SOMERTON STROLLS
UPDATE February 2025
Another uninspiring period of weather for the start of 2025! I've added another walk Stroll 16 - much of it is included in other walks, but it makes a pleasant walk and woodlands always add a bit of interest.
UPDATE September 2024
What an uninspiring summer. However, I have re-walked all of these walks this year, so hopefully they're fairly up to date
UPDATE April 2024
Well, what a wet winter period we have had here in Somerset! However, I've managed to get out and re-walk all of these 15 walks in the first part of 2024. There are a few minor changes and I have now mapped them on "Map my run" and made some changes to the text to ensure consistency. They are still a great series of walks, so get your boots on, have a stroll then call in to one of Somerton's terrific range of cafes, pubs and restaurants for a livener!
Martyn
April 28th 2024
UPDATE December 2022
All of the walks can be found in the sub-pages below the Somerton Strolls header.
The walks have all been regularly updated, most notably by David & Angela Locke, for which many thanks. The versions here are all updated as and when I find there are modifications to be made, but you may find some minor alterations as you walk - let me know if you do!
Unfortunately, the OS maps are no longer available from Stationery House. However a custom-made1:25000 map is available from Ordnance Survey for less than £20 https://shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/custom-made/
Such a map centred on Somerton would cover all of the walks in this section
I wrote this series of walks back in 2008 and here are my original "Author's Notes"
These walks will each take 2½ hours or so – maybe slightly less if you walk quickly or maybe a little longer if you amble or stop to admire some of the wonderful views. So, each can be accomplished in a half-day – a good enough reason to start in the morning and finish in time for lunch, or maybe have lunch first and then walk afterwards. Either way there are lots of good places to eat in Somerton. I chose the Half Moon car park as the starting point because parking there in many of the bays is unrestricted and it’s near my house! However, since they are circular walks, you could start or finish wherever you wish. The Ordnance Survey 1:25000 map would be useful and one centred on Somerton is available at Stationery House in the Market Place (see update below).
Some of the walks involve walking along 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 the feet dry except in extreme wet 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).
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 (hopefully) to ensure accuracy. Special thanks also to Becky Sanders at SSDC for help in setting up the publication of these walks, Somerton Tourism and Heritage Partnership for financial support and to Nancy Langmaid for her line drawings and general encouragement. 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!
Martyn Smith July 2008
Another uninspiring period of weather for the start of 2025! I've added another walk Stroll 16 - much of it is included in other walks, but it makes a pleasant walk and woodlands always add a bit of interest.
UPDATE September 2024
What an uninspiring summer. However, I have re-walked all of these walks this year, so hopefully they're fairly up to date
UPDATE April 2024
Well, what a wet winter period we have had here in Somerset! However, I've managed to get out and re-walk all of these 15 walks in the first part of 2024. There are a few minor changes and I have now mapped them on "Map my run" and made some changes to the text to ensure consistency. They are still a great series of walks, so get your boots on, have a stroll then call in to one of Somerton's terrific range of cafes, pubs and restaurants for a livener!
Martyn
April 28th 2024
UPDATE December 2022
All of the walks can be found in the sub-pages below the Somerton Strolls header.
The walks have all been regularly updated, most notably by David & Angela Locke, for which many thanks. The versions here are all updated as and when I find there are modifications to be made, but you may find some minor alterations as you walk - let me know if you do!
Unfortunately, the OS maps are no longer available from Stationery House. However a custom-made1:25000 map is available from Ordnance Survey for less than £20 https://shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/custom-made/
Such a map centred on Somerton would cover all of the walks in this section
I wrote this series of walks back in 2008 and here are my original "Author's Notes"
These walks will each take 2½ hours or so – maybe slightly less if you walk quickly or maybe a little longer if you amble or stop to admire some of the wonderful views. So, each can be accomplished in a half-day – a good enough reason to start in the morning and finish in time for lunch, or maybe have lunch first and then walk afterwards. Either way there are lots of good places to eat in Somerton. I chose the Half Moon car park as the starting point because parking there in many of the bays is unrestricted and it’s near my house! However, since they are circular walks, you could start or finish wherever you wish. The Ordnance Survey 1:25000 map would be useful and one centred on Somerton is available at Stationery House in the Market Place (see update below).
Some of the walks involve walking along 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 the feet dry except in extreme wet 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).
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 (hopefully) to ensure accuracy. Special thanks also to Becky Sanders at SSDC for help in setting up the publication of these walks, Somerton Tourism and Heritage Partnership for financial support and to Nancy Langmaid for her line drawings and general encouragement. 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!
Martyn Smith July 2008