Route 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.
About the surveyor
Coming soon.
Survey Contents
- Grading
- Photos
- Facilities
- Challenges
- Obstacles
- Accessibility
- Measurements
- Successfully completed
- Expert recommendations
- Terrain
Grading
Path surface grading
Accessibility grading
Photos
Photos from surveys are coming soon.
Facilities
- Public toilet
- Wheelchair accessible toilet
- Supermarket
- Restaurant
- Vegan restaurant
- Accommodation
- Accommodation < £50
- Campsite
- Bothy
- Free wifi
- Public phone
- Mobile Phone Coverage
- Train station
- Bench
- Picnic table
- Bus stop
- Ferry
Challenges
- Scrambling
- Wading
- Swimming
- Climbing
- Stepping stones
- Very slippery
- Very muddy
- Very icy
- Likely to flood
- Long grass sections
- Crops encroaching on path
- Diverted path
Obstacles
- Stiles
- Step and kerbs
- Possible to avoid steps, if applicable
- Flights of steps
- Gates
- Kissing gates
- Locked gates
- Disables access gates
- Cycle barriers
- Ladders
- Cattle grids
- Fords
- Narrow bridges
- Ferry required
- Acceptable road walking
- Unacceptable road walking
- Dangerous road crossings
- Walking on paths beside roads
- Walking on verges beside roads
- Railway crossings
- River crossings
- Cattle possible
- Horses possible
- Tidal area
- Potential falls
- Exposed to elements
- Remote area
- Mountainous area
- Military training area
- No visible path
- Seasonal nesting birds
- Other hazards
Accessibility
- Free of stiles
- Free of single steps/kerbs
- Free of flights of steps
- Free of other obstacles
Measurements
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
Successfully completed
- Small Pug-sized dog
- Small Labrador-sized dog
- Large St. Bernard-sized dog
- Standard pram
- Off-road rugged pram
- Standard wheelchair
- Off-road rugged wheelchair
- Standard mobility scooter
- Off-road rugged mobility scooter
Expert recommendations
- Small Pug-sized dog
- Small Labrador-sized dog
- Large St. Bernard-sized dog
- Standard pram
- Off-road rugged pram
- Standard wheelchair
- Off-road rugged wheelchair
- Standard mobility scooter
- Off-road rugged mobility scooter
Terrain
No data yet
100.00% of the route is paved
There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night
There is no data on how muddy this route is
There is no data on rough ground
There is no data on long grass
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