Montacute - Ham Hill - Norton sub Hamdon - Montacute

Joanna Heathorn

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The walk begins in the mellow hamstone village of Montacute. You start by walking through the main village street, passing the Radio and TV Museum, then going across the village square past the Phelips Arms and the entrance to the Elizabethan mansion.

On reaching the church of St Catherine's with its unique 300-year-old clock, you turn to pass the priory gatehouse and the humps and hollows of the former priory site. The walk then enters Hedgecock Woods with an abundance of spring flowers and birds especially woodpeckers, buzzards and nuthatches; you may also spot a deer.

On reaching the Iron Age hill-fort of Ham Hill you pass the Prince of Wales pub, named after the owner of the hill in his capacity as Duke of Cornwall. You walk across the summit of the hill with the ramparts of the fort on your right and the millennium stone circle on your left. All the way there are magnificent views as well as the evidence of the quarrying that has taken place since Roman times. Along this section there are plenty of seats if you want to stop to admire the view.

You drop down to follow another ridge path, again with great views and a final descent brings you to a peaceful pastoral setting surrounded by hills and trees. The walk then visits the hamlet of Little Norton with its mill and working water wheel. Then it is time to climb again along the beautiful Witcombe Valley and past the deserted mediaeval village site with clearly visible holloways, house platforms and strip lynchets before dropping back down to Montacute, with views of the village to accompany you all the way.

England - South West England - Somerset - Countryside

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Good for Kids, Great Views, Industrial Archaeology, Museum, National Trust, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, Stately Home, Tea Shop, Toilets, Woodland

13/04/2021 - Patricia Daw

What a delightful walk. We did it after visiting Montacute House and so left our car there. We really recommend a detour up to the top of St Michael's hill. Good views. We walked up through an abundance of wild garlic. The rest of the walk is well directed as long as you follow that little red circle on the app.: without it, it could be easy to go off course especially as you get near to coming out from the woods close to the pub.

23/02/2011 - Paul Croft