Have you eaten too much turkey, mince pies, Christmas cake, and

other delicious treats over Christmas and now feeling the need to

walk it off? The bus is a great way to explore the beautiful countryside

in Somerset and can help you exercise.

We have put together a walks across Somerset accessiblie by bus.

 

These walks only scratches the surface. Armed with an ordinance

survey map (whether paper map or via your phone) and bus timetable

(preferably on a smart phone – because then you can usually see

geographically how close you are to a bus on Bus Times map, using

the map tracking facility on https://bustimes.org ) there are unlimited

bus/walking possibilities.

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We would like to expand this section so if you have a walk that can be

accessed by bus we would very much like to add it to our page, please

contact us. 

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SOUTH SOMERSET

 

 

Compton Dundon Circular
 

To reach Compton Dundon, take the 77 bus operated by First West of England and got off at the main stop in the village, Ham Lane/War Memorial. From here you follow Ham Lane and after some time you will see a footpath heading off to the left in a diagonal direction crossing a wide open field. You follow this footpath as it crosses through a farm and then through a tunnel of trees. The path starts to slope upwards and you keep walking until you get to a wider path where you turn left and are greeted with a gate and a small bit of information about Dundon Beacon.

After a short climb, you will see a very steep permissive path which will take you up to the top of the Somerset Wildlife Trust run Dundon Beacon Nature Reserve. 

To quote from the Somerset Wildlife Trust’s website, this is… “A mosaic of calcareous grassland, scrub, ancient oak woodland, secondary woodland and conifer plantation. The top of Dundon Hill features significant archaeological remains with a hill fort, Bronze Age round barrow and ancient quarry…”

The Trust is in the process of creating a balance of ancient oak woodland combined with managed coppice and restored grass downland. And I have to say it is a fabulous place…

The hilltop is dominated by the an Iron Age fort and hilltop settlement, and a tumulus where a kneeling skeleton was excavated in the early 19th century. At one time Dundon Beacon was part of a communication chain linking other beacon hills at Ilminster, Shepton Mallet and the Mendips.

So, after taking a turn around the historic and wildlife rich hilltop we made our descent down another steep path which took us to the public right of way that runs east to west from the main village of Compton Dundon to the school and the church at Dundon. 

You could turn right here if you wished so that you could visit the Castlebrook Inn down on the main road, or walk up a second hill called Lollover.

 

As you walk back down Dundon Beacon, you get to a small car park with a small school adjacent. You continue to walk along a tarmac road until you hit a larger road called Peak Lane. Straight ahead, you will see a public footpath ascends away from the village in a westerly direction to climb magnificent Lollover Hill. At just under 100 metres, this might not be a mountain, but Lollover really does have that sense of being magnificent because it rises so steeply, straight out of the dead flat Levels. A wondrous fact which you will be able to enjoy once you’ve climbed to the trig-point at the summit.

Strange name, by the way… Some locals believe Lollover comes from ‘Look Over’ referring to the fact that locals went up the hill to watch the 1685 Battle of Sedgemoor which so infamously and bloodily took place about eight miles away across the Levels. 

The hilltop is overseen by English Heritage as a nature reserve which helps preserve the traditional hillside farming techniques (lynchets) and the wild orchids which grow around the steep flanks. Not that we saw any during our warm and sunny walk a couple of weeks ago - it was February, after all. 

There are many vantage point around the Somerset Levels, but the top of Lollover has to be one of the best there is. The flat green ocean seems to spread forever into the haze, but you will see the distant Quantock Hills far to the west and I’m told you can spy Hinkley Point nuclear power station, although why you’d want to do such a thing I can’t imagine. 

After you’ve been suitably wowed by the views, carry on along the footpath which descends as it heads west boards Bartletts Farm. Before it gets there the path veers to the left and now head south towards the large sheds of Upper Hayes Farm, but before it reaches this busy looking place there’s a chance to turn left again and now head back east towards the village along a track which traverses the lower flanks of Lollover. 

There’s no phone reception in the area of Compton Dundon next to the main road so prepare your directions beforehand. Wether that’s a paper map, or a downloaded version of Google/Apple Maps.

 

BY BUS: First West 77 bus (Monday to Saturday). Timetable: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/maps/77_77A_Yeovil_v2_0.pdf

Nearest bus stop: Ham Lane / War Memorial (Compton Dundon)

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Templecombe to Horsington

 

Going north, past the new Slades Hill housing estate, turn off the road before climbing the hill out of Templecombe and go through a gate. Follow the hedge up the sloping field, keeping left. This bit of path isn’t on the OS map but it is sign-posted. At the top of the hill (100 yards or so) you can see Horsington church and the path leading to it across the 2 fields (sometimes with friendly cows). Cross the fields and follow the old path by the church into Horsington. To reach the Horsington bus stop, head to Duck Lane (Horsington) then turn left up the lane to the main road (A357). Catch the Buses of Somerset 58 bus from Mill Cottage bus stop. About 45 mins.

