Geo-Trips :: A walk in the southern woodland of the Quantocks
Quantock Hills
A walk from Lydeard Hill, Fri, 8 Mar 2019 by David Smith
Our walking group is based in Exeter and tends to focus on Devon walks; this was a "recce" for a group walk in a different area later in the year; the weather deteriorated as we returned along the ridge over Wills Neck. Things to see: the very small Bronze Age monolith (Triscombe Stone)
Click the blue circles to see a photograph taken from that spot and read further information about the location. The blue lines indicate the direction of view. There is also a slideshow of this trip. ( )
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Path across the moorland on Lydeard Hill
Lydeard Hill and Exmoor ponies
Paths converging between Lydeard Hill and Middle Hill
Meeting at a gate in the hedgebank
Valley south of Aisholt Common
Junction of paths by Bagborough Plantation
On the left, the ridge path to the Drove Road; on the right a path which leads to... more
Junction of paths south of The Slades
Both paths lead to the woodland, but then skirt it in opposite directions. The... more
Light Gate
No gate, but a break in the hedgebank where several paths converge on the south... more
Path on the edge of woodland above Aisholt Common
The woodland is The Slades
Gate from The Slades to Aisholt Common
One of the few entrances to the woodland known as The Slades
Junction of paths in The Slades with a firebreak
Path between conifers in The Slades
The area was planted with quick growing conifers between the First World War and... more
Two tracks in The Slades
Two tracks used for forest access and recreation
Valley in The Slades
A small stream has eroded a gulley by the track in the forest
Track to Cockercombe in The Slades
The path follows the valley and eventually joins the road near Plainsfield
Track into woodland east of Triscombe Stone
The forest track drops into one of the steep combes in The Slades
Gate across track into The Slades
Horse riders on road to Triscombe Stone
A minor road on the east slope of the Quantock ridge
Track into woodland on Hart Hill
This leads to Quantock Farm [[147703]]
Gateway at Great Wood Warm Corner
Track from Hart Hill to Great Wood
Track beside the stream in Quantock Combe
Track leading down Quantock Combe
The stream is on the left
This sign in Quantock Combe is not helpful
The sign simply says "This Way" without a context. Presumably it is... more
Track in Quantock Combe and Great Wood
The stream is on the left
Forest visitors' car park, Great Wood
A badger's path by the track in Quantock Combe
A slope used by badgers and other forest animals beside the forest track
Stream and bridge by forest visitors' car park
Meeting room and toilet block, Ramscombe
Picnic tables and open space, Ramscombe
Bridge over the stream at Ramscombe
Car park and tall trees, Ramscombe
Tracks in Ramscombe
Buggy-friendly paths, Ramscombe
These tracks are part of a 4 kilometre loop suitable for buggies from the car... more
Path and track in Ramscombe
The footpath on the left leads to Crowcombe Combe Gate, the track on the right... more
Ford for a path in Ramscombe
Here, and in other parts of the valley, there are signs of attempts to dam the... more
Footpath in Ramscombe
Blocked footpath in Ramscombe
The footpath was temporarily obstructed by a fallen tree which had dislodges scrub... more
Gate and stile, edge of West Hill
Crowcombe Combe Gate
Sign at a junction of paths, roads and tracks. Macmillan Way West is one of the paths
The Drove Road at Crowcombe Combe Gate
The Drove Road is an ancient track (possibly Saxon or even earlier) used for goods... more
The Drove Road north-east of Fire Beacon
The ancient track, lined by trees and hedgebanks
The Drove Road on West Hill
Parts of the ancient track have been colonised by beech trees
Great Quantock Farm seen from the Drove Road
The Drove Road crossing Great Hill
Several mature trees have become established between the hedgebanks of the ancient... more
Path to Great Quantock Farm
The public footpath formerly led past the farm, but has been diverted from there... more
The Drove Road on Great Hill
Roofs of Quantock Farm and Great Wood beyond
Grassland and bracken on Great Hill
The Drove Road above Triscombe Combe
Triscombe Combe
Looking north-west from the Drove Road to the plain below
Fungi and bracken above Triscombe Combe
The tree is on the hedgebank of the Drove Road
The Triscombe Stone
A Bronze Age monolith ... about 75cm high; there are several barrows on the ridge nearby
Cattle grid at Triscombe Stone car park
The car park is on the further side of the gateway; it gives access to the Drove... more
Looking north from Wills Neck
The view of the ridge of the Quantock Hills shows the trees that line the Drove... more
The trig pillar on Wills Neck
Height: 386m / 1266ft; the summit is the highest in the Quantocks and is classed... more
The barrow and trig pillar on Wills Neck
A tumulus on the skyline, Wills Neck
South of the summit, one of several barrows/tumuli in the landscape; all on a wet... more
All images © David Smith and available under a
Creative Commons licence 
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