I don't understand why the village of Nether Stowey at the half way point isn't a Slow Ways place. The Slow Way cuts off a corner into the village using a newly updated path and footbridge across a little wooded stream valley. From Holford to Nether Stowey the Slow Way continues along the Coleridge Way. After this, it is all easy walking on tracks and roads through broadleaved woodlands with the odd field edge footpath, and a downhill approach to Nether Stowey. Nether Stowey is a nice old village with pubs, shops and a National Trust tea room in a cottage once briefly occupied by Samuel Taylor Coleridge of romantic poetry fame. Nether Stowey to Bridgwater. I'd give the more utilitarian section between Nether Stowey and Cannington three stars, and the more varied section between Cannington and the centre of Bridgwater four stars. The path east out of Nether Stowey is well-used but narrow and can get a little weedy in summer. The route then continues along on a quiet lane around Whitnell before reaching the edge of Fiddington, where it fiddles across a little horse pasture, then the access road to Mill Farm, and drops down through another horse pasture to a shallow stream valley. The outgoing path heads up the side of an arable field and the Slow Way crosses another lane to pick up a dirt track heading to Edbrook, passing a complex of sheds and pens full of young pheasants and partridges in the summer (plenty more running around loose in the general area when I walked through in October too). This arrives at another arable field just before Edbrook Farm where you may have to turn right and walk around (good) headlands instead of crossing the field diagonally on the footpath route at some times of year. Recommended coming from Bridgwater, where the route through the farm is less obvious (come to think of it I am not sure why I simply didn't plot it this way!). Finally, the Slow Way takes a little hop over a little ridge (with wider views) before reaching the edge of Bridgwater at Wembdon. You can get to Watchet on the 28 bus route from Taunton, and it is a nice little harbourside village. Wet ground on the route between Cannington and Bridgwater...

Mockymock

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....

Mockymock

There is a bit too much road work, albeit with decent views, for 5 stars, but the gentle yomp up from West Bagborough to the plateau starts spreading Somerset behind you, and the vistas only get better....

Steve_Roser

Bear in mind that you cannot use the section of the England Coast Path along the beach between Watchet and Doniford for a while around high tide, so best check the tide times before you go. There is quite a lot of road walking for the first few miles, first through Bishops Lydeard (the pavement runs out towards the end of the village but there is a 20mph speed limit), and then gently but steadily upward to West Bagborough, interrupted by a welcome half mile of wooded bridleway part way along. No food or drink stops from here on til West Quantoxhead, as the Blue Ball in Triscombe is still shut and, judging by the state of its roof, unlikely to reopen soon. Just before Triscombe, I recommend using the minor road instead of the plotted footpath forking right into the woods (roughly between w3w twitching.dishes.tweed and contexts.mingles.motion) as the steep, zigzaggy path down into the hamlet is poor and slippery (see the photo of my friend descending). Beyond the road crossing at Crowcombe Gate, the route follows tracks across miles of open heathland (it is very beautiful here in late summer) with grazing ponies and hill sheep around, and big views. Towards West Quantoxhead, the coast comes into full sight and there is a long and steepening descent into the village, passing the National Trust carpark on the way. At Doniford there is a little section along the road which mostly has a pavement, but not always....

Mockymock

It is unusable in its current form because it uses roads and tracks through the private grounds of St Audries Park where there is no public right of way. A new version of this route is definitely needed!...

Mockymock

The detour so you don't fall with the crumbling cliff into the sea at Blue Anchor does not detract from this lovely coastal stroll. Starting from Minehead (ice cream opportunity #1 of many), if you can resist the lure of Butlins, you head past the golf course and towards Dunster Beach (ICO #2...). You get great views of Dunster castle, the West Somerset Steam Railway and the wooded valleys of Exmoor as you get to Blue Anchor, where the England Coast path is diverted inland to avoid the crumbling headland....

