Crowcombe to Holford - Quantock Greenway

Parking

Crowcombe lies off the A358, approximately 10 miles from Taunton in a north-westerly direction. There is a free car park behind the church house (ref 141 366).

Route

From the car park at Crowcombe head north-west along the road for about 1/4 mile, past the Carew Arms and, a little further along, the village shop. The Greenway is clearly signposted on the right hand side of the road.

The next short section, much of which is new and not marked on the map, follows the A358 for about 1/2 mile before emerging onto a very quiet lane (pic 1). Wander along the lane, which passes Halsway Manor (pic3), and enjoy the splendid views across the Vale of Taunton Deane to the Brendon Hills in the west. Halsway Manor is now owned by a registered charity, the Halsway Manor Society, a folk dance and song society. After another 1/4 mile, or so, the lane passes Paradise Combe (pic 4) and shortly afterwards becomes a footpath. Just before the village of Bicknoller the path briefly touches Trendle Lane. Continuing on, you pass the remains of a prehistoric site, Trendle Ring settlement. The path follows the edge of the hills through the dappled shade of lovely woodland (pic 5), passes the bottom of a several more combes and comes out onto the road at West Quantoxhead (pic 9).

On reaching the road through West Quantoxhead walk in a north-easterly direction for a short distance until reaching the A39. Turn right and pass in front of the Windmill pub (open all day during the summer.)

If you look across the A39 you can see the parish church of St Audries, which was rebuilt in 1856. The 15th century screen that existed in the original church was dismantled and, after a number of years in storage, was bought by the parishoners of Exford village church, where it can now be seen today. Just below the church you will see there is a Victorian mansion, built for Sir Peregrine Ackland, which stands on the site of an earlier manor house. Both the mansion and the church are the work of architect John Norton. The mansion was sold in 1924 and was subsequently a girls boarding school, then a Bhuddist centre and is now a wedding venue..

The Greenway continues along a footpath on the left hand side of the pub heading through a disused quarry into Vinny Combe. The valley is filled with rhododendrons and It is well worth wandering further up this combe during May when they are in bloom. Just after passing through a gate follow the fence line up the steep side of the combe (this is the steepest part of the whole route!) The route now continues uphill and around Deer Park woods. More excellent views back towards Minehead. Just past the woods the signpost points you down Perry Combe and you then follow the path along the northern foothills with views across farmland to the Bristol Channel (Pic10).

Just over half a mile from Holford, you pass the driveway leading to the Youth Hostel. The lane you follow leads past Alfoxton House, now an hotel, which is famous for being where William Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy, lived for a brief period of time during the 18th century. They moved here to be closer to Coleridge, who was living in Nether Stowey.

Further description is unnecessary - enjoy!

Pic 1
Quiet Lane