Crewkerne - Somerset
Circular walk: 8.5 miles
what3words address for parking: there are a  number of potential starting points for this walk with car parking  in Crewkerne, Merriott and Hinton-st-George. The obvious place to start is in Crewkerne where there are a number of car parks, the most convenient being the Abbey Street car park (pay and display) near the church at
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In Hinton-st-George and Merriott the parking is roadside: somewhere around either
///stretch.yummy.pollution in Merriott near the church or near
///joints.brain.blushed in Hinton-st-George. If you park in the villages, please park considerately; Hinton can get especially busy because of its popular pub, the Lord Poulett, and the suggested parking in Merriott is close to both the school and church.
The route was walked anti-clockwise. From Crewkerne, follow the pavement beside the A30 towards Yeovil for a few hundred yards before turning down a side road on your right that becomes a footpath as it approaches Higher Easthams Farm. The path is somewhat overgrown in parts and gives the impression of being seldom walked. It leads down to the River Parrett where it then follows the River Parrett Trail, which is marked fairly haphazardly. I managed to go wrong at one point and if, like me, you find the river is on your left, then go back to where the river flows through a culvert and make sure it’s on your right! I wasn’t paying attention (possibly because a herd of cows was distracting me…)
Although you are walking beside the river it’s invisible behind vegetation for most  of  its length here.
The path then crosses the A30 (be careful) before it quickly reaches a minor road at Haselbury Mill. Do not go down the access road for the mill, the footpath is just to the right of the mill access.
Cross the A356 and follow the track (sign that says ‘no through road’)  towards Merriott. When you cross the road beside the school and church there is an excellent cafe called ‘The Feed Station’ a few yards further along your route. It caters especially for cyclists but everyone is welcome and it’s well worth a stop if there’s a table free and you’re in  need of refreshment; it’s class! From here the route follows Bowood Lane (an unsurfaced track) towards Hinton-st-George where you turn south at the crossroads. This road is a minor road but links to the A30 and can get surprisingly busy.
About three-quarters of a mile along this road you turn left onto a track that gradually works its way towards Crewkerne. You will see the church tower as you approach Bincombe.
This route has several sections that seem to be seldom walked and, whilst walking through chin high grass is atmospheric, it did mean that the path was indistinct in several places and it took me longer to walk than I had expected (I often think I should carry a pair of secateurs  on walks, on this one a brush-cutter might have been useful!). It was muddy in places and nettles encroached on the path too. Wear boots and don’t wear shorts! However, this was a lovely walk through meadows and woodland with some terrific views over rolling  hills; and tranquillity. There were lots of wild flowers, butterflies, mayflies and a buzzard flew really close to me. I really enjoyed this walk.
walking
PeterHadfield on scottexservices.com