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 11.2 Km/6.8 miles
Total ascent/descent 122m
www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/32195290
Rewritten August 2023 Comments to [email protected]
1 From the bus-stop (GR259 247) walk 300m in the Taunton direction alongside the “Bus Only” lane past the pub opposite to reach large roundabout. Cross the A358 at the traffic lights and go L 100m then very sharp R along tarmac path (SP Public Footpath) to reach a gate. Follow hedge 1.2Km at first close to M5 but later veering away to reach road. Go R then 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 L with hedge on L for 250m to metal gate and road. (if gate a problem go 90 degrees R for 100m to pedestrian gate and back along road) [2.8Km]
2 (GR248 229) Go L 30m to junction, then R 300m and at bend cross waymarked stile on L and follow clear path across field. At hedge at far side, bear R 150m and when it bears L follow 250m. Just beyond hedge gap go R with hedge on R 120m to stile and road. Go L 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. Go L toward small wooden hut by tree. Cross race track, exit racecourse and head for Orchard Portman(2) church. Go R through metal squeeze and follow fence to woods and broad track to road. Cross, go over waymarked stile and follow winding track 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 ahead 100m towards wooden barn. Cross stream and go R through metal gate and after 70m go R & L to keep hedge on L. Just beyond the hedge gap at the end of the (600m long) second field, go L over small bridge and go ahead keeping meandering hedge on R. At top of field, go through the second metal gate on R and continue round field with hedge on R. At metal gate, go ahead along enclosed 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 across stile by metal gate with far reaching views. Continue bearing slightly L on clear path down field, with Henlade House(4) to the R. If in doubt keep close to hedge keeping it on R. After 700m at bottom of field enter enclosed path to reach road. Go L for 400m to L bend [1.4Km]
6 (GR267 236) Go R over small bridge and go L round field. Go through hedge gap, bear L 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 wooded area and ramp to roundabout. Go R 250m to traffic lights. The bus stop to Taunton is on R and that for Somerton is on L across road [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.