Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived for some years in Nether Stowey and it is here that the Coleridge Trail starts, at the house that was once his home and has now been turned into a museum about the poet. The trail continues to Alfoxton, near Holford, where his great friends William and Dorothy Wordsworth lived, then across the spine of the Quantock Hills down into Watchet, where Coleridge is recorded as having stayed at the Bell Inn in Market Street. It is believed that Coleridge wrote his most famous poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner whilst staying in Watchet. A statue of the Ancient Mariner stands
overlooking the harbour. From Watchet the trail goes on along the coast to Porlock, Lynmouth and beyond.
In the Footsteps of the Romantic
Poet - Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1772 -1834 – Poet and Philosopher
Walk 36 miles through the stunning Somerset countryside of the Quantock
Hills, the Brendon Hills and Exmoor, a landscape that inspired Samuel Taylor Coleridge to produce some of his best known works.
Coins on Brdige
From Nether Stowey on the Quantock Hills, where Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived for
three years, walk:
You will travel through a variety of landscapes – heathland,
moorland, deciduous and coniferous woodland, farmland, deeply wooded
valleys and historic villages - with expansive views over to the North
Somerset Coast and Wales.
Every village has at least one pub, to provide you with welcome refreshment.
There are also a number of delightful tea rooms and village shops to
visit.
On the Colerdige Way close to Aller Farm near Monsilver
there ids a wooden footbridge with a note that says
TO ALL WHO TREAD HERE
IN ANCIENT TIMES IT WAS
CONSIDERED PRUDENT FOR
TRAVELLERS ABOUT TO CROSS
A WOODEN BRIDGE TO MAKE AN
OFFERING TO THE SPIRITS OF
THE TREES WHICH WERE CUT
TO PROVIDE THE TIMBER
UNLESS A THIEF OR DESTITUTE
PERSON HAS TAKEN IT, YOU WILL
FIND A SMALL COIN ON ONE OF
THE PILLARS. PLEASE CARRY IT
ACROSS, ON AN OPEN PALM,
AND PLACE IT ON A PILLAR ON
THE OPPOSITE SIDE, SO THAT
THE NEXT TRAVELLER MAY
USE IT TO CROSS IN SAFETY.
IF ALL THE COINS HAVE BEEN
TAKEN YOU MAY WISH TO LEAVE
A SMALL TOKEN TO AID THOSE
WHO COME AFTER YOU.
MAY YOU TRAVEL TRANQUILLY AND ARRIVE RESTORED
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The Colerdige Way Villages:
Nether Stowey- Set in the foothills of the Quantocks.
Home of Samuel Taylor Coleridge between 1797 and 1799. Coleridge Cottage, now owned
by the National Trust, can be visited. Remains of an 11th century castle.
pubs; shops; tea shops; AONB visitor information; car park; WC.
Holford- On the edge of the Quantocks,
surrounded by beautiful combes. Strong links with Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Wordsworth.
Alfoxton Park Hotel, where Wordsworth lived. Remains of Huguenot silk
mill Pub; tea shop; car park.
West Quantoxhead - Lies on A39, also
known as St Audries, which is the church's dedication. Village formerly
within the St Audries Manor Estate which can be seen from the route through
the forest. Pub; shop further along A 39
Bicknoller- On lower western slopes
of the Quantocks. Above village lies Trendle Ring, an iron age settlement.
Part of church dates from 12th century, dominated by huge old yew tree
in its grounds. Pub; community run shop.
Monksilver- Nestling in the Brendon Hills on the boundary
of Exmoor National Park. Silver from Latin 'silva' meaning woodland ie
Monks' Wood. Church is 15th century and built of red sandstone. Pub
Roadwater- Long straggling village in
deep wooded valley. Famous for its links with the old West Somerset Mineral
Railway Line, which transported iron ore in the 19th century from the
Brendon Hills to Watchet on the coast. Pub; shop; car park.
Luxborough- Lying at 600ft in a valley
between Brendon and Croydon Hills, surrounded by woodland. Village divided
into three, Kingsbridge, Pooltown and Churchtown. River Washford rises
near village. Pub; tea room.
Wheddon Cross - A crossroads village
that grew when the Minehead to Bampton turnpike was built in the 1820s.
Settlement is one of the highest in Exmoor. Famous for its Snowdrop Valley
is the nearby Avill Valley. Pub; tea rooms; shops; car park; WC.
Horner- cluster of houses near Luccombe,
Horner Water and ancient Horner Wood. Part of National Trust Holnicote Estate. Late medieval packhorse bridge also known as Hacketty Way Bridge.
Tea room.
Porlock- Surrounded on three sides by Exmoor and to the
North by the Bristol Channel. Famous for its poetry associations. Samuel Taylor Coleridge is said to have written Kubla Khan at a farm 3 or 4miles away. pubs;
shops; tea shops; Visitor Centre; car parks; WC.
Walk 36 miles through the stunning Somerset countryside
of the Quantock Hills, the Brendon Hills and Exmoor, a landscape that
inspired Samuel Taylor Coleridge to produce some of his best known works.
From Nether Stowey on the Quantock Hills, where Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived for three years, walk:
You will travel through a variety of landscapes - heathland,moorland,
deciduous and coniferous woodland, farmland, deeply wooded valleys and
historic villages - with expansive views over to the North Somerset Coast
and Wales.
Every village has at least one pub, to provide you with
welcome refreshment. There are also a number of delightful tea rooms
and village shops to visit.
For those who are more adventurous why not walk the
Samuel Taylor Coleridge on consecutive days and take advantage of the many bed and
breakfast accommodation providers along the route.
The Route
The route is waymarked in places with specific Samuel Taylor Coleridge Way signs and
can be followed by using the detailed route guides and maps which can
be downloaded from the Exmoor National Park Authority's website - www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
Ordnance Survey maps covering this route are:
Explorer 140 - Quantock Hills and Bridgwater Explorer OL9 - Exmoor
By its nature the Coleridge Way covers a variety of terrain, some of
which can be very muddy after heavy rain. Some areas of the route are
also remote, where the weather can change rapidly, and should not be
attempted when visibility is poor. You should wear walking boots and
have appropriate waterproof clothing with you at all times.
Please exercise extreme care when crossing main roads and walking along
country lanes.
How to get Here
You can reach the area from the M5 motorway, exiting at junction 24 (Bridgwater)
or 25 (Taunton). Nether Stowey is on the A39 Bridgwater to Minehead road.
Regional trains run to Bridgwater from where the 15 bus service gives
access to Nether Stowey. See www.thetrainline.com and
www.traveline.org.uk
Buses can be used to access the start and finish of the route an some
intermediate points. See www.traveline.org.uk
Local Accommodation
There is a good selection of pubs, bed and breakfast providers, guest
houses and hotels situated along or close to the route. Those who prefer
self catering are also well provided for, with cottages, camping and
caravan sites, a camping barn and a youth hostel.
Further information
For further information on the route, public transport and accommodation
contact:
Quantock Hills
Burnham Tourist Information Centre. Tel: 01278 787852
Email: burnham.tic@sedgemoor.gov.uk www.somersetbythesea.co.uk
Brendon Hills and Exmoor
Porlock Visitor Centre
Tel: 01643 863150
Email: info@porlock.co.uk
Web: www.visit-exmoor.info
THE waymark was designed by local Somerset designer David Kempston at DJK Graphics and the signs made, using recycled wood, by Carhampton-based Phil Taphouse from P&S Engraving.
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