Axmcha one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Beautiful route and recommended apart from the places where the stiles and fields are overgrown. Be prepared and careful where you walk - especially in summer the vegetation and arable farming mean that it is sometimes hard to see where you are putting your feet! And be prepared for brambles and nettles, depending on the season. Most of the route was clear and pleasant, especially just outside Axminster along the river. The pub in Chardstock has been closed for some time, but I was told there was another one a little distance off the route, which I didn't visit. On passing a farm I had trouble with a savage barking dog, but luckily the owner was about to control it.

We walked from Crewkerne to Axminster, and this route worked perfectly. I'd certainly recommended it!.

I really enjoyed this route and have nothing to add to the earlier reviews... other than the advice to take a stick or some secateurs to cut back the nettles that a blocking the path in a few pinch points. It should not put you off - just come prepared!

I'd 100% enjoy walking this route again.

Photos to come.

An enjoyable fairly easy 8 mile walk, that is largely within the Blackdown Hills AONB. There is a fair bit of lane walking, but the lanes were very quiet. In fact the whole walk was quiet, very little traffic or people noise once outside the towns of Chard and Axminster.
The footpaths cross farmland, both arable and pasture. A local told me that they can get very boggy in the Alston area, but the ground was dry and firm when I walked.
In places there are fantastic views, especially overlooking Chard and Axminster. The route goes through a couple of villages, and in Chardstock there is a pub.
My only gripe is that the footpaths across some fields were planted with crops. In my case most of the crops had been harvested, so I marched straight across. There was one field where that wasn't possible, and I walked round the edge which was a bit overgrown. I don't mind going round the edge, but I want a path where I don't get scratched to bits!.

Ideal route, a mixture of footpaths and easy walking on Country lanes. Advisable to have some secateurs with you as some of the stiles and gates were overgrown. Just outside Axminster there is a footbridge down, make sure you follow the Slow Ways route on the map as a detour is shown. A couple of fields before Porch Farm it was hard to find the stile, this is now a bit further along the hedgerow. At the time of walking some crops were high and no clear path cut through, it was easier to walk around the fields. At Sisterhood Farm, the Slow Ways route deviates from the main right of way and skirts down and around the farm buildings. The route from Axminster to Chardstock provides some glorious views and varied terrain. From Chardstock to Chard the route is nearly all country lanes. If you prefer not to walk along the roadway, you have a good map and the weather is good, then the route continuing straight on from Chardstock Church via Burridge common into Chard is a nice walk. You can rejoin the Slow Ways route at Bounds lane and enjoy the fantastic views over Chard.

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