Hemwel one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I caught one of the five buses a day from Taunton to Hemyock and walked back, via Wellington. The route out of the village was pleasant, with an interesting boardwalk path over the River Culm above the height of the road and of a possibly flooded river! Part of the fenced path could act as a gate into the field for use by the farmer. Then there was a steep path up through a couple of fields, with a nice view back to the village. Before reaching the road there was mud, a narrow bridge and two stiles.
After a short mostly quiet road section, I turned off onto a footpath (slightly rerouted by the landowner but very easy to follow) and on through lovely woodland and fields, with fading bluebells and good views.
It was not fun walking the 450m or 500yds along the road at the top (bends, no verge, drivers going a bit too fast) and the stile entrance to the next footpath was quite difficult to spot in the hedge.
The field path up to the monument had a herd of feisty young Friesians who came running over, so I made a quick escape into the woods on the other side of a barbed wire fence. This was an okay place to be, it was part of the National Trust land surrounding the Wellington Monument. I just wish there was easy access to it on foot so you don’t have to pass scary cars and scary cows!
I could see the official Slow Way route along the edge of the field, and where it exited, so I’m happy to verify the route.
I found the monument itself to be a disappointment. The structure itself is impressive, but there was absolutely no view except of trees! No idea why they have a toposcope there! Apparently, you can book, for £5, to go up the spiral staircase inside it to see the view, on Saturday, Sunday or Monday 10-4.
There was a steep path down the other side of the hill with a bench at about 60% through the route, down a rustic staircase, then down through woods, fields, a farm track, more fields, and a tunnel under the surprisingly quiet motorway, with narrow cycle barriers at either end. There were more arable and meadow fields the other side, where there was a good view back to the monument.
At the end of the fields was the busy A38. There was a stile straight out onto the road, which had no pavement, but there was also a path along the bottom of the field leading to another exit, which was opposite the footpath into Wellington. This was the way to go; the road was dangerous. You still had to cross it, but not walk along it.
The alleyways through the housing were a good off-road route in to the centre of Wellington.
Mostly a very good route.

I walked this starting at Wellington. Like others, I found this a good route.

Pity that the trees have grown around the Wellington monument blocking the views. I was hoping for a wide view.

Great walk in the Blackdown Hills AONB, mostly through quiet countryside. I walked from Wellington to Hemyock, and once out of town the Wellington Monument is visible most of the time. I expected the noise from the M5 to dominate the beginning of the walk, but it wasn't too bad, even when walking underneath it.
The climb up to the Monument is steep and wooded, so you don't see the Monument until almost at the top. As you reach the bottom of a flight of steps it suddenly looms over you. The views from up there are fantastic, and probably even better in the winter when the foliage from the trees has gone.
From the Monument to Hemyock the route is often through quiet woodland. I didn't see any people, but a deer ran past me. When the route opens out the views are brilliant across the Culm Valley.
There is a short section of road walking, but it wasn't busy and felt safe to me. The lanes on the route are quiet, I didn't come across any traffic on them.
There are places to eat, drink and shop at both ends, but nothing in the middle.
I really enjoyed this walk, and would definitely recommend. The paths were in good condition and easy to find and follow. There were good views throughout, and it was so peaceful despite crossing the M5.

An excellent route over the Blackdowns. Uses paved roads in Hemyock. A little on unpaved but slow roads at Millhayes before a path uphill. The road xfsections after this if travelling toward Wellington are narrow and quiet. Before going onto an excellent path through the woods toward Monument farm. Care is needed on this section to the footpath to the monument as traffic can be fast on this unpaved - but wide road. The path down to Wellington is good and easy to follow. In wellington there is a great enclosed path going through the residential area into the town centre.

A scenic and enjoyable route up and over the Blackdown Hills. The route surfaces include fields, tracks, pavements and road sides. Some of the route on the day included a small boggy section and there was a dark and unlit underpass under the M5, fine by daylight.

Hemyock had a couple of short stretches walking on the road, which were ok. There was a longer section along the top of the Blackdowns on a busy stretch with fast moving traffic and nowhere to walk on the verge. It would be good to investigate to find an alternative route for this section as this did not feel particularly safe.

There are many stiles and as the photo shows many of the stiles had a grippy metal plate to avoid slipping. This route would not be suitable for push chairs or other wheeled transport. Some of the stiles and gates could be negotiated by small dogs either being carried over or by going underneath or round stiles. Probably not possible for larger dogs.

The route was accurately displayed and direct. Navigation was fairly easy; well way marked on the whole. GPX was helpful once or twice when crossing fields.

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