With so much of Exmoor close by I have decided not to use the car today but walk directly from the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s site in Minehead. On leaving the site I turn left and walk uphill along the pavement besides the A39, Hopcott Road.
On reaching the Hopcott I turn left to follow the narrow tarmacked lane as it heads steadily uphill passing Higher Hopcott and then entering woodland with a steep final ascent to reach a small car park.
There are a network of paths leading from this car park, I take the route of the Macmillan Way West still heading uphill. I ignore a path on the right soon after leaving the car park and then where the Macmillan Way forks to the left I take the right fork to follow a footpath along a track.
I am still heading steadily uphill, the path starts to level slightly on leaving the trees to enter an area covered in gorse offering fine views.
On reaching a crossing of paths I turn right to follow the route towards Tivington.
I am now back on the Macmillan Way heading west to reach another crossing of paths. Here the Macmillan Way turns left towards Wootton Courtney, however, I keep going straight ahead soon reaching an Ordnance Survey trig point tucked to the left of the track on a high bank. This trig at Periton Hill is the 130thI have bagged.
At the next crossing of footpaths I continue straight on to pass the National Trust plaque and enter Holnicote.
Within a short distance the track forks and I take the left route towards Tivington.
I leave the trees to join a hedge-lined track and get a cracking view over towards Porlock Weir.
The track reaches Tivington near to the thatched 14thcentury Chapel of St Leonard. Apparently this chapel of ease closed during the dissolution of the monasteries it was restored in 1896 and re-consecrated in 1940. Sadly it is locked so I cannot take a peak inside.
Heading into the hamlet I take a lane on the left to pass Troyte’s Farm and then take the next track on the right. On reaching Long Lane Cross I turn left to follow the high banked Long Lane heading west.
At the end of the lane there is a dovecote, thought to have been built in the 11th century, apparently there is written record of it dating back to 1393 when it formed part of Blackford Manor, which burnt down in 1875.
I carry straight on along a country lane towards Luccombe with views of Dunkery Beacon to my left.
On reaching Luccombe I turn left and walk through the village to reach the Church of St Mary.
It has been a showery day, but now the sun is shining through, so I avail myself of a bench in the village to eat my lunch. I resume my walk by heading back through the village and crossing a bridge to pass the entrance to East Luccombe Farm and then turn right along Huish Ball Steep. As the name suggest this lane rises steeply out of the village to reach Chilsand Lane. I turn right along this country lane to reach Piles Mill.
This 16th century mill was originally a corn mill and then between 1930 and 1940 it was used for cider making. Now it is run by the National Trust.
With care I cross the A39 and walk into Brandish Street and turn left to follow a lane to Higher Allerford. Here I turn right to follow a track signposted to Selworthy. This route heads steadily uphill along the track to reach the attractive village of Selworthy.
I turn left and continue walking uphill through the village and then just after passing the War Memorial take a footpath on the left into Selworthy Combe. This is a cracking bit of woodland.
I stay on the main path until it forks to the right to head up through the combe as I near a minor road, Hill Road, I turn right along a track running parallel to the road. Crossing the road I head east across the hill.
There are a network of paths on this hill, I continue to the east heading towards trees in the distance. On reaching the trees I turn to the right to cross the road and then take a footpath on the left that runs parallel to the road and heads downhill through gorse bushes. The weather has closed in a bit so I do not get the full benefit of the view in front of me.
This track joins the road by a cattle grid and the route is then downhill along the road until I reach a footpath on the right. This path soon goes through a kissing gate to continue downhill through a paddock to reach a gate and then enters the drive of a house and then onto Moor Road. I turn right and wander through Higher Town in old Minehead.
This is an attractive part of the town with numerous thatched cottages and is very different from the Butlin’s dominated image of the town. It is now pouring with rain so I don’t hang around and decide to head back to the caravan to try and dry Crosby off. My walk has covered thirteen miles and now it is time to relax and spend the evening with the odour of damp Labrador!
To view this 13 mile walk on OS Maps Click Here
To follow this walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map OL9 – Exmoor
26thJanuary 2019
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2019)