 

BY BUS

Buses of Somerset (Monday – Saturday) Timetable: https://bustimes.org/services/58-yeovil-sherborne-wincanton

Start of walk: Nearest bus stop: Station Road (Templecombe)

Nearest bus stop: Mill Cottage (Horsington)
 

 

 

 

Templecombe to South Cheriton.

 

Going north, past the new Slades Hill housing estate, turn off the road before climbing the hill out of Templecombe and go through a gate. Follow the hedge up the sloping field, keeping left. This bit of path isn’t on the OS map but it is sign-posted. At the top of the hill (100 yards or so) you can see Horsington church and the path leading to it across the 2 fields (sometimes with friendly cows). Cross the fields and follow the old path by the church into Horsington.

 

Carry on northwards through Horsington along Lower Road, past the village hall and school etc, eventually to Cheriton White Horse pub (usually open Thursday and Friday lunchtimes, maybe earlier, but check first).
 

About 1 hour 15min

 

BY BUS

Buses of Somerset (Monday – Saturday) Timetable: https://bustimes.org/services/58-yeovil-sherborne-wincanton

Start of walk: Nearest bus stop: Station Road (Templecombe)

Nearest bus stop: White Horse Inn (Cheriton)

 

 

 

 

Templecombe to Henstridge

From Templecombe walk down Temple Lane (going east, towards Buckhorn Weston) 300 yards or so and turn right (south east) into a footpath which continues to Henstridge, running parallel with the main road (which is no fun to walk on, so avoid it). About 1 hour.

 

Bus back from Henstridge. The Virginia Ash pub has fairly broad-minded opening hours if there’s a long wait for a bus. The Bird in Hand, further into Henstridge, is a more traditional pub.

BY BUS

Buses of Somerset (Monday – Saturday) Timetable: https://bustimes.org/services/58-yeovil-sherborne-wincanton

Start of walk: Nearest bus stop: Station Road (Templecombe)

Nearest bus stop: Various

Near The Bird in Hand: Blackmore Lane (Henstridge)

Near The Virginia Ash: Virginia Ash or Village Hall (Henstridge)

 

 

 

 

Templecombe to Milborne Port.

From Templecombe walk westwards, along Bowden Road, past Newleaze Farm, Bowden House, a couple of sharp left and right turns, through Henstridge Bowden (small community - a farm and half a dozen houses) keep going, you’ll meet horses probably, along the ridge with great views overlooking Milborne Port, or else if it’s ok underfoot go down the Old Bowden Way the other side of the solar panel farm. Either way end up in Milborne Port. About an hour and a half.

After your walk why not drop into the Tipping Philosopher for a drink or we would recommend their breakfast (excellent)  which is not far from the bus stop.

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BY BUS

Buses of Somerset (Monday – Saturday) Timetable: https://bustimes.org/services/58-yeovil-sherborne-wincanton

Start of walk: Nearest bus stop: Station Road (Templecombe)

Nearest bus stop: Queens Head (Henstridge)
 

 

 

 

The Newt, near Castle Cary
 

The Newt in Somerset is a working country estate with acres of farmland, woodland, orchards and gardens. The gardens are open daily for visitors to explore and enjoy our restaurants, farm shops, Cyder Cellar and The Story of Gardening experience. 

 

​For more information: https://thenewtinsomerset.com/

BY BUS

South West Coaches 667 service. You might be able to ask the driver to drop you outside The Newt otherwise nearest bus stop is a short walk away at Shepton Montague The Montague Inn.

Timetable (Monday - Saturday): https://images.southwestcoaches.co.uk/images/pdfs/service667sept2020-public.pdf

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MENDIP
 

Mells Walks

If you plan to walk around Wells and on some of the footpaths it’s worth downloading the Ordinance Survey app in advance or buying a local map.

There are some lovely walks through Mells especially around the Mells Estate via a bridle path. You can walk along the Mells River and see a small waterfall. Only a short way down the path are some ruins of Fussell’s old iron works (https://www2.bgs.ac.uk/.../Industrial.../fussells.html ). While some of these are now out of bounds many of the old works can still be explored.

