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Walking Holidays in the UK |
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Walking Holiday on the
Macmillan Way West
Via Barnstaple, Exmoor, the Quantock Hills, the Somerset Levels to Castle
Cary
9 nights, 8 days
Total Distance:
102 miles
Min/max daily distance:
10/18 miles
Average Daily distance:
13 miles
Grading:
easy/moderate
Features:
Exmoor
Quantock Hills
Exe Head
Dunster Castle
To start your UK walking holiday on the Macmillan Way West you make your own way to Barnstaple in Devon. We can assist with coach or train transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of your self-guided walking holiday.
At Barnstaple the trail intersects with the South West Coast Path and the Tarka Trail. Walking on from Barnstaple, a busy town with a fine range of shops and pubs, the trail follows the River Taw for a short way and then heads to a more rural scene of rolling farmland and small copses until you reach West Buckland.
Walking on from West Buckland the route follows the River Bray to Brayford, a small but charming hamlet. The Macmillan Way West enters The Exmoor National Park at this point and follows the Little Owl River for a short while, passing some Bronze Age Burial Mounds. Then you cross the River Barle onto open moorland. At Exe Head the trail crosses the Two Moors Way and then you make your way to Simonsbath in Somerset, one of Exmoor's Treasures.
This is the landscape that has made Exmoor popular with walkers for years. The trail joins the Tarka Trail for a short way before joining the River Exe. Along the banks of the River Exe is a great place to spot wildlife, perhaps a red deer or one of the many pheasants. The path heads up onto open moorland soon reaching Dunkery Beacon, a highlight of any walk on Exmoor, giving fine views on a clear day to Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor. On to Dunster with its famous castle and fine old shops and houses. The start (or end) of the South West Coast Path is a short distance away at Minehead.
Walking on from Dunster past the old watermill, the path enters a wooded area before leaving the Exmoor National Park at Withycombe. The landscape becomes more rolling farm land. The West Somerset Steam railway passes by the side of the route bringing back the elegant age of steam. Williton is a small village with a fine selection of shops and pubs, a steam railway and the Bakelite Museum.
On reaching Bicknoller the trail meets the Coleridge Way. From here the trail passes through The Quantock Hills, famous for grass covered slopes, red deer and ponies, a place of real beauty. The walk continues through quiet little hamlets and villages with a few shops and the odd inn.
Arriving in Bridgwater the trail leaves the Quantocks behind. The land becomes more flat and heralds the start of the Somerset levels.
Walking on, the trail soon crosses the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, one of Somerset's jewels, a haven for wildfowl. You are now walking on the Somerset Levels. After Fordgate the Macmillan Way West joins the River Parrett Trail all the way to Langport. The trail passes The Westonzoyland Pumping Station, now a working museum. Oath Lock marks the point where the River Parrett is no longer tidal. After Langport the trail leaves the River Parrett and joins the River Yeo.
Walking on from Long Sutton the trail heads towards Somerton, perhaps one of Somerset's finest small market towns with a good selection of inns, shops and fine buildings. The walk passes through a few small hamlets before joining the River Cary Valley. Castle Cary is an interesting little market town well worth spending some time exploring. In Castle Cary you can connect with The Leland Trail.
Depart after breakfast or extend your holiday and spend some time in the area.
We can transfer you to your car or station.
What's included
in your UK walking holiday
on the Macmillan Way West
- accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
- daily luggage transfer
- support should there be any problems on route
- detailed itineraries
- Macmillan Way guide book
Short walking breaks are also available, with 2 or 3 days walking. Just select the part of the path you want to walk.
The above distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too.
We have no minimum party size.
We pride ourselves on not cancelling holidays due to minimum numbers.
per person double occupancy
All prices subject to change
Optional Extras
for your UK Walking Holiday
on the Macmillan Way West
- upgrade to the region's most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
- transfers back to car or station
- parking facilities
- rest days
- inn to inn walks
By Car to Barnstaple or Castle Cary where parking is available
By Train / Bus to Barnstaple or Castle Cary
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Contact us for schedule and availability. Lines are open 9am to 9pm 7 days a week.  +44
(0)1837 880075or email us 2009 prices held for 2010 |
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