ChardIlminster

Chailm two
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

By PhilthyOne on 30 Nov 2021


Distance

9km/6mi

Ascent

95m

Descent

28m

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Description

This route follows an extremely straightforward route from Ilminster to Chard using the old railway line that used to run between them. The route forms part of SusTrans route 33 and takes in many World War 2 defences forming part of the Taunton Stop Line. The Stop Line was a continuous emplacement of tank traps, barriers and pill boxes in case of a Nazi invasion up along the south west peninsula of England.

The path is firm, largely tarmac, although it can be rough and muddy in places. The route is easy to follow, although there are a few diverging, almost parallel, paths in places to keep an eye on navigation. It is well walked by dog walkers, so there is very often someone to ask if unsure. It is lit at both ends for a short distance near the towns, but not along it's length. The route is usually completely clear, however there are a few gates along the way that can be closed across the path to allow farm access, in whcih case you will need to use the cattle grid protected access alongside. At least one of these gates only has a tall metal narrow cycle access structure with limited width. Having said that, I have never seen the gates across the path in many years.

The path moves through wooded areas, deep cuttings and beside farmland, with a highlight being the Chard sewage treatment plant halfway long! There are excellent interpretation panels for the World War 2 defences at points along the route and also a wildlife interpretation panel.

Both towns of Ilminster and Chard have local amenities including food and accomodation, although public transport is limited. There is a (fairly) regular bus route between Axmoinster and Taunton that serves both

This route follows an extremely straightforward route from Ilminster to Chard using the old railway line that used to run between them. The route forms part of SusTrans route 33 and takes in many World War 2 defences forming part of the Taunton Stop Line. The Stop Line was a continuous emplacement of tank traps, barriers and pill boxes in case of a Nazi invasion up along the south west peninsula of England.

The path is firm, largely tarmac, although it can be rough and muddy in places. The route is easy to follow, although there are a few diverging, almost parallel, paths in places to keep an eye on navigation. It is well walked by dog walkers, so there is very often someone to ask if unsure. It is lit at both ends for a short distance near the towns, but not along it's length. The route is usually completely clear, however there are a few gates along the way that can be closed across the path to allow farm access, in whcih case you will need to use the cattle grid protected access alongside. At least one of these gates only has a tall metal narrow cycle access structure with limited width. Having said that, I have never seen the gates across the path in many years.

The path moves through wooded areas, deep cuttings and beside farmland, with a highlight being the Chard sewage treatment plant halfway long! There are excellent interpretation panels for the World War 2 defences at points along the route and also a wildlife interpretation panel.

Both towns of Ilminster and Chard have local amenities including food and accomodation, although public transport is limited. There is a (fairly) regular bus route between Axmoinster and Taunton that serves both

Status

This route has been reviewed by 3 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Chailm two

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Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 3

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (3)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 2

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 1Y based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 1: Entirely smooth and compacted surfaces.
Access grade Y: Stile, step and obstacle free.
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Not present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Not present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Not present at time of survey Very slippery (1)
Not present at time of survey Very muddy (1)
Maybe present Very icy (1)
Maybe present Likely to flood (1)
Not present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Not present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Not present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Not present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Not present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Walking on paths beside roads (0)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Not present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Not present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Maybe present Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

Narrowest part of path: no data

The steepest uphill gradient East: no data

The steepest uphill gradient West: no data

The steepest camber: no data

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Clear (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Present at time of survey Small Labrador-sized dog (1)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Present at time of survey Small Labrador-sized dog (1)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

There is no data on how much of this route is on roads

There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night

100.0% of the route is paved (1)

There is no data on muddiness

There is no data on rough ground

There is no data on long grass

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1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

1Y January 2023 by Helen Gough
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Chard
Grid Ref ST3223208587
Lat / Lon 50.87278° / -2.96450°
Easting / Northing 332,232E / 108,587N
What3Words honeybees.joined.verifying
Ilminster
Grid Ref ST3613814539
Lat / Lon 50.92675° / -2.91004°
Easting / Northing 336,138E / 114,539N
What3Words extensive.compiled.clearcut

Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.

reviews


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Overall ratings

3 reviews


3 reviews

0 reviews

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Other Routes for Chard—Ilminster See all Slow Ways

Chard—Ilminster

Chailm one

Distance

10km/6mi

Ascent

115 m

Descent

51 m

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