Steve_Roser

A highly enjoyable rural holiday-zone leisure stroll along the coast path between Minehead and Blue anchor with golfers, dog-walkers and beachgoers around, and many opportunities to buy ice-cream in the season. Between Blue Anchor and Watchet the route jinks inland on a quiet, well-signed footpath diversion from the blocked coast path. This leads along a farmed valley with views of the Brendon Hills, then hops over a little hill at the village of Old Cleeve to Washford, finally following a tree-lined cycle path along the long disused mineral railway line into Watchet....

Mockymock

Although a flat route, it starts near the golf course in Minehead and meanders mostly along the coast, tricky in parts. Not the most attractive coastal walk....

Jude Halperin

Lovely walk led by Tim Ryan...

Eva Edina Annus

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. 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). Follow the path as is rises above the stream/bridleway then come out on the minor road above Nether Stowey. 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. Walk through the village of Cannington (shops and pubs) and follow the well signed path through a new housing estate. The path comes onto a dirt track with no signage so careful navigation is needed to follow the correct track. 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...

Sonya B

The path then goes through a holiday camp and was not signed as a right of way. At the top it is difficult to work out where the path through the field goes or where it comes out and it is not signed into the field in the other direction either. The path was not signed from the other end (through a farmyard) either. At the T-Junction turn left then, shortly after, there is a track on the right with the Coleridge Way symbol (Brown Quill). Turn right and walk up the lane to the top. Turn left in the field and walk to the top (Walfords’ Gibbet). Follow the minor road straight on for a while before a clear sign on the right. At the minor road turn left and walk along the road into Holford. Otherwise, cut the corner by turning left (signposted Car Park) and following the road past the green. When the road turns sharp right by a stone wall (Ancient Dog Pound), take the path on the left (still following Coleridge Way signs) and climb the long uphill onto the Quantock’s. You drop down from Beacon Hill to Staple Plain car park and, just as you head out of the car park on the other side is a path that leads down to the A39 at West Quantock’s Head (it brings you right out next to The Windmill Pub). You could continue on this road to Doniford or you could turn off part way down at St Audries Bay Holiday Park and follow the road down into the park where you can pick up the South West Coast path to Doniford...

Sonya B

A superb route which takes the high route along the Quantocks....

Tim Ryan

Stunning views of hills and coast....

Tim Ryan

One footpath issue north of Old Holcombe Water farm crossing a fence near Galloping woods....

Tim Ryan

Watchet has lots of shops and several cafes, including one at the recently-opened art centre at East Quay, while Wheddon Cross has a shop and pub....

Mockymock

Just past the church on the left, there is an x-stile and a finger post to Stowey Wood on the right. Continuing to follow the left edge of the grassy field you head downhill to a gate. Cross the stream by the ruined building and turn left along the stream to another finger post which points right to Kersham. Half way along this field, on the left is a gate onto the minor road. Turn left and walk uphill on the minor road to a cross roads with a busy B-road. At the Croydon Hill sign take the right fork and follow the track to a 5-ways finger post. There is a track directly opposite which you follow to a field edge (which can be overgrown) and a stile into a field then another stile into another field and a gate onto a short section of lane then onto the main A39. Cross over the road with care and turn left....

Sonya B

The path then opens out and becomes more of a track above the high water line (except possibly for storm surges) and continues alongside the golf course (watch out for stray shots). As of June 2021, the Steam Coast Trail had yet to be completed as it turns into plastic grid underlay then a hard core track to Blue Anchor. The access from the track to Blue Anchor Esplanade is officially along the beach which may be cut off at a very high tide and involves a set of steps up from the beach. The route continues along the long esplanade at Blue Anchor past a couple of cafés, a Holiday Park and a set of public toilets....

Sonya B

I struggled to upload all the photos I wanted to last time - here are the rest including the official diversion...

Sonya B

However, I would like to draw attention to a potential obstacle (see photo, taken at Blue Anchor) In addition there is currently (May 2021) a signposted detour to the east of Blue Anchor following a landslip at ST 03292 43558...

bmCwmbran