After all that exercise you might be ready for something else to eat. You can eat at the Mells Café. Our you could go to The Talbot Inn (https://www.talbotinn.com/) – a stylish 15th century former coaching inn or grab a bite to eat at The Walled Garden Cafe (https://www.thewalledgardenatmells.co.uk/cafe ). The Walled Garden Cafe offers a good selection of pizzas (cooked in a wood-fired oven), sandwiches, salads and other light bites. This is a plant nursery, so there are plenty of great things to look at and buy.

By Bus 

Libra Travel's 184 (Monday - Friday) Timetable: https://www.libratravel.co.uk/

Nearest bus stop: Gay Street (Mells) 

 

 

 

Walks via the First Bus D2 route 

Midford to Bath: Full walk information can be downloaded here: https://www.rodevillage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Original-size-BUS-WALKS.pdf

Nearest bus stop: Hope and Anchor (Midford)

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Norton ST Philip to Hinton Charterhouse: https://www.rodevillage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Norton-to-Hinton-Walk-3-fold-1-1.pdf

Nearest bus stop: Fleur De Lis / The George Inn (Norton ST Philip)

Circular Walk around Norton St Philip: https://www.rodevillage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Circum-Walk-around-NSP-3-fold-1.pdf

Nearest bus stop: Fleur De Lis / The George Inn (Norton ST Philip)

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Walk around Norton ST Philip: https://www.rodevillage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Norton-to-Mount-Pleasant-Hassage-Baggeridge-Walk-3-fold-1.pdf

Nearest bus stop: Fleur De Lis / The George Inn (Norton ST Philip)

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By Bus

First West D2. Timetable (Monday to Sunday including evenings): https://www.firstbus.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/maps/D2_D2x--A4_Timetable_Bath_Web%20%281%29_0.pdf

 

 

 

Walks accessible by the First Bus D2 & Faresaver X34
 

Walk around Rode village: https://www.rodevillage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/A-walk-around-Rode.pdf

Nearest bus stop: Rode Baptist Church

Rode to Frome walk: https://www.rodevillage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Original-size-BUS-WALKS.pdf
Nearest bus stop: Rode Baptist Church

By Bus

First West D2. Timetable (Monday to Sunday including evenings):  https://www.firstbus.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/maps/D2_D2x--A4_Timetable_Bath_Web%20%281%29_0.pdf

Faresaver Buses: x34 (Monday - Saturday). Timetable: https://www.faresaver.co.uk/timetables/64f567bf680df.pdf

 

 

 

Royal Victoria Park, Bath

 

Just a short walk from the Bath city centre is this beautiful area of 57 acres. There are masses of open space for family games ou may well see hot air balloons launching early morning and evening. It’s also home to beautiful botanic gardens, a fantastic adventure playground for kids, mini golf, tennis courts and more. Plus you can see the magnificent Royal Crescent.
 

Website: Royal Victoria Park

 

By Bus:

First West: Take the 173, 174, D2 to Bath then either walk or catch the bus 4, 4a, 4b, 21, 39 and X39 all stop right outside.

 

 

 

Other walks in Bristol and Bath area

 

First Bus have a series of walks on their website but mainly accessible from the Bristol area: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/bristol-bath-and-west/plan-journey/bus-walks

 

 

 

SEDGEMOOR
 

Walks along the NEW 126 bus route

 

Sandford to Cheddar along The Straweberry Line
 

The Strawberry Line takes its name from the delicious cargo this former railway line carried from the strawberry fields of Cheddar.

The line was well used for nearly a century until its closure in 1965 and since then a wealth of wildlife habitats have been allowed to flourish.
 

Volunteers from the Cheddar Valley Railway Walk Society began converting the line into a walking and cycling route in 1983.

 

If you catch the First Bus 126 to Sandford you can walk along the Strawberry Line to Cheddar a 5.4 mile route and pick up the 126 in Cheddar. 

At Sandford to access The Strawberry Line you have a short walk to Hapil Close near the old Railway Station at Sandford where you can start your walk from. The path passes through wooded valleys, thourgh tunnels under the the Mendip hills and into historic Axbridge. At Cheddar we think that the Strawberry Line will finish near Travis Perkins, Valley Line Industrial Park, Cheddar BS27 3EE. The nearest bus stop is The Kings of Wessex on Station Road or Union Street or Church Street (for the 126). For location inforamtion: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Travis+Perkins/@51.2753741,-2.7831298,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x48721dd3a5171135:0x94c0514ada6c5c48!8m2!3d51.2754211!4d-2.78512!16s%2Fg%2F1tdqgy5r?entry=ttu

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By Bus:

First West:  First Bus 126 (Monday to Saturday). Timetable: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/maps/126%20map%20and%20timetable.pdf

Nearest bus stop: Mead Lane (Sandford)

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