Explore the Quantock Hills National Landscape through our Soul Walks, led by Linda Deeley via the ‘Get Outside in Somerset’ campaign.

This campaign - created by the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) in partnership with Somerset County Council, Community Council for Somerset, Spark Somerset and Somerset Wildlife Trust - is helping our community empower themselves to get outside more often and enjoy our beautiful county. It can be all too easy to fall into a state of walking where your feet are moving but your mind is elsewhere, life has a habit of getting in the way. But these walks are opportunities to be present and give yourself a well-deserved break, a chance to put yourself first. The Quantock Hills are steeped in history and flourished with timeless beauty. With a blend of reflective walking and opportunities to engage with walking companions, we can enhance the benefits of mindful walking and socialising, contributing towards the bettering of our physical and mental health.

WHAT IS A SOUL WALK?

Soul Walks are free monthly 3-4 mile guided walks on the Quantock Hills with an emphasis on noticing each step of the journey with plenty of opportunity for mindful reflection. Our walkers are encouraged to fully engage in the natural environment that surrounds them and to recharge and reconnect with nature. Walks are varied to enable walkers to become familiar with different routes across the Quantocks and they take place either on a Thursday or a Saturday and are limited to 10 people. The first Soul Walk of 2024 will take place on Thursday March 14 and will follow the route you see here.

1. The walk starts from the rough car parking at Crowcombe Park Gate. (From Crowcombe turn right up the very steep hill signposted Nether Stowey and arrive at the car park on the left.) With your back to the car park cross the road and follow the wide footpath down Rams Combe – keeping the fenced-in area to your right.

2. On reaching the woodland go through the gate and carry on ahead until you reach a fork in the road. Take the right fork and continue downwards. With the stream on your right, continue down the path ignoring any paths to the right until you reach a gate. Once through the gate take the right-hand path (you will see a ‘no entry’ marker for vehicles along this path). This path takes you above the picnic area. at Great Wood.

3. Continue past the public toilets and small car park until you reach a car park on your right just past Seven Wells Farm. Turn right through the car park, across the bridge and continue up Quantock Combe with a small stream on your right. Keep on ahead following the signpost to St. David’s Well ignoring the forestry road where it turns to the right. After about 45 metres you will reach the site of St Davids Well. Continue along the path for another 180 metres and take the stoney track on the left which rises steeply until reaching a tarmacked road.

4. Turn right and continue to take the path upwards keeping left at the signpost for Crowcombe Park Gate. Ignore the metal gate to the right and continue on until you reach a metal gate on the left adjacent to a gate marked ‘private’. Take the footpath through the gate and follow the field keeping the hedge on your right.

5. Continue down past the ancient beech trees and take the wooden gate further up the hill on the right-hand side. Turn sharp left and continue upwards with the hedge now on your left. At the top, you will join the drove walk.

6. Once through the gate turn right and follow the path to the main road. Cross over the main road and follow the bridle path to the top of the car park. The total distance for this walk is approximately 3.5 miles.

Compass points:

1. Easy parking

2. Following well-worn tracks

3. Toilets on the route

4. One steep incline

5. A blend of woodland and open space