Bistau two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 75.00% of reviewers

I walked this route from Taunton to Bishops Lidyeard. I found it to be pleasant easy walking. The way out of Taunton is pretty much traffic free once off Bridge Street. But even this from the start on North Street is paved on both sides as it passes through the main shopping area. There are then enclosed pathways which take you out onto Staplegrove Road, which is again paved. There is a short section at the top end of Staplegrove Road where if coming from Taunton direction before getting to the junction with Manor Road turn left through the Children's play area and diagonally across on to Manor Road. This avoids a section of Manor Road - which can be quite busy - that is unpaved. From the park gate on Manor Road the pavement starts. The route then follows the West Deane Way across fields and is well signed. At Langford Lane it leaves this Way and crosses over onto paths which are less well signed - although there are plenty of stiles indicating the way. The route deviates slightly from that shown on the map at Higher Yarde Farm and leaves the field north of the farmhouse being slightly west of the path shown on the map and gpx. It is however a well trodden route and easy to follow, From the opposite direction it is not such an issue as it is signed. Closer to Bishops Lidyeard many of the fields are growing corn. When I walked it in mid August this was about 8 feet high so seeing the route was not so easy. Generally after Grove farm and a right turn at ST 19138 28846 follow the field boundary hedge round to the left and keep the hedge boundary on the right hand side, until you pass through Portman Farm. The route in and out of Bishops Lidyeard is then straight forward.

I walked this route from Taunton to Bishops Lidyeard. I found it to be pleasant easy walking. The way out of Taunton is pretty much traffic free once off Bridge Street. But even this from the start on North Street is paved on both sides as it passes through the main shopping area. There are then enclosed pathways which take you out onto Staplegrove Road, which is again paved. There is a short section at the top end of Staplegrove Road where if coming from Taunton direction before getting to the junction with Manor Road turn left through the Children's play area and diagonally across on to Manor Road. This avoids a section of Manor Road - which can be quite busy - that is unpaved. From the park gate on Manor Road the pavement starts. The route then follows the West Deane Way across fields and is well signed. At Langford Lane it leaves this Way and crosses over onto paths which are less well signed - although there are plenty of stiles indicating the way. The route deviates slightly from that shown on the map at Higher Yarde Farm and leaves the field north of the farmhouse being slightly west of the path shown on the map and gpx. It is however a well trodden route and easy to follow, From the opposite direction it is not such an issue as it is signed. Closer to Bishops Lidyeard many of the fields are growing corn. When I walked it in mid August this was about 8 feet high so seeing the route was not so easy. Generally after Grove farm and a right turn at ST 19138 28846 follow the field boundary hedge round to the left and keep the hedge boundary on the right hand side, until you pass through Portman Farm. The route in and out of Bishops Lidyeard is then straight forward.

I walked from Bishops Lydeard to Taunton and enjoyed the route. It mostly uses quiet lanes and footpaths across open farmland which is a mixture of arable and pasture. Expect livestock. I also met the dogs the first reviewer mentioned, at Portman Farm.
There are some sections in Taunton on pavements beside busy roads, but a lot of the route in to town is traffic free.
There are 2 small diversions. The first is leaving Bishops Lydeard. You now have to go right to the end of Quantock View and then turn left along a narrow path to pick up the footpath. Coming from Taunton you can't go wrong, but if you try to follow an OS map the other way, you will come to a dead end.
The second diversion is the field between Higher Yarde Farm and Burlands Farm. The map shows the footpath as going diagonally across, but when I walked it, the field was full of long grass, but with a well used path along the field edge.

Pleasant route mostly on footpaths and through fields. Flat with great views to the hills.
Some of the fields can be a bit difficult to navigate. I would imagine this could get muddy in the winter.
The 28 bus will take you back to your start point.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.