ensure you check out the Bronze Age settlements.

Distance – 5 miles
Time – 2.5 hours
Difficulty – moderate, open moor, moderate hills, some rocky paths

Country Walking magazine, Spring 2019

In the South of the county, this is not a walk to be done in wet weather, due to much being on granite rocks which could be slippery when wet, but is a beautiful one nonetheless. A figure of eight walk, which passes several disused mines, and stunning views from Combestone Tor.

Distance – 6.75 miles
Time – 3.5 hours
Difficulty – Medium difficulty, but not to be tackled in the wet

Countrywide magazine April 2019

Lynmouth is found on the North Devon coast, where you depart the harbour and rise up Countisbury Hill where you get great views of the Exmoor coast. Follow the East Lyn river to Watersmeet and back to Lynmouth, enjoying the boulders, rapids and waterfalls of the river.

Distance – 9.5 miles
Time – 5 hours
Difficulty – hard, but rewarding

Starting near the Iron Age fort at Eggardon Hill, near Bridport, this walk boasts superb viewpoints in all directions, including across Lyme Bay and onto Devon. As well as the fort which was protected by 3 ramparts and 2 ditches, Eggardon Hill was also the home of the successful smuggler, Isaac Gulliver.

Distance – 5 miles
Time – 3 hours
Difficulty – Medium, with a drop down in the middle followed by sharp incline

Country Walking magazine, December 2018

This walk is great for bird lovers, as it follows the river Frome and the marshes east of Wareham. This combines the Two Rivers Walk with the Walls Walk, and skirts round a gravel pit before heading back to town.

Distance – 5 miles
Time – 2.5 hours
Difficulty – easy, level, sections on town streets

Country Walking magazine, Spring 2019

Country Walking magazine, Spring 2019

Being in the Cotswolds, it’s not surprising that this walk has plenty of climbs. Snowshill is named such due to the fact that it supposedly has more snow than the other parts of the Cotswolds. It was used in filming Bridget Jones’ Diary – a true modern classic! Three beautiful villages are reached mainly by fields, woodland tracks and quiet country lanes.

Distance – 8.5 miles
Time – 4.5 hours
Difficulty – Medium, undulating, but not too steep

Country Walking magazine, December 2018

Near the town of Radstock you will find Ammerdown Park, a beautiful wooded estate. Much of the walk takes place in the estate, but you also get to walk along an old railway line that went between Frome and Radstock. The highlight of the walk is the 150 foot high Ammerdown tower, built in 1853.

Distance – 8 miles
Time – 4 hours
Difficulty – Moderate, woodland paths, tarmacked railway path, gentle climbs

Country Walking magazine, Spring 2019

Possibly the oldest inn in England, The George, can be found in the picturesque village of Norton St Philip. The church tower dominates the village, and it is said that this was what attracted Samuel Pepys to this part of Somerset. Stone cottages, farms, little used country lanes make this walk a favourite for those that know, rather than the busier nearby Mendip Hills or Cotswolds.

Distance – 4.5 miles
Time – 3 hours
Difficulty – Easy, with a few slopes.

Country Walking magazine, December 2018

Situated near the town of Corsham, this walk along Box Hill Common will be attractive to birdwatchers, especially in the By Brook Valley. Stone mining was what gave this area it’s riches, and you can see evidence of this in The Quarryman’s Arms. This walk finishes along Hazelbury Common and the Manor of the same name.

Distance – 4.5 miles
Time – 2.5 miles
Difficulty – medium difficulty, with one major hill down and one up