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river swimming 1 West Lydford, River Brue A pretty stretch of river running by the church lawns from the road bridge to the weir, with rope swing. West Lydford is just off the A37, near the ,, B3153 junction (Lydford-on-Fosse). Footpath runs through churchyard to weir and then footbridge. Also access via track on opposite bank. If you use the churchyard please don’t picnic, sunbathe or leave litter. 2 mins, 51.0846, -2.6236 18q 2 Baltonsborough Flights Large, stepped weir cascade on River Brue with pool beneath, in fields off the lane. Follow river footpath downstream from East Lydford 2 miles or, heading S out of Baltonsborough on the Barton St David lane, find footpath through fields on R after ¾ mile, before Catsham. 5 mins, 51.1019, -2.6473 1= 3 Parchey Bridge, Chedzoy King’s Sedgemoor ‘drain’ is actually a very pleasant river, albeit straight and a bit muddy, that runs through a huge empty part of the Levels. Head downstream (walk or
cycle) and take a dip opposite Pendon Hill or canoe/walk upstream towards Glastonbury and you will see no-one for miles. This is a great stretch of water for easy canoeing. From M5 J23 (Bridgewater) follow A39 ,, Glastonbury, then turn R at lights, A39 Bridgewater. Turn L signed Chedzoy after a mile. Turn L in Chedzoy at the T-juction (Front Street) and continue 1 mile. You can also pick up Cycle Route 3 here and complete a lovely circuit via Catcott. The upstream path reaches Greylake Bridge (A361, 51.1061, -2.8617) after 4 miles, and continues another 6 miles to Somerton beyond that. 5 mins, 51.1353, -2.9278 12c 4 Muchelney Abbey, River Parrett Visit the NT abbey and ruins then take a picnic down the River Parrett footpath and find a quiet place for a dip. Lovely views back to the abbey. Muchelney is signed, 1 mile S of Langport. ,, As you enter, turn R by the church/abbey, signed Drayton, to find river and downstream path after ¼ mile on R. Also on the Parrett Trail footpath and ‘Orchard and Cider’ cycle trail (see 13). 10 mins, 51.0201, -2.8214 c23
ancient forest 5 Montacute House and tree swings Stunning NT Elizabethan house with tree swings, good café and local-produce market. The house is signed on A3088 between ,, Yeovil and Stoke-sub-Hamdon. There is a big 2-person chair swing on the Cedar Lawn or jump over the wall into the parkland to find tree swings under the great sweet chestnuts. The courtyard café offers local produce meals and there are occasional farmers’ markets in the grounds. 10 mins, 50.9513, -2.7154 sc 6 Oaks of Avalon, Glastonbury Two massive, dying oak trees, more than 1,000 years old, named after legendary giants Gog and Magog. They formed part of a long ceremonial avenue that was said to lead to the Tor from Wells Cathedral, and then to King Arthur’s castle at South Cadbury. Descend on the NE side of Glastonbury Tor, ,, bear R and follow No Through Road, Stone Lane (Cycle Route 3) for ¾ mile then take footpath on L, towards Old Oaks caravan park (BA6 8JS, 01458 831437). Also accessible via A361 Edgarley, then signs to Wick. 20 mins, 51.1497, -2.6848 z
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