SOMERTON STROLLS SEQUEL
SAUNTERS, STROLLS, STRIDES & SLOGS
AUTHOR’S NOTES & GENERAL INFORMATION
ORIGINAL AUTHOR’S NOTES OCTOBER 2015
It’s quite a while now since “Somerton Strolls” was first launched and I am pleased that so many people bought a copy and helped to provide the Somerton Tourism and Heritage Partnership with funds, which have assisted with various projects and to help provide a local information centre. I also hope that purchasers made good use of the walks to help them keep fit!
I have researched and written this new series of walks, once again based on starting at the Half Moon car park although being circular you could start at any point on the route. Each route consists of four separate walks roughly of 5, 10, 15 and 20 kilometres, so hopefully there will be something for all - from a leisurely stroll to a half day expedition. Many of the paths used have been included previously, but by going further I have been able to incorporate some paths and even areas not used before. I have not included maps in this series of walks.The cost of using maps from OS is prohibitively expensive and personally I don’t like sketch maps. However, I have included the OS grid reference at salient points in each route to help. There is a very good “OS Select” map at 1:25000 scale centred on Somerton. Copies are available from Stationery House in the Market Place in Somerton and whilst it costs a little more than a standard OS Explorer map, all the walks are on the one sheet (see update below).
For each walk, I have accurately computed the distance and the total ascent using “Map my Run”. I’ve also included the URL of “Map my Run” where each walk is available to view in either street map or satellite map. Some of the walks involve walking along (or crossing) roads, some of which carry fast traffic and have no pavements, so do take care. Conventional wisdom suggests walking to face the oncoming traffic but on some occasions it may be prudent to disregard this - for example when approaching a bend or when walking with the sun behind you. Make sure that you can be seen easily by motorists and as early as possible!
Many of these routes will involve the possibility of muddy sections in the winter (or indeed any particularly wet spells!) and seasonal growth such as nettles and brambles in the summer. Generally, I tend to walk in shorts but with knee length socks and lightweight walking boots – I find those with a breathable membrane do tend to keep feet dry except in extreme conditions. Sometimes, I use walking sandals, which are ideal in dry conditions (as long as you don’t mind the odd nettle sting or scratch from brambles or treading in a cow pat!).
Thanks go to the group of friends with whom I walk most Sundays, for bearing with me whilst trying out the routes described – in order to ensure accuracy (hopefully). Thanks also to Somerton Tourism & Heritage Partnership for their support.
Last, but not least, thanks to my wife Sue, for the helpful (sometimes) suggestions and continuous coffee.
I do hope you enjoy these walks. If you have any comments, suggestions or corrections, do let me know by email [email protected]
UPDATE DECEMBER 2022
All of these routes have been updated since they were first written, but as ever, there will be ongoing alterations which I will try to keep up to date, especially if you can help by letting me know of any faults you find - either with the route directions or the gates, stiles, overgrowth etc you encounter on the walks: [email protected]
Unfortunately the Somerton centred OS maps are no longer available from Stationery House. However, custom-made maps are available from Ordnance Survey for less than £20
https://shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/custom-made/
It’s quite a while now since “Somerton Strolls” was first launched and I am pleased that so many people bought a copy and helped to provide the Somerton Tourism and Heritage Partnership with funds, which have assisted with various projects and to help provide a local information centre. I also hope that purchasers made good use of the walks to help them keep fit!
I have researched and written this new series of walks, once again based on starting at the Half Moon car park although being circular you could start at any point on the route. Each route consists of four separate walks roughly of 5, 10, 15 and 20 kilometres, so hopefully there will be something for all - from a leisurely stroll to a half day expedition. Many of the paths used have been included previously, but by going further I have been able to incorporate some paths and even areas not used before. I have not included maps in this series of walks.The cost of using maps from OS is prohibitively expensive and personally I don’t like sketch maps. However, I have included the OS grid reference at salient points in each route to help. There is a very good “OS Select” map at 1:25000 scale centred on Somerton. Copies are available from Stationery House in the Market Place in Somerton and whilst it costs a little more than a standard OS Explorer map, all the walks are on the one sheet (see update below).
