Chailm one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Chailm here.

I walked from Ilminster to Chard and enjoyed this short walk. It's slightly longer than than ChaIlm2 and is harder to navigate as it crosses farmland, and uses tracks and lanes.
I found the first field out of Ilminster a bit tricky. There were crops planted across the path where the map said it should be, but there is a path around the edge. However, it was becoming overgrown with thistles and nettles. I was glad I didn't have bare skin.
There were a lot of fields to walk through, but the first one was the worst.
There is a small plotting error just after Coldharbour Farm. The route makes it look like you can merge onto the Stop Line, a disused railway, but you have to cross the bridge then turn right and right again to get to the line.
There are 2 sections of this route that use the Stop Line, which is a shared cycle/footpath. After Donyatt the route heads off across farmland again, and Dunpole Farm was the first place where the views opened up. At other times of the year, there are probably more views, but at the moment the fields are planted with corn, and it's really tall right now. Even Richard Osman wouldn't be able to see over it.
There is a short section of road walking, but there is a verge if you need it, and it's over quickly so it didn't bother me.
This walk has been flagged for access and safety, but I thought it was fine. I expect the fields are hard work in the winter and after wet weather, but if so ChaIlm2 is perfect.

Route follows a mix of farmland paths and permissive access along the old Ilminster to Chard railway line. Easily followed, but map will be required. Long sections of tarmac as well as paths over farmland, which can be muddy. Stiles, field gates, kissing gates and cattle grids all present.

This is an interesting route, as it moves between footpaths across farmland, minor roads and the old railway line between Chard and Ilminster. What's interesting is that there is a more direct route following this old railway line for the whole length, that is part of SusTrans route 33. The path is firm and has interpretation panels for many Word War 2 anti-tank defences along the route, part of the Taunton Stop Line to prevent Nazi invasion along the south west peninsula. I couldn't unfortunately add this better route to the Slow Ways website.

The currently mapped route is clearly marked along it's length and so easy to follow. A map is still pretty essential, however. It generally stays away from roads, uses farm tracks on several occasions and crosses arable as well as pasture land.

Both Ilminster and Chard are local market towns and, as such, have a range of places to buy food, sit in to eat and accommodation. Both are moderately served by buses (mostly Taunton to Axminster).

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