Wellington, Somerset — Ilminster
Welilm two
Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Welilm here.
Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Welilm here.
By Helen Gough on 30 Sep 2023
Description
As there isn't a pedestrian crossing of the M5 in the area, this route uses Ford Street to pass underneath the motorway. It's not ideal, but I think it's safer than using Junction 26.
It took me 2 attempts to find a viable route across Prior's Park Wood, and while this route uses a narrow, steep path that crosses a stream a few times, and is hard going, I think it's the best option
As there isn't a pedestrian crossing of the M5 in the area, this route uses Ford Street to pass underneath the motorway. It's not ideal, but I think it's safer than using Junction 26.
It took me 2 attempts to find a viable route across Prior's Park Wood, and while this route uses a narrow, steep path that crosses a stream a few times, and is hard going, I think it's the best option
Status
This route has been reviewed by 1 person.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Welilm two
Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.
Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 1
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (1)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 0
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 4X based on 1 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
---|---|---|---|
Description | Note | ||
Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues. Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users. |
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.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
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: Unclear in places (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.
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.
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
Thereis no data on amount of route paved
There is no data on muddiness
There is no data on rough ground
There is no data on long grass
Report a problem with this data
1 surveys
Information from verified surveys.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Wellington, Somerset
Grid Ref
ST1405720774
Lat / Lon
50.97993° / -3.22563°
Easting / Northing
314,057E / 120,774N
What3Words
proofread.lotteries.prestige
Ilminster
Grid Ref
ST3613814539
Lat / Lon
50.92675° / -2.91004°
Easting / Northing
336,138E / 114,539N
What3Words
extensive.compiled.clearcut
Wellington, Somerset | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | ST1405720774 |
Lat / Lon | 50.97993° / -3.22563° |
Easting / Northing | 314,057E / 120,774N |
What3Words | proofread.lotteries.prestige |
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.
review
Helen Gough
30 Sep 2023I walked this route from Wellington to Ilminster over a couple of days, breaking the route up at Castle Neroche, where the 99 Chard- Taunton bus makes a stop.
This is a long route and parts of it are fantastic for miles and miles, but there are some areas where I struggled.
I didn't particularly enjoy walking Ford Street, as there are no paths and only some verges. However, the road isn't too busy. After that I had to cross fields of sweetcorn, where unfortunately it was shortly before harvest and the crop was thick and towering over me. I walked the field edge path, which wasn't great, there isn't really a path and the crop is planted almost to the hedgerow. Still, if you walk this a couple of weeks later, or before the corn goes above head height, this section would be much easier. As it was I swore my way across these fields.
The path from Gerbeston Manor is quite overgrown, with lots of nettles. There is also a weird crossing of the stream. It looks like a bridge has collapsed, but I wonder if it is supposed to be that way. Anyway, other people were crossing it, and it was quite solid, so I did too.
As the Neroche Forests approach the walk really improves. There are fantastic views across to the Quantocks, and Buckland Wood is lovely, with mostly wide and well maintained paths. In fact most of the woodland sections are excellent, but Prior's Park Wood is tricky. Some of the paths on the map have disappeared, so I stuck to the forestry commission tracks, but they don't connect well with the other plantations, so following this route, when you get to locked gates at a water/drainage station look right for a narrow path through the woodland. It's tricky especially as a stream crosses it several times. Attempts have been made to make it possible to cross without getting your feet wet, with stepping stones and logs, but it's all quite slippery. Once it heads up hill across Hawk's Moor, the ground is drier, but it's steep.
After this path, you have to cross the B3170, and go through a gate to the next plantation. Immediately after the gate there is a bog. Look right and follow a firm narrow path that leads you uphill and then to a proper track. The bog is horrible and you might lose your boots!
The rest of the Neroche Forest section is easy to follow, and the paths are well used and maintained. There is a steep climb up to the Neroche viewpoint, hard work but worth it. If you don't fancy it, you can stay on the wider, flatter forestry tracks and rejoin the route a bit later.
As you leave the forest there are stunning views ahead of you. I happened to do this section not long after dawn and it looked magical. The descent is steep, and some of the stiles have seen better days.
I got a bit confused in the wood just after Hisbeer's Farm. I couldn't work out where the path was, until I realised the path was a stream. There is no actual path. Once out of there and onto the lanes, the route is straight forward.
This is overall a good walk, once you get over the M5. The crops will be gone soon, so those fields will be easy to cross most of the time. I would definitely recommend waterproof footwear as there are streams to cross and walk along which will be there all year round. There are also some nettle sections, so being able to cover up is helpful. There are pubs at Blagdon Hill and Horton.
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.
Other Routes for Wellington, Somerset—Ilminster See all Slow Ways
Review this better route and help establish a trusted network of walking routes.
Suggest a better route if it better meets our methodology.
Share your thoughts