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The countryside around Wellington Monument, Somerset
The countryside around Wellington Monument, Somerset | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey
Somerset

Monument meander at Wellington

Take a walk to the monument through a beech-lined avenue that opens out onto a wildlife rich meadow. This is an ideal place to fly your kite or stop for far-reaching views. Stop to take in the world's tallest three-sided obelisk, a tribute to the 'Iron Duke', before descending into the depths of Firs Plantation.

Come prepared

This walk covers uneven ground with some exposed tree roots. Walking boots are recommended.

Total steps: 8

Total steps: 8

Start point

Wellington Monument car park, grid ref: ST143167

Step 1

Starting from the car park head down the wide beech-lined avenue.

Step 2

At the end of the avenue you'll come out to the edge of an area of grassland. Head across the grassland directly towards the Monument.

Step 3

Bear to the right-hand side of the monument. Go around it until you come to a gravel path and steps that head down into the woodland. Follow these steps down into the beech woodland and then further down along a slope.

Green hairstreak butterfly on a blade of grass at Bradenham, Buckinghamshire
Green hairstreak butterfly on a blade of grass at Wellington Monument, Somerset | © National Trust Images / Hugh Mothersole

Step 4

Near the bottom of the slope, there's a waymarker on your left with a path leading away behind it. Follow this path. This is the boundary path along the bottom of the woodland and can be quite muddy.

A blue nuthatch perched on a tree branch at Quarry Bank Mill
Nuthatch perched on a tree in woodland at Wellington Monument, Somerset | © National Trust Images / Derek Hatton

Step 5

After a short while you'll come to a bank with old beech trees growing on it and a wooden gate directly in front of you. Turn left before the gate and, keeping the bank on your right, follow the track gently upwards.

Step 6

After a short distance the track curves left and goes steeply uphill, keep following this track along, with another hedge bank immediately on your left. At the top of the slope the track widens out. Take care as the area has many tree roots in it.

Step 7

Go through a gap in the earth bank which crosses your path. A few steps further ahead you'll come back onto the edge of the grassland around the monument.

Step 8

Follow the track around the edge of the grassland and then back down the beech avenue to the car park.

End point

Wellington Monument car park, grid ref: ST143167

Trail map

Trail map for monument meander walk at Wellington, Somerset
Trail map for monument meander walk at Wellington, Somerset | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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