Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-somerset">SOMERSET</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/12/exmoor-3809628_1280.jpg" alt="exmoor winter walk" class="wp-image-49217" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/12/exmoor-3809628_1280.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/12/exmoor-3809628_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/12/exmoor-3809628_1280-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/12/exmoor-3809628_1280-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/12/exmoor-3809628_1280-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/12/exmoor-3809628_1280-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Julia Schwab from PIxabay</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-exford-circular-exmoor">The Exford Circular, Exmoor</h2>



<p><strong>Walk:</strong> This <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk/blog/exford-circular-walk/" target="_blank">walk of 4.8 miles </a>follows the river Exe downstream from Exford, climbs up past cultivated fields and rewards you at the top with panoramic views over Exmoor before heading back down through a hidden valley. </p>



<p><strong>Pub:</strong> The Virginia creeper covered <a href="https://www.exmoor-whitehorse.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exmoor White Horse Inn</a> in Exford, a 16th century inn with a huntin’,  shootin’, fishin’ vibe, crackling fires, lounge, formal dining room and riverside seating. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cheddar-gorge">Cheddar Gorge</h2>



<p><strong>Walk:</strong> Even though the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cheddar-gorge/trails/cheddar-gorge-walk" target="_blank">four-mile circular walk</a> is steep at the beginning, it’s worth the effort as England’s largest gorge, with its peaks, crags, circling Peregrine falcons and little white goats seemingly super-glued onto the sheer sides, is flipping impressive.</p>



<p><strong>Pub:</strong> <a aria-label="The Bath Arms  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://batharms.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bath Arms </a>in Cheddar serves up 2 AA rosette winning grub though it&#8217;s great for just a pint.  </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-porlock-hills">The Porlock Hills</h2>



<p><strong>Walk:</strong> This <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/224/" target="_blank">circular walk</a>, part of the South West  Coast Path, is just under five mile long and heads into the woods high above Porlock, past Ash Farm where Samuel Coleridge may have written <em>Kubla Khan</em>, the tiny Culborne Church,  the ruins of Lord Byron’s daughter’s gothic mansion with underground tunnels  – and spectacular views through the trees. </p>



<p><strong>Pub:</strong> Start and finish at the quaint <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://shipinnporlockweir.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Bottom Ship Inn</a>, with local ales and simple, well-cooked pub food in the hamlet of Porlock Weir overlooking the Bristol Channel.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aller-moor-near-wedmore">Aller Moor, near Wedmore</h2>



<p><strong>Walk:</strong> A moderate <a href="https://www.theisleofwedmore.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/WalksAroundWedmore.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4.5 mile walk</a> winter walk for bird watchers and dreamers, which starts and finishes in the historic village of Wedmore, will take you onto the other worldly Aller Moor wetlands with its old rhynes (water courses) and wintering birds and waterfowl. </p>



<p><strong>Pub:</strong> Fill your boots at gastropub <a href="https://theswanwedmore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Swan</a>, in Wedmore.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-black-nore-lighthouse-portishead">Black Nore Lighthouse, Portishead</h2>



<p><strong>Walk: </strong>A <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.visitportishead.net/black-nore-walk.php" target="_blank">circular 2-mile walk</a> along the Portishead to Clevedon coast path to Black Nore Lighthouse – an unusual metal lighthouse built in 1894 to guide vessels on their way in and out of Bristol Harbour – and back. </p>



<p><strong>Pub:</strong> Go for pub classics and panoramic views over the Severn Estuary at the  <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Windmill Inn  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.thewindmillinn.org/" target="_blank">The Windmill Inn</a> in Portishead. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-tunnels-mid-ford"><strong>Two Tunnels, Mid</strong>ford</h2>



<p><strong>Walk: </strong>You could do this on foot but it’s a hefty 13 miler, so might be best by bike? The <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/bath-two-tunnels" target="_blank">circular route </a>takes in parts of the Kennet &amp; Avon Cycle Route (including the  spectacular Tucking Mill Viaduct) and the Colliers Way, linking central Bath, Midford, Monkton Combe and beyond via the Devonshire and Combe Down Tunnels. </p>



<p><strong>Pub:</strong> Stop off at the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.hopeandanchormidford.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hope &amp; Anchor</a>, so called as barges on the now defunct Somerset canal used to pull up alongside.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chard-to-wambrook-in-the-blackdown-hills">Chard to Wambrook, in the Blackdown Hills</h2>



