Woodcombe - Wood Combe - Bratton Wood - Bratton - Woodcombe

Tom Hayes

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Starting from the hamlet of Woodcombe at the north-west corner of Minehead parish, the initial part of this walks follows a quiet streamside lane and paths uphill to a high hillside path above Wood Combe. Not to be confused with the hamlet itself, Wood Combe is a picturesque tree-filled valley and this high-level path gives dramatic views down to it.

A short hill-climb later and Hill Road is reached, where in the second World War tanks were driven up to a nearby training camp on North Hill. The tank marshalling area is in fact just off the course of this walk, but can be seen by detouring right upon reaching the car park and following the lane downhill for a short distance. These days Hill Road is used by vehicles for a scenic drive across the moorland, which ends at a car park on Bossington Hill overlooking Porlock, a fantastic place for walks and views.

Continuing with the walk, a stretch of the South West Coast Path national trail is followed across moorland, where there are views across the Bristol Channel to Wales and the Brecon Beacons. Exmoor Ponies roam freely on North Hill and they are a regular sight on this section of the hill. Another high hillside path is then taken before a descent through woods to the hamlet of Bratton. The walk passes by Bratton Court, a Grade I-listed building that was built in the 14th Century. The walk crosses a tiny bridge over a ford and follows a path through another area of woodland and a park area with a duck-pond to return to Woodcombe.

England - South West England - Somerset - Exmoor