Quantock Hills

The Quantock Hills are a place to enjoy a peaceful stroll where views of the Somerset countryside are at their very best. Taking its origin from the Celtic word meaning rim, the interesting range of hill stretches from Broomfield towards the coast at West Quantoxhead. They form the background to the Vale of Taunton on one side and Bridgwater on the other. For the motorist, the Taunton to Minehead road and the West Somerset Railway follow the valley below the Quantocks very close to the pretty villages of Bishops Lydeard, West Bagborough, Crowcombe and Bicknoller. The hills were once unwelcoming common land crossed by prehistoric ways marked by ancient burial mounds and boundary stones. Now the lines of fine beech trees mark them out and together with other hardy specimens, they provide for a great variety of wildlife.

The Somerset Trust for Nature Conservation is based at Fyne Court, Broomfield, where staff are always willing to supply details of exhibitions and other connected events. On the eastern section of the Quantock Ridge the villages settle comfortably in deep coombes - the hamlets too give that picturesque cosy appearance. Every community seems to have its own important slice of history. Aisholt, for example was once the country retreat of famous poet Sir Henry Newbolt.  Over Stowey boasted a castle, and Dodington was the bustling centre of copper mining. Holford once had a thriving tannery, but it has now been converted into a hotel, and at Alfoxton the Wordsworth family lived for a year but apparently upset the locals during their sojourn. The River Parrott ebbs and flows through the Quantock region. Beyond it lie the larger villages of Nether Stowey and Cannington, which can now be by-passed by the motorist in a hurry. Cannington should not be rushed - it is the home of Cannington College where many of the county's young farmers cut their teeth and start their career in earnest. The college gardens are a joy to behold as are the beautiful parish church, mediaeval buildings and fine pubs. Many of the villages have small home-craft industries operating from homes. Sign posts will direct the visitor to craft studios, shops selling home-grown produce and butchers selling local venison.

The duck pond at East Quantoxhead, with the church in the background and the Court House, are so synonymous with the English countryside. Add to it the view looking out across the Bristol Channel, and it is idyllic. The Quantocks are for walkers and strollers. Coach trips do take place but the passengers are unable to appreciate the freshness of the air and the beauty of creation. A bus ride does not afford the opportunity to stop, pause, and take in the scenery.

Around every corner, and there are plenty, the scene changes, and that's the beauty of the Quantocks. Even the view out to sea slips and slides, creating an ever-changing aspect - on a clear day South Wales can be seen and nearer home the Mendips. Bridgwater is the major business centre for the Quantocks. It's a busy town, once a river port, but now an industrial centre.

The Quantock Hills are a place to enjoy a peaceful stroll where views of the Somerset countryside are at their very best. Taking its origin from the Celtic word meaning rim, the interesting range of hill stretches from Broomfield towards the coast at West Quantoxhead. They form the background to the Vale of Taunton on one side and Bridgwater on the other.

For the motorist, the Taunton to Minehead road and the West Somerset Railway follow the valley below the Quantocks very close to the pretty villages of Bishops Lydeard, West Bagborough, Crowcombe and Bicknoller.

View over Watchet from the Quantock Hills - Photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

View towards Minehead and Watchet from the Quantock Hills - Photo supplied by Dave Sorrell

The hills were once unwelcoming common land crossed by prehistoric ways marked by ancient burial mounds and boundary stones. Now the lines of fine beech trees mark them out and together with other hardy specimens, they provide for a great variety of wildlife. The Somerset Trust for Nature Conservation is based at Fyne Court, Broomfield, where staff are always willing to supply details of exhibitions and other connected events. On the eastern section of the Quantock Ridge the villages settle comfortably in deep coombes - the hamlets too give that picturesque cosy appearance. Every community seems to have its own important slice of history. Aisholt, for example was once the country retreat of famous poet Sir Henry Newbolt.

Over Stowey boasted a castle, and Dodington was the bustling centre of copper mining. Holford once had a thriving tannery, but it has now been converted into a hotel, and at Alfoxton the Wordsworth family lived for a year but apparently upset the locals during their sojourn. The River Parrott ebbs and flows through the Quantock region. Beyond it lie the larger villages of Nether Stowey and Cannington, which can now be by-passed by the motorist.

Quantock Ponies - image supplied by kind permission of Somerset Tourism, Somerset County Council

But Cannington should not be rushed - it is the home of Cannington College where many of the county's young farmers cut their teeth and start their career in earnest. The college gardens are a joy to behold as are the beautiful parish church, mediaeval buildings and fine pubs. Many of the villages have small home-craft industries operating from homes. Sign posts will direct the visitor to craft studios, shops selling home-grown produce and butchers selling local venison. The duck pond at East Quantoxhead, with the church in the background and the Court House, are so synonymous with the English countryside. Add to it the view looking out across the Bristol Channel, and it is idyllic.

The Quantocks then are for walkers and strollers. Coach trips do take place but the passengers are unable to appreciate the freshness of the air and the beauty of creation. A bus ride does not afford the opportunity to stop, pause, and take in the scenery.
Around every corner, and there are plenty, the scene changes, and thaf's the beauty of the Quantocks. Even the view out to sea slips and slides, creating an ever-changing aspect - on a clear day South Wales can be seen and nearer home the Mendips. Bridgwater is the major business centre for the Quantocks. It's a busy town, once a river port, but now an industrial centre. In mediaeval times ships reached the Mediterranean with Somerset products and returned from the western Atlantic with fish. The town was once the centre of the brick and tile industry as can be witnessed from the walls and roofs in the streets.

