Crowcombe to West Quantoxhead 13 October 2011

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October has so far been remarkably mild in West Somerset with less than average rainfall; good for walking.
The morning started misty and rather gloomy but I was hopeful that the mist would lift and that a walk on the Quantocks would be worthwhile.

Having decided where to go, I parked my car at Crowcombe village hall. The first part of the walk followed the same route as described in a previous post. However, when I cane to the boundary of the open access land, I took a path that headed north west and led to the Quantock ridge path at Halsway Post which marks the top of Halsway Combe. The mist had cleared by now but the sky was generally grey and visibility was not great. However, it was warm for mid-October and the wind was unusually light. In spite of the warm weather, the hills had a distinctly autumnal appearance. Although the trees were still generally green, the heather had finished flowering and the bracken had turned brown.

Lichen and Moss on a stunted hawthorn tree

The ridge path is easy walking with no steep slopes or difficult ground and I made good progress towards West Quantoxhead. Having passed Bicknoller Post and the head of Weacombe Combe, I reached the triangulation pillar on Beacon Hill and stopped for lunch.
Due to limited visibility, views from here were not as good as they can be but I managed to photograph a steam train leaving Williton.

The view to the west from Beacon Hill. A steam train is seen between Williton and Watchet on the West Somerset Railway

After my lunch break I continued past a forestry plantation. The path descended until it met the A39 road. Walking along this narrow, winding road lacking a pavement and verges would be decidedly unpleasant and dangerous so it is fortunate that there is a permissive path running parallel to the road in the direction of Williton. A permissive path is not a public right of way, but the landowner allows the route to be used by the public. This path diverges from the road sufficiently for the traffic noise not to be too unpleasant. On the seaward side of the A39 is St Audries Bay. Here there is a holiday park with static caravans, chalets and various facilities as well as access to the foreshore. Further towards Williton is St Audries church, north of the church and with no public access is St Audries Park. The manor house standing in the park is currently an up market wedding venue.

The roof of St Audries Manor

St Audries Church

On the outside of a sweeping bend in the road lies the Windmill Inn, a fairly large brick built pub.The Windmill serves a good variety of food and drink and walkers and cyclists are welcome. Families are also catered for.

Just to the west of the pub I left the A39 and took the lane that leads towards Weacombe. The road is lined by houses that enjoy an excellent view to the north west but must be exposed when the wind comes from that general direction. Where road turns sharply to the left, I continued straight on along Luckes Lane. This narrow, little used road took me back to Woolston Moor, from where I caught the bus back to Crowcombe.

The walk was just under 7 miles and took me about 3 hours.