We are delighted to bring you a new circular walk and hope you enjoy your time along the Radstock Ring. The following information has been provided to help guide you along the route. We hope you will enjoy your walks and look forward to any feedback you would like to provide, be it observations, amendments or inaccuracies of the description. Please forward these comments to
The Somer Valley is an area to the south west of Bath with a farming and industrial heritage. Its industries of shoe-making, sheepskin processing and printing have long-since disappeared and the two hundred years of the Somerset coalfield have left us with a wealth of hidden industrial remnants, canal sections, railway tracks, pit buildings and even an iconic single, conical, black slag heap. What once was must have been an area of chimneys, smoke, noise, coal dust and pit-winding gear has been restored to its original pastures, meadows, hills and valleys, with its pits long sealed, its slag heaps grassed and tree-covered and its peace and tranquility restored , to be walked and explored.
The towns of Radstock, Midsomer Norton and Westfield are at the core of the area with villages, large and small all around.
A few years ago, members of Somer Valley Ramblers decided to create a guide of walks to showcase the outstanding beauty of the area and to include its fascinating industrial and agricultural history, its wealth of fine buildings and unspoiled villages.
Radstock is the centre of the ‘Ring’ and the entire circuit, if walked as a continuous path, will be some forty nine miles in length, divided into manageable ‘day-length’ walks. Once the linear circuit is complete, sections will be divided into circular walks, each a comfortable day’s walk, so the whole will have the appearance of a chain of linked walks.
Footpaths and bridleways can be over some difficult terrain, so reasonable fitness and adequate equipment is vital. And no one needs to be reminded that our weather is varied and changeable! Some walking on country lanes and larger roads is inevitable, so be aware of traffic at all these times especially when crossing, and always try to walk facing the traffic, as conditions allow. There might also be occasions when unmanned level crossings are encountered, or possible horse gallops and even a grass aircraft landing strip. These will be highlighted in the text. There will be few, if any, litter bins, so please take any rubbish home. Always observe the Countryside Code, leaving gates as you find them, and keeping dogs under control at all times, and on a lead when necessary or when requested.
The Ring covers a beautiful, interesting and sometimes challenging area. Wherever you choose to start and however much of the Ring you cover, you will not be disappointed.
Lullington to Norton St Philip
Gurney Slade to Stoke St Michael