New Footbridge, Westover
WALK 6
LANGPORT (WESTOVER)
The pretty villages of Drayton and Muchelney
Footpaths and tracks and a lovely riverside walk
Distance 9.5 Km/ 6.0 miles
Total ascent/descent 27m
www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/26460144
Updated August 2025 Comments to [email protected]
1 From the bus-stop (GR415 266) at Westover, head west (in the Taunton direction) over the bridge crossing the former Yeovil to Taunton railway line(1) and turn immediately L by the telegraph pole into Frog Lane (no sign, but there is a road sign with black and white chevrons on the L). Follow 800m passing a track on L and at second track on L follow as lane bears sharp R and pass small stone building with brick chimney [0.9Km]
2 (GR413 259) Cross a waymarked stile on the L (no sign) and follow a path 100m through a scrubby area and at the field, continue 70m with the hedge on the L. When the hedge swings sharp L pass under power line and bear slightly R across the field on clear path 200m aiming for the R of the plantation ahead. At the plantation, continue with the trees on L 200m to go through a gap in hedge by electricity pole. Bear slightly R to follow a clear path across the field 250m to R of another plantation. Go through the gap in the hedge and continue with trees on L. After 100m fork L through hedge gap and follow enclosed track for 80m then bear R through metal gate to emerge in field. Continue straight across the field 150m to R of barn, through a Bristol gate and follow track 150m to road. Go L 250m to junction at the centre of the pleasant village of Drayton [1.5Km]
3 (GR406 248) Go R 150m past church(2) then L into School Street and follow 650m to sharp R turn. Continue ahead (SP Midelney Manor) for 1Km to reach Midelney bridge over the river Isle(3)[1.9Km]
If time permits continue ahead 400m to view Midelney Manor(4).
4 (GR408 231) Go L along track (SP Parrett Trail ¾mile) just before bridge and follow for 1Km. Where track swings R to cross river by pumping station, continue ahead 100m and go through gate to join the Parrett Trail. Follow raised bank with river on R for 1.3Km to a derelict bridge of the former Yeovil to Taunton railway and follow 200m before rejoining the river then 300m to reach Westover bridge and road. Go L for 250m passing abutments of former bridge and after 50m turning very sharp R up track (SP Parrett Cycleway(5) to reach gate by cottage [3.2Km]
5 (GR423 248) At gate go L to follow cycleway for 1.6Km. At crossing track go R and after 30m go L along enclosed path for 250m to join road at modern stile. Go R and follow the road 200m through trading estate to main road and bus stop. That for Somerton & Yeovil is across the road [2.0Km]
FOR A SHORTER WALK Distance 5.9Km/3.7milesFollow to the end of point 2. Go L and follow the road for 1.9Km and just beyond the extensive farm buildings of Westover Farm, reach track on L SP Parrett Cycleway. Ascend to gate. This is point 5. Follow to the end.
For car travellers:
There is a small free Parrett Cycleway car park or careful on-street parking in the Westover Trading Estate.
Refreshments:
Café at Bow Wharf
Drayton Arms, Drayton
Cafés and Hotel in Langport centre
1 The Taunton-Yeovil railway line was built by the Bristol and Exeter Railway but was operated by the Great Western Railway. It opened in 1853 using broad gauge (7ft 0¼in) and converted to standard guage (4ft 8½in) in 1874. It closed to passenger traffic in 1964.
2 St Catherine's, Drayton, dates from the 15th century. The exterior is lias and hamstone. There is a 15th-century cross in the churchyard and a fine weather-vane.
3 River Isle rises in Combe St Nicholas and flows 22.5Km to join the river Parrett 1Km north east of the hamlet of Midelney
4 Midelney Manor was built in the late 16th century in two distinct halves by two brothers. It is Grade I listed.
5 The Parrett Cycleway opened in 1998 and is part of the National Cycle Network (NCN339)
2 (GR413 259) Cross a waymarked stile on the L (no sign) and follow a path 100m through a scrubby area and at the field, continue 70m with the hedge on the L. When the hedge swings sharp L pass under power line and bear slightly R across the field on clear path 200m aiming for the R of the plantation ahead. At the plantation, continue with the trees on L 200m to go through a gap in hedge by electricity pole. Bear slightly R to follow a clear path across the field 250m to R of another plantation. Go through the gap in the hedge and continue with trees on L. After 100m fork L through hedge gap and follow enclosed track for 80m then bear R through metal gate to emerge in field. Continue straight across the field 150m to R of barn, through a Bristol gate and follow track 150m to road. Go L 250m to junction at the centre of the pleasant village of Drayton [1.5Km]
3 (GR406 248) Go R 150m past church(2) then L into School Street and follow 650m to sharp R turn. Continue ahead (SP Midelney Manor) for 1Km to reach Midelney bridge over the river Isle(3)[1.9Km]
If time permits continue ahead 400m to view Midelney Manor(4).
4 (GR408 231) Go L along track (SP Parrett Trail ¾mile) just before bridge and follow for 1Km. Where track swings R to cross river by pumping station, continue ahead 100m and go through gate to join the Parrett Trail. Follow raised bank with river on R for 1.3Km to a derelict bridge of the former Yeovil to Taunton railway and follow 200m before rejoining the river then 300m to reach Westover bridge and road. Go L for 250m passing abutments of former bridge and after 50m turning very sharp R up track (SP Parrett Cycleway(5) to reach gate by cottage [3.2Km]
5 (GR423 248) At gate go L to follow cycleway for 1.6Km. At crossing track go R and after 30m go L along enclosed path for 250m to join road at modern stile. Go R and follow the road 200m through trading estate to main road and bus stop. That for Somerton & Yeovil is across the road [2.0Km]
FOR A SHORTER WALK Distance 5.9Km/3.7milesFollow to the end of point 2. Go L and follow the road for 1.9Km and just beyond the extensive farm buildings of Westover Farm, reach track on L SP Parrett Cycleway. Ascend to gate. This is point 5. Follow to the end.
For car travellers:
There is a small free Parrett Cycleway car park or careful on-street parking in the Westover Trading Estate.
Refreshments:
Café at Bow Wharf
Drayton Arms, Drayton
Cafés and Hotel in Langport centre
1 The Taunton-Yeovil railway line was built by the Bristol and Exeter Railway but was operated by the Great Western Railway. It opened in 1853 using broad gauge (7ft 0¼in) and converted to standard guage (4ft 8½in) in 1874. It closed to passenger traffic in 1964.
2 St Catherine's, Drayton, dates from the 15th century. The exterior is lias and hamstone. There is a 15th-century cross in the churchyard and a fine weather-vane.
3 River Isle rises in Combe St Nicholas and flows 22.5Km to join the river Parrett 1Km north east of the hamlet of Midelney
4 Midelney Manor was built in the late 16th century in two distinct halves by two brothers. It is Grade I listed.
5 The Parrett Cycleway opened in 1998 and is part of the National Cycle Network (NCN339)
