Montacute
From the square facing the Phelips Arms, follow the main street left. At the church, go left again in front of The Kings Arms Inn and keep ahead past Abbey Farm along a private road to Hollow Lane. There, turn right but leave immediately through a kissing gate on the right. Climb above the lane at edge of fields, rejoining it at the top of the hill.
Take the track opposite but, just beyond a gate, swing through another on the right and follow a slanting trod down the hill side towards the site of the lost village of Witcombe. Walk along the base of the valley, leaving through a gate at the far end. Drop left, crossing a track to a kissing gate. Swing right at the bottom of a pasture to another gate, from which a path winds through High Wood around the base of a hill. Ignore paths off right and left as you curve around the snout of the hill, eventually leaving the trees behind to emerge over a stile by a gate into a field. Make for a field track at the far side and follow it uphill. Through a gate, continue over the crest to find a stile on the right. Drop through trees to an old track below, known as Hocker's Hill.
Follow it right for 0.75 mile (1.2km) to a junction and go left. At a later fork keep left again, eventually joining a drive to emerge onto a lane at Five Ashes.
Cross to a track opposite signed to New Road, leaving after 150yds (137m) over a stile on the left by the corner of a high stone wall. Continue with the right fence to another stile at the bottom from which a path falls steeply into trees. Swinging right lower down, contour round to emerge in a field and keep ahead past a dilapidated hut and along a fringe of trees. Reaching a lane, go left and left again along the main road to a bend by Odcombe Lodge.
Just beyond, turn in through impressive gates into Montacute Park. Head away along an avenue of oak, at the end of which is a classic view to the original east front of Montacute House. Retrace your steps a short distance to a waypost and swing right past a redundant stile towards the village. Leave the park through a gate beneath an ancient oak, from which a short path leads onto a back street. Go right and left to come out onto the main street, turning right past the TV, Radio and Toy Museum back to the main square.
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
Nearby places to stay
View all (8)
- Washing machine
- Sky or freeview
- Linens provided
- Total units: 1
- Washing machine
- Sky or freeview
- Linens provided
- Launderette
- Ice pack facility
- Cafe/Restaurant
- Shop onsite


