Watbri one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Watbri here.

Some of this Slow Way is great, but it is impossible to navigate between Cannington and Nether Stowey, where the on-the ground-access is bafflingly different from the footpaths shown on the map (as the previous reviewer pointed out) and I think that the road crossing on the corner of the A39 at Winrush near Kilve is potentially dangerous when approached from the south, so I am flagging the route additionally for safety. The good news is that I have been hard at work researching an alternative version, which I will soon share.

The walk starts in the coastal tourist town of Watchet which has shops, pubs and is served every ½ hour by the No 28 bus from Taunton. The walk starts out past the marina and down onto the rock and sand beach at Helwell Bay. At high tide it is not safe to use this route but the alternative is along a busy narrow road with no footpath so it is worth checking the tide times before starting out. At Doniford there is a nice cafe (Doniford Farm Park) and the route continues along the well signed South West Coast path and around the Holiday park onto the cliff tops. The path follows the cliff tops (which are slowly falling into the Bristol Channel) then there is a steep path (with hand rail) back onto the beach at the next Holiday Park. The beach is again rocky, with a couple of drop-off sections. These did have metal steps but one set was missing. However, it is not difficult to scramble down. Ignore the next set of steps leading off the beach. These are clearly marked as ‘Private Site Access – No Entry’. Further along there is a yellow triangle marking the path back onto the cliff tops. There is no real alternative for this section of path along the beach so check the tide times to ensure it is passible. The path along the cliff tops can be quite overgrown but was clear enough to find and is followed with lovely views along the coast as far as Quantock’s Head. From here the path heads inland towards East Quantock’s Head before turning to aim for Kilve, then turning again on the other side of East Wood to cross fields to the A39. This is a very busy main road and the path comes out in a hedge on the blind inside corner of the road so crossing requires EXTREME CAUTION. The path then follows a track then well signed paths along the edge of fields to a rough road into Holford
In Holford walk along the minor road past the sign for the car park and take then next road right (signed Holford Combe). At The Triangle, take the minor road to the left and follow it uphill until a path on the right just before you come out onto the main road (Woodlands Hill – National Trust). From here to Nether Stowey you are following the Coleridge Way (brown quill symbol). However, it is not as well sign posted in this direction as it is in reverse. There is a long uphill on a stony, wide bridleway through the woods. Shortly after you exit the woods onto the moorland there is a fork in the path. The left fork has a way marker (footprint) IGNORE this and take the right fork instead to continue to the top of the hill (large pile of stones). Carry straight on until a cross paths and follow the Coleridge Way to the left. A good path leads along the moors with extensive views across to the Bristol Channel. The track then enters some lovely woods and continues to a minor road. Turn left and walk along the road to a sharp left bend at Walfords’ Gibbet. Take the path on the right through a field and out a gate. Take the track opposite (signed Quantock Greenway) and walk downhill. Just before the house and ford the path leads off left. Follow the path as is rises above the stream/bridleway then come out on the minor road above Nether Stowey. Follow the minor roads past the remains of Stowey Castle and into the village (Coleridge Cottage – National Trust, a few shops and pub)
Out of Nether Stowey you need to cross the busy main road (there seems to be a new crossing being built) and initially follow signs for the Castles and Coast Way through Budley Farm. The route then officially goes across the middle of the field but this was not locatable on the ground and, as there is a new caravan park nearby, I felt a detour would be a safer option. I have marked the detour in blue on a picture of the map. At Keenthorne I ended up walking around the field edge as the path through the middle was not clear (Spring). The path onto Keenthorne Drive has an unstable stile. I then walked along the drive of the property to exit, although the path does cut across the garden and is marked from the other direction. At Keenthorne Farm the path started out well but seemed to turn into a track that skirted round the vineyard at Oatley. It was an easy to follow route but was not signed (also marked in blue on the picture of the map)
The rest of the route to Cannington seemed more oft walked and was therefore, easier to follow.
At Sandy Lane the footpaths actually meet on the corner (the map suggests one is further down the road) and crosses the new Cannington Bypass before entering the village
Walk through the village of Cannington (shops and pubs) and follow the well signed path through a new housing estate. In the housing estate there is a gap in the fence to the right which is not signed and easy to miss. This leads to a field with a stepping stone over a stream. The path comes onto a dirt track with no signage so careful navigation is needed to follow the correct track. You then walk through a farmyard/wessex water waste plant which is also not signed. Then the path crosses some fields where there was evidence that cows may use these at times (none in there today – mid March).
A slightly rickety footbridge is crossed and the path officially goes diagonal across the field but it is so boggy that going round would be preferable.
Further on there is a stile missing from the fence so you have to climb over the fence itself where the stile would have been. The footpath comes out onto a driveway which would be difficult to spot coming the other way as the sign is behind a hedge. Approaching Grabhams Farm the route actually cuts the corner. The path is there but not signed. However, it is only a small detour if you end up on the minor road. If you do find the corner cutting path you come out at a gap in the fence of someone’s drive which, again, would be difficult to spot in the other direction and the owners would probably prefer you did the minor road detour, although no-one was there today to comment.
You then follow paths to Wembden then footpaths alongside main roads (with dedicated crossings where required) to enter the centre of the town of Bridgwater.

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