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Crowcombe & Wills Neck

Quantock Hills Walk

Region - Quantock Hills

County/Area - Somerset

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 7.3 miles / 11.9 km    Ascent - 1000 feet / 303 metres

Time - 4 hours 40 minutes    Grade - moderate

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer 140Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer 140Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 181Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 181Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Crowcombe & Wills Neck
Click image to see photo description.

This Somerset walk was originally designed for people staying at the Crowcombe Heathfield Youth Hostel (grid ref. ST138338) with the route climbing to Wills Neck, the highest point in The Quantock Hills, before continuing through the village of Crowcombe back to the start. For those not staying at the Youth Hostel parking is available close to the road junction by the hostel. An alternative start is the small parking area to the east of Crowcombe (grid ref. ST140366).

From the start follow the lane in a north-easterly direction soon crossing a railway bridge. Continue along the lane for just over a kilometre to reach the A358 at Red Post (grid ref. ST146347). Turn left and take the first lane on the right signed to Triscombe. A steady walk of 1.4 kilometres provides some good views ahead to the Quantock Hills. Arriving in Triscombe brings you to the Blue Bull pub on your right. Just past the pub, bear right. Almost immediately on your left you will find a steep path climbing up through the trees. Take this and continue ahead at the cross path soon reached during this climb.

Once clear of the trees, the path continues to climb steadily. With the gradient easing you reach the trig point on Wills Neck (grid ref. ST165352) after a kilometre from the lane in Triscombe. From here there are excellent views across the Quantocks and into the valley below. Care is needed to take the correct route from the trig point. When you first approach the trig point you need to take the broad path heading left initially in a north-westerly direction. This is the Macmillan Way.

The onward clear path veers north and then bends to the left heading northwest again to pass a car park on your right. Continue along the track to pass Great Quantock Farm below on your right after just over a kilometre from the car park. Just past the farm you reach a path junction (grid ref. ST156369). Leave the Macmillan Way and turn left. The path descends, steeply in places, down Little Quantock Combe to reach a lane by Little Quantock Farm.

Turn right along the lane. Ignore the lane on the left after 200 metres. Continue along the lane. Bear left when a lane comes in from the right and continue walking to a T-junction. Turn right here into Crowcombe. Pass the church on your right and just before a row of cottages on the left, turn left through a wooden gate. This path leads across pastures to pass under the A358 and then with a stream on your left reached Crowcombe Bridge (grid ref. ST135634). Turn right along the lane passing Lawford Farm on your left.

Immediately after the farm, turn left onto a signed path which leads above a valley on your right to Roebuck Farm. Turn right between the buildings to locate the main farm access track and follow this under the railway to a lane (grid ref. ST130356). Turn left along the lane for 1.3 kilometres to reach a road junction (grid ref. ST135346). Turn right into Broad Oak Hill signed to Willett. Turn left after 300 metres and continue along this quiet lane to reach the starting point.

Originally conceived by Martyn Hanks, this walk was designed for Youth Hostellers staying at the Crowcombe Heathfield Youth Hostel. The routes were drawn in a 'Wainwright' style and provided annotated maps offering additional information for walkers. Prepared before the days of GPS they were an invaluable resource and Walking Britain is happy to ensure that these walks remain in the public domain.

Wills Neck and Crowcombe walk map

 

Other walks nearby

Walk 1924 Lydeard Hill to Wills Neck easy2.6 miles
Walk 2330 Quantock Hills from Dead Woman's Ditchmoderate9.2 miles
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Walk 1822 Hodder's Combe, Bicknoller Post & Higher Hare Knapeasy/mod5.8 miles
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Walk 2940 Beacon Hill & Bicknoller Post from Kilve Beacheasy/mod7.0 miles
Walk 1856 Lilstock & East Quantox Headeasy/mod8.4 miles
Walk 1973 River Parrett from Pawletteasy/mod7.1 miles
Walk 1978 Blackdown Hills & Castle Nerocheeasy/mod6.8 miles

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