<p><strong>Walk:</strong> A beautiful <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk/walks-and-rides/chard-to-wambrook/" target="_blank">five miles</a> through the stunning, ever undulating scenery of the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. </p>



<p><strong>Pub:</strong> The super warm and welcoming <a href="https://www.cotleyinnwambrook.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cotley Inn</a><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Cotley Inn  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-cotley-inn-warmbrook-nr-chard/" target="_blank"> </a>is the perfect place to stop off for a very good field-to-fork lunch or just a drink and a snack.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hinton-blewett-amp-litton-the-mendips">Hinton Blewett &amp; Litton, the Mendips</h2>



<p><strong>Walk: </strong>Two short walks (<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Mendip-AONB-Hinton-Blewett-walk.pdf" target="_blank">3.5 and 2 miles</a>) or a combo of the two around Hinton Blewitt, Littton, the rolling countryside and reservoirs in north east Mendips Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. </p>



<p><strong>Pub:</strong>  A prior winner of Best Destination Pub in the Muddy Stilettos Awards, <a href="https://thelitton.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Litton</a> (in Litton), has modern British menus, eclectic interiors – plaid banquettes, reindeer hides, suit of armour – and all-year-round outdoor spaces with blankets and fire pits.&nbsp;</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-compton-martin-amp-yeo-valley">Compton Martin &amp; Yeo Valley</h2>



<p><strong>Walk:</strong> Follow the path of the river Yeo from its source in the centre of the  village of Compton Martin, across the valley and over to Blagdon Lake in <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="the route of the 6 mile walk (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/121201-Mendip-Hills-Compton-Martin.pdf" target="_blank">six-miles. </a></p>



<p><strong>Pub</strong>: Trad village pub <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Ring o Bells (opens in a new tab)" href="https://butcombe.com/ring-o-bells-somerset/" target="_blank">Ring &#8216;o&#8217; Bells</a> in Compton Martin.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-will-s-neck-in-the-quantocks">Will’s Neck, in the Quantocks</h2>



<p><strong>Walk</strong>: Another high spot (literally): this <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.happyhiker.co.uk/MyWalks/Somerset/WillsNeck/Hiking%20Pages%20-%20Wills%20Neck.htm" target="_blank">one-hour walk</a>  takes you to Will’s Neck (but not Will), the highest point in the Quantock Hills. On a good day you can see over to Exmoor and Dunkery  Beacon and across Somerset. Wild ponies too.&nbsp; </p>



<p><strong>Pub:</strong> Start and finish at <a href="https://risingsunwestbagborough.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Rising Sun</a> in West Bagborough (where the food’s said to be very good).</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dorset">DORSET</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/07/golden-cap-sue-tucker-thumbnail_IMG_2655.jpg" alt="Golden Cap, Sue Tucker" class="wp-image-85959" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/07/golden-cap-sue-tucker-thumbnail_IMG_2655.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/07/golden-cap-sue-tucker-thumbnail_IMG_2655-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/07/golden-cap-sue-tucker-thumbnail_IMG_2655-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/07/golden-cap-sue-tucker-thumbnail_IMG_2655-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/07/golden-cap-sue-tucker-thumbnail_IMG_2655-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-golden-cap-near-seatown">Golden Cap, near Seatown</h2>



<p><strong>Walk:</strong> This <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="circular four and a half miler (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/515/" target="_blank">circular 4.5 miler</a> starts in Seatown and goes up through woods on Langdon Hill to Golden Cap, the highest point on the South coast, with spectacular coastal views. Don&#8217;t blink or you might miss the  hamlet of Stanton St Gabriel.</p>



<p><strong>Pub:</strong> The Best Pub in the Dorset &amp; Somerset Muddy Stilettos Awards 2021, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://theanchorinnseatown.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Anchor Inn</a>, is down on the pebbly beach in Seatown. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-melbury-park-estate-evershot">The Melbury Park Estate,  Evershot</h2>



<p><strong>Walk: </strong>An <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="easy four miles  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MTAxNDU0" target="_blank">easy four or so miles</a>, with everything you&#8217;d expect of a Dorset country estate: a pretty village with thatched cottages, a mansion, rolling grounds, ancient oat trees and loads of cute deer. </p>



