For details of the Coleridge Way, including detailed route plan, photographs [click here]
Coleridge reading at
Coleridge Cottage
April 2005
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was a prolific walker. In one day he was reported to have walked from Nether Stowey to Porlock.
A new walking trail of some 37 miles, crossing The Quantock Hills, The Brendon Hills and Exmoor that recreates a route he may have taken was launched on 8th April. To celebrate the launch of The Coleridge Way a series of events is being held ranging from guided walks to an appearance by the man himself!
Julien Temple
On the evening of 8th April a screening of Julien Temple's film about Coleridge, 'Pandaemonium', was held in Nether Stowey Church Centre to a packed audience. To start the evening a brief talk about the Coleridge way was given by Alan Martingell, the project manager, and Chris Sidaway from Sedgemoor Council. Alan highlighted the amount of interest the project has received, both at local and national levels. During the last few weeks he has been walking the route with various members of the press.
Alan Martingell
The project was conceived some years ago, but work was actually started with Alan's appointment in 2004. There is still some work to be done - waymarking has yet to be undertaken and a leaflet about the route is being produced.
I have already walked the Coleridge Way for Quantock Online, and will be adding comprehensive information and photos to the site in the near future. The route certainly takes in some beautiful countryside and the middle section introduced me to some walks on the Brendon Hills, about which I knew very little. The scenery is varied and changes in nature as you progress along the route, giving a real sense of 'going somewhere'. In fact it could be used as an alternative start to the South West Coast path.
I walked the route in 3 days and would suggest that 3-4 days would be a sensible amount of time to take if you are to spend time enjoying the villages you pass through, (and they all have pubs!). However, in the back of my mind, there's something starting to challenge me to do it in one go...
The Quantock Hills
The Brendon Hills
Exmoor
The Brendon Hills