The Quantocks - or Cantuc as the Celts probably called them - rise steeply from the Somerset Levels' forming a north/south ridge about three miles wide and 12 miles. Man has used and shaped this landscape over thousands of years. Flint arrowheads have been found, showing that Neolithic man hunted here 6,000 years ago. Bronze Age people left their mark on the skyline with more than 60 burial mounds. Iron Age hill forts were built here for security.

On a clear day you can enjoy a stunning panorama stretching from the coast of south-west Wales to Glastonbury Tor and beyond, taking in Exmoor and the Welsh Hills. The Quantocks rise to 1000 feet in many places between the sea at St Audries and Hestercombe, near Taunton, with the highest point being Wills Neck (1261 feet).The slopes are covered in heather and bracken and a path runs along the top, linking many of the steep wooded coombes. Wildlife abounds, with red deer and other animals to be spotted. Horse riders and walkers are rewarded with marvellous views. Pretty villages shelter under the Quantocks' lower slopes and were an inspiration to the poets Wordsworth and Coleridge.

The Quantock Hills contain habitat of international importance, including Maritime Heathland.

In 1956 it was the first to be awarded the national status of Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Quantock Common is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest ( SSSI). The status serves to offer protection to this special landscape which contains habitat of international importance, for example nearly 10% of the world's maritime heathland lies within its boundaries. The hilltops are largely covered by open heathland which descends into areas of broadleaved woodland, forestry and farmland Many combes or valleys cut into the sides of the hills with villages and hamlets dotted around the lower slopes.

Quantock Hills

Quantock Hills Dog Pound

The hills themselves cover an area measuring some 12 miles by 4 and reach to a height of 384 meters (1,260 feet) at Will's Neck. Stretching from just north of the county town of Taunton they meet the Bristol Channel at their northern end. From the tops there are extensive views of the Brendon Hills and Exmoor to the west, the Blackdown Hills to the south-west and the Bridgwater Bay area to the east. This area is a mecca for those who partake in outdoor pursuits or indeed if you just want a leisurly stroll to take in the breathtaking scenery.

Quantock Hills Ponies

Thename Quantocks takes its origin from the Celtic word meaning rim, the interesting range of hill stretches from Broomfield towards the coast at West Quantoxhead. They form the background to the Vale of Taunton on one side and Bridgwater on the other. For the motorist, the Taunton to Minehead road and the West Somerset Railway follow the valley below the Quantocks very close to the pretty villages of Bishops Lydeard, West Bagborough, Crowcombe and Bicknoller. The hills were once unwelcoming common land crossed by prehistoric ways marked by ancient burial mounds and boundary stones. Now the lines of fine beech trees mark them out and together with other hardy specimens, they provide for a great variety of wildlife.

The Somerset Trust for Nature Conservation is based at Fyne Court, Broomfield, where staff are always willing to supply details of exhibitions and other connected events. On the eastern section of the Quantock Ridge the villages settle comfortably in deep coombes - the hamlets too give that picturesque cosy appearance. Every community seems to have its own important slice of history. Aisholt, for example was once the country retreat of famous poet Sir Henry Newbolt. Over Stowey boasted a castle, and Dodington was the bustling centre of copper mining. Holford once had a thriving tannery, but it has now been converted into a hotel, and at Alfoxton the Wordsworth family lived for a year but apparently upset the locals during their sojourn.

A tree near Alfoxton Park

The River Parrott ebbs and flows through the Quantock region. Beyond it lie the larger villages of Nether Stowey and Cannington, which can now be by-passed by the motorist in a hurry. Cannington is the home of Cannington College where many of the county's young farmers cut their teeth and start their career in earnest. The college gardens are a joy to behold as are the beautiful parish church, mediaeval buildings and fine pubs. The duck pond at East Quantoxhead, with the church in the background and the Court House, are synonymous with the English countryside. Add to it the view looking out across the Bristol Channel, and it is idyllic. The Quantocks Area of Natural Beauty AONB is roughly I8krri long and 5km wide, lying along a NW-SE line. Wills Neck is the highest point at 384m (1,261 ft). The coastal areas arouncj Kilve are of international importance because of their exposed rock layering and fossils. Hilltop prehistoric features include Bronze Age burial mounds (2700 - 4000 years old) and Iron Age banks/ditches indicating fortified camps or boundaries (2000 - 2700 years old).

The Quantocks have diverse habitats and wildlife. Buzzards and wild Red Deer can often be seen throughout the area. The ancient oak woodlands above Holford and tKe A39 are important to a variety of plants and animals including wood ants, pied flycatcher's, redstarts, ferns and lichens. Heathland is an internationally threatened wildlife habitat and ranger's work togettier with commoners to maintain it. Wildlife associated with this habitat include birds of prey, nightjar, dartford warbler, adder and emperor moth. In farmland areas beech hedgebanks are of high landscape importance and mixed hedges are particularly significant for wildlife. Permanent pasture for grazing animals is also important for skylarks, yellowhammer. and small mammals.
 

Quantock Hills Visitor Centre 

Contributed by: John Evans, Sheila Harwood, Jamie Letwin