Walking is one of the best ways to keep active and healthy, in 2020 67% of adults in England reported walking at least once per week. No doubt Covid 19 had a big part to play in encouraging people to get outside.
Now that the school summer holidays are upon us many will be wondering where the best walking spots are in and around Wellington.
There are also many local campaigns available to offer new ideas on getting active during the long summer we are having. The Get Outside in Somerset project is a joint initiative from Somerset Activity and Sport Partnership (SASP), The Community Council for Somerset (CCS), Spark Somerset, and Somerset Wildlife Trust. The Get Outside in Somerset project is empowering and supporting people across Somerset to get outside and move in more ways that suit them.This could be anything from a short walk or a spot of gardening, to taking part in water sports on a local river or going for a run.
In Light of this here is a small list of some of the best walks in and around Wellington.
1. The Wellington Monument
Wellington Monument was built in honour of the Duke of Wellington following the victory at the battle of Waterloo. A significant landmark for the area this walk can be experienced in many different ways. There is a car park situated at the monument for this who prefer a more direct route. There is also a route from Wellington which takes you out along country lanes, road and up the footpath that climbs the hill to the monument. A great walk in any weather and open all year round with an estimated time of completion at 1hr.
2. Tonedale to Nynehead - Canal Bed and boat Lift
This walk takes you along parts of the unfinished Grand Western Canal, if this had been successful it would have allowed shipping to avoid long journeys by sea around the Cornish peninsula however it was abandoned in the late 1860s. This walk is virtually level all the way, the route takes you through mixed woodland on a maintained path. The end result will be arriving at the partly restored Nynehead Canal Boat Lift and a water filled stretch of the old canal.
3. Blackdown Common Circular
This walk is a popular route along the Blackdown hills a local Area of outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). A 6 Kilometre trail which is generally considered as an easy route taking an average of 1hr 33mins to complete. There is also an Elizabethan Beacon which would have been used for the lighting of fires to warn of advancing enemies.
4. Langford Heathfield Nature Reserve
To get to this walk is about a 10 minute drive. Parking can be first come first serve but it is advised to park in lay-bys on the Wiveliscombe road. The second largest reserve owned by Somerset Wildlife Trust. The walk provides a mixture of diverse woodland. There are reports that this walk is very muddy so best go prepared. An average time of 55 mins to complete.