For each walk, I have accurately computed the distance and the total ascent using “Map my Run”. I’ve also included the URL of “Map my Run” where each walk is available to view in either street map or satellite map. Some of the walks involve walking along (or crossing) roads, some of which carry fast traffic and have no pavements, so do take care. Conventional wisdom suggests walking to face the oncoming traffic but on some occasions it may be prudent to disregard this - for example when approaching a bend or when walking with the sun behind you. Make sure that you can be seen easily by motorists and as early as possible!
Many of these routes will involve the possibility of muddy sections in the winter (or indeed any particularly wet spells!) and seasonal growth such as nettles and brambles in the summer. Generally, I tend to walk in shorts but with knee length socks and lightweight walking boots – I find those with a breathable membrane do tend to keep feet dry except in extreme conditions. Sometimes, I use walking sandals, which are ideal in dry conditions (as long as you don’t mind the odd nettle sting or scratch from brambles or treading in a cow pat!).
Thanks go to the group of friends with whom I walk most Sundays, for bearing with me whilst trying out the routes described – in order to ensure accuracy (hopefully). Thanks also to Somerton Tourism & Heritage Partnership for their support.
Last, but not least, thanks to my wife Sue, for the helpful (sometimes) suggestions and continuous coffee.
I do hope you enjoy these walks. If you have any comments, suggestions or corrections, do let me know by email [email protected]
UPDATE DECEMBER 2022
All of these routes have been updated since they were first written, but as ever, there will be ongoing alterations which I will try to keep up to date, especially if you can help by letting me know of any faults you find - either with the route directions or the gates, stiles, overgrowth etc you encounter on the walks: [email protected]
Unfortunately the Somerton centred OS maps are no longer available from Stationery House. However, custom-made maps are available from Ordnance Survey for less than £20
https://shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/custom-made/
RIGHTS OF WAY
The County Council’s Responsibilities
The County Council (0300 123 2224) is the body responsible for keeping the legal record of Rights of Way up to date and to protect and assert the right of the public to use the network. Any faults or problems may be reported to the council by telephone, via its website www.somerset.gov.uk or to the appropriate Parish Paths Liaison Officer, whose name is obtainable from the clerk of the town or parish council concerned.
Farmers’/Landowners’ Responsibilities
Keep rights of way clear of blockages and overhanging vegetation.
Maintain stiles and gates across footpaths and bridleways (with the assistance of maintenance authorities).
Within 14 days, restore the surface of any cross-field footpath or bridleway that has been ploughed.
Not to plough any footpath or bridleway which constitutes a headland, ie field edge.
Not to allow barbed or electrified wire to cross through stiles, or run adjacent to rights of way.
Not to allow any prohibited bull or other aggressive animal in a field through which a right of way passes.
Not to erect misleading signs likely to deter use of rights of way.
Walkers’ Responsibilities
The Country Code : -
Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work.
Guard against all risk of fire.
Leave all gates as found.
Keep your dogs under close control.
Keep to public rights of way across farmland.
Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls.
Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone.
Take your litter home.
Help to keep all water clean.
Protect wildlife, plants and trees.
Take special care on country roads.
Make no unnecessary noise.
The County Council’s Responsibilities
The County Council (0300 123 2224) is the body responsible for keeping the legal record of Rights of Way up to date and to protect and assert the right of the public to use the network. Any faults or problems may be reported to the council by telephone, via its website www.somerset.gov.uk or to the appropriate Parish Paths Liaison Officer, whose name is obtainable from the clerk of the town or parish council concerned.
Farmers’/Landowners’ Responsibilities
Keep rights of way clear of blockages and overhanging vegetation.
Maintain stiles and gates across footpaths and bridleways (with the assistance of maintenance authorities).
Within 14 days, restore the surface of any cross-field footpath or bridleway that has been ploughed.
Not to plough any footpath or bridleway which constitutes a headland, ie field edge.
Not to allow barbed or electrified wire to cross through stiles, or run adjacent to rights of way.
Not to allow any prohibited bull or other aggressive animal in a field through which a right of way passes.
Not to erect misleading signs likely to deter use of rights of way.
Walkers’ Responsibilities
The Country Code : -
Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work.
Guard against all risk of fire.
Leave all gates as found.
Keep your dogs under close control.
Keep to public rights of way across farmland.
Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls.
Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone.
Take your litter home.
Help to keep all water clean.
Protect wildlife, plants and trees.
Take special care on country roads.
Make no unnecessary noise.