Orchard Portman Church
WALK 2
TAUNTON (BLACKBROOK)
Edge of the county town through hamlets and villages
Easy walking along tracks and lanes with one very steep climb
Distance 11.3 Km/6.8 miles
Total ascent/descent 123m
www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6398478619
Comments to [email protected] Updated April 2026
1 From the bus-stop (GR259 247) walk 80m in the Taunton direction to reach traffic lights. Cross with care using the pedestrian lights to reach the L side of the road marked “No entry except buses”. Follow bus lane 300m past the pub opposite to reach large roundabout and bear L to traffic lights. Cross the A358 at two sets of traffic lights and go L 80m then very sharp R along tarmac path (SP Public Footpath) 80m to gate. Follow broad grassy track 400m close to M5 along two fields to a pedestrian gate to reach open field. Continue 800m with hedge on R close to M5 but later veering away, to reach road. Go R then immediately L into lane (No Through Road) and follow 250m as it bears R then L and just beyond bridge over stream, go L through waymarked metal gate. Go ahead 400m with stream on L to wooden gate. Go ahead on broad grass track with hedge on L for 250m and just before metal gate go 90 degrees R still with hedge on L 100m to pedestrian gate. [2.8Km]
2 (GR247 230) Go straight across road and follow 100m on clear path to and through gate on R. Go L 20m then follow round field with hedge on L to go through another gate and follow path across field to a Bristol gate to road. Cross road to waymarked gate and bear slightly R to follow clear path across field. At hedge at far side, bear R for 150m and when hedge goes 90 degrees L follow 250m and just beyond hedge gap, go R with hedge on R 120m to gate and road. Cross and go L along verge 100m to junction then ahead (SP Corfe) [1.1Km]
3 (GR241 221) After 150m by Taunton Racecourse(1) car park, go L over waymarked stile then 90 degrees R aiming for two small brick buildings ahead. Just before brick buildings go 90 degrees L through white gate to cross to centre of racecourse then 90 degrees R for 250m to tall white observation tower opposite the stands. Go 90 degrees L between white railings toward small wooden hut by tree. Cross race track, exit racecourse and go straight ahead 100m on grass path with hedge on L to Orchard Portman(2) church. At church gate go R and follow broad grass track bearing sharp L then along enclosed track to reach tarmac track to road. Cross, go over waymarked stile and follow clear path 300m across field to cross bridge in L corner to reach road [1.4Km]
4 (GR248 217) Cross road, over stile and continue ahead 450m with stream on L. Do not cross bridge on L but continue towards wooden barn. Cross stream and go R through small metal gate and after 70m go R & L then keep hedge on L. After 200m cross to second field for 600m and through hedge gap. After 30m go L over small bridge and go ahead keeping meandering hedge on R. At top of field, go through small metal gate on R and continue round field with hedge on R. At metal gate, go ahead descending stony track to junction by village hall in Stoke St Mary. Go ahead (SP Henlade) 400m to junction near St Mary’s church(3). Go ahead and pass to L of Stoke House gate along bridleway. After 80m at waymark, go L climbing steeply through woods with wire fence on L. At top go L along enclosed path, cross stile to reach drive and go R 300m to road [2.9Km]
5 (GR271 226) Go L 150m then L through kissing gate along track 70m then R beside metal gate with far reaching views. Continue, at first with hedge on R to metal gate, then bearing slightly L on clear path 200m down field, with Henlade House(4) to the R. At bottom of slope go ahead with hedge on R 100m to gate. Go ahead 150m passing to L of pond and enter enclosed path to reach road. Go L 400m to L bend [1.4Km]
6 (GR267 236) Go R over small bridge and go L 110m round field. Go through hedge gap, bear L and continue with hedge on L 220m and at end of field go L over metal bridge. Go R keeping hedge on R to cross bridge, stile, bridge and stile and after 1Km reach a gate and ramp to roundabout. Go R 150m to traffic lights. The bus stop to Taunton is round to R and that for Somerton is on L across road in front of hotel [1.6Km]
For car travellers:
Use Gateway Park and Ride near M5 J25 (free)
Refreshments:
Miller and Carter, Blackbrook
The Half Moon, Stoke St Mary
1 Taunton Racecourse opened in 1927 and was the last new racecourse to in Great Britain until 2008. The track is built on the site of a 17th century mansion.
2 The Church of St Michael in Orchard Portman has Norman origins and was part of the former Portman family mansion. One of the de Orchard family married Walter Portman. The estate was sold to the Crown Commissioners in 1944
3 St Mary’s, built in the 13th century, is largely unchanged and is Grade II* listed. The tower is one of the few remaining 13th-century towers in the county.
4 Henlade House was built between 1805 and 1815, by an unidentified Italian architect for John Proctor Anderdon. It is Grade II* listed and is now a hotel.