<p><strong>Pub:</strong> Roaring fires, great food and drink at former 16th century coaching inn <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Acorn (opens in a new tab)" href="https://acorn-inn.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Acorn</a>, which appeared as &#8216;The Sow &amp; Acorn&#8217; in Thomas Hardy&#8217;s <em>Tess of the d&#8217;Urbervilles</em>.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-corfe-common-corfe-castle">Corfe Common, Corfe Castle</h2>



<p><strong>Walk:</strong> Discover evidence of the area&#8217;s (much) earlier inhabitants on this <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="moderate two-and-a-half hour walk (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle/trails/corfe-common-history-walk" target="_blank">moderate two-and-a-half hour walk</a> around Corfe Common.</p>



<p><strong>Pub:</strong> Enjoy good food and drink at <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Greyhound (opens in a new tab)" href="https://greyhoundcorfe.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Greyhound Inn</a> with the iconic castle as a backdrop. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-st-aldhelm-s-head-isle-of-purbeck">St Aldhelm’s Head, Isle of Purbeck</h2>



<p><strong>Walk: </strong>This <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/580/" target="_blank">easy walk of just under three miles</a>, mostly across the high plateau of land above St Aldhelm’s Head on the  Isle of Purbeck, comes with a 13th century chapel chapel, coastguard lookout and fab views of coastal cliffs.</p>



<p><strong>Pub</strong>: Award-winning beers and ciders including home-pressed traditional cider, pasties, pies, live music and sea views at this true Dorset original, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Square &amp; Compass (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.squareandcompasspub.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Square &amp; Compass</a>, in nearby Worth Matravers. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-canford-heath-near-poole">Canford Heath, near Poole</h2>



<p><strong>Walk:</strong> <a href="http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksWalks/canford-heath-walking-route#" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">850 acres of heathland to wander around</a> with views across to Corfe Castle and the Purbecks. A Site of Special Scientific Interest, it&#8217;s a special protected conservation area with masses of wildlife.</p>



<p><strong>Pub:</strong> Head to the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Canford (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.thecanford.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Canford</a> in Dorset-chic Canford Cliffs for a G&amp;T (it&#8217;s known for its gin), beer and seasonal pub classic nosh.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-white-horse-amp-sutton-poyntz-near-osmington">The White Horse &amp; Sutton Poyntz, near Osmington</h2>



<p><strong>Walk:</strong> Take in the famous white horse cut into the limestone hillside  (George III on horseback, since you’re asking), as well as the sea on this <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walk-1597-description" target="_blank">four-mile walk </a>which begins and ends in Osmington. </p>



<p><strong>Pub</strong>: HQ of French smuggler Pierre Latour and one of the main landing places for smuggled goods in the 17th century, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Smuggler's Inn (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.smugglersinnosmingtonmills.co.uk" target="_blank">The Smuggler&#8217;s Inn</a>, on the cliff top, just outside the village. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-shaftesbury-loop">The Shaftesbury Loop</h2>



<p><strong>Walk:</strong> Starting in the hilltop town with views  northwest towards Glastonbury Tor and south to Melbury Hill, the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="three-mile walk (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/england/dorset/shaftesbury-and-gold-hill" target="_blank">three-mile walk</a> takes you down the famous (super steep) Gold Hill and  through country lanes and fields to the chalk downlands and back. </p>



<p><strong>Pub:</strong> It&#8217;s got to be <a href="https://grosvenorarms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Grosvenor Arms,</a> the gorgeous Georgian coaching inn in the heart of Shaftesbury, a stone’s throw from the iconic Gold Hill, for the wood-fired pizzas, pub classics and more.  </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-win-green-loop-cranborne-chase">The Win Green Loop, Cranborne Chase</h2>



<p><strong>Walk:</strong> Admire the panoramic views from the Win Green Nature Reserve – the highest point in the Cranborne Chase – towards the Isle of Wight, Purbeck Hills, Blackmore Vale and Salisbury Plain – on this<a href="https://cranbornechase.org.uk/explore/walk-14-tollard-royal-to-win-green-loop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" five-mile circular route (opens in a new tab)"> five-mile circular route</a> across the Downland. </p>



<p><strong>Pub: </strong>Pop into the <a aria-label="King John Inn (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.kingjohninn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King John Inn</a> in Tollard Royal for a cracking range of cask ale, craft beer and local cider. Book a table for their 2 AA rosette food for another day.  </p>



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18 bracing winter walks with pubs on the way or nearby

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