Somerset

Drove Road, Great and Marrow Hills walk

A wide earth track with overhanging beech trees and dappled sunlight shining through the branches — Drove Road in the Quantocks, Somerset | © Jim Elliot

Walk along ancient trackways that humans have used for hundreds of years, while enjoying the stunning views and quiet beauty of this part of Somerset's Quantock Hills.

Near to

Fyne Court

Start point

Crowcombe Park Gate car park, TA4 4AB. Grid ref: ST150375

Address
Crowcombe Park Gate car park, TA4 4AB
Directions via Google Maps
On foot
From the centre of Crowcombe (road junction between church and school) take road up Crowcombe Combe, signposted Over Stowey. A steep climb on a metalled road to cattle grid, then West Hill entrance stile.
By bus
First Bus 28 and Webber Bus 18, Taunton to Minehead, alight main road adjacent to Crowcombe village. Walk into village. From centre of Crowcombe (road junction between church and school) take road up Crowcombe Combe, signposted Over Stowey. A steep climb on a metalled road to cattle grid, then West Hill entrance stile.
Cycling
Bridleway networks across the surrounding hills or roads from adjacent villages.
By road
From north take junction 23/24 on M5. At Bridgwater take A39 towards Minehead, follow signs for Over Stowey then Crowcombe. West Hill entrance is on left just prior to descending the hill into Crowcombe.
From south take junction 26/25 on M5. At Taunton take A358 to Crowcombe then drive up Crowcombe Combe. From centre of Crowcombe (road junction between church and school) take road up Crowcombe Combe, signposted Over Stowey. A steep climb on a metalled road to cattle grid, then West Hill entrance stile.
From Minehead take A39/A358 to Crowcombe, then as above.
Total stages: 10
Total stages: 10
Start point
Crowcombe Park Gate car park, TA4 4AB. Grid ref: ST150375
Stage 1
From the West Hill sign, follow the track in the direction of Triscombe Stone, as signposted.
Field and parish boundaries
There are substantial beech hedgebanks as a result of the Enclosure Act in the early 19th century. Those marking parish boundaries (as existed at the time) have had their banks inlaid with stone. Beech trees are shallow rooted and the tree in Triscombe Combe displays its magnificent root system, clinging on to the remains of a hedgebank. These trees are not as long-lived as oak trees – a normal lifespan is about 350 years – as their shallow roots are often uprooted by strong winds.
Stage 2
Roughly 230 yards (200 metres) from the start, go through the gate at the National Trust boundary and continue along the Drove Road. After another 430 yards (400 metres), the left-hand section of the track drops into a gully where numerous beech trees grow across the track as well as in the hedgebanks.
Flora and fauna
On this Atlantic heathland look out for heather and gorse, as well as bell heather and bilberry. You'll also see oak, hawthorn, hazel, holly, larch and a number of other tree species. According to season, listen out for skylark, meadow pipit, yellowhammer, jay, redpoll and other birdsong. At the southern end of Ladybird Wood (at the bottom of Great Hill), Wills Neck comes into view behind the trees. This section of the wood is a coniferous plantation with such species as larch, Scots pine and Douglas fir. The other end of the wood contains holly, elder, hawthorn, oak, beech, rowan and coppiced hazel trees.
Stage 3
Once through this copse, there are gates on the right. Go through the gates, navigate around the pond and proceed down Little Quantock Combe, keeping the beech hedgebank on your right. The slope downhill is moderately steep, with views over the vale below and onto the Brendon Hills and Exmoor beyond.
Stage 4
As you approach the bottom of the combe there are double metal gates. Turn left up a steep slope before the gates and proceed along the path at the bottom of Great Hill. This path is a mix of steep and level sections. Look out for old hawthorn bushes, oak trees and foxgloves along this path.
Stage 5
Continue along the path, keeping the stock fence on your right, until you reach a row of beech trees in a bank to your left. Go through the gate and continue on through Ladybird Wood, initially through oak, hawthorn, holly, elder and coppiced hazel and then into the conifer section with Wills Neck 420 yards (384 metres high) as the background.
Stage 6
Emerging from the wood, bear left and head up Triscombe Combe. Notice the disused quarry to the left and the exposed roots of the beech trees in the bank. It's moderately steep at this point.
Stage 7
About two thirds of the way up the combe, follow the track to the right, going diagonally up and across Marrow Hill, ignoring a subsequent fork to the left.
Stage 8
Continue across Marrow Hill until you reach a stile between two beech trees. Go over the stile and head diagonally to the top corner of the field. There's a good view of the disused Triscombe quarry to your right.
Stage 9
At Triscombe Stone proceed left along the Drove Road. Admire the ancient beech trees that form the avenue of this road.
Stage 10
Pass through the National Trust boundary at these gates and continue along the road back to the start position. As well as the scene towards Exmoor to the left there are some good views of the combes of the Quantock Forest to the right as you walk back.
End point
Crowcombe Park Gate car park, TA4 4AB. Grid ref: ST150375
Trail map
Drove Road, Great and Marrow Hills, Somerset map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Broomfield, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 2EQ

01823451587

fynecourt@nationaltrust.org.uk

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