St Michael's Hill walk at Montacute
Somerset
A 2-mile walk through parkland and apple orchards at Montacute House, before climbing to the site of a medieval castle and Cluniac priory, with spectacular views of the countryside.
Near to
Montacute HouseStart point
Montacute House car park, grid ref: ST499172Trail information
Total stages: 13
Total stages: 13
Start point
Montacute House car park, grid ref: ST499172
Stage 1
From Montacute House car park, follow signs to the Parkland, passing the greenhouses, through the yew hedge and along the gravel path to the park and the starting point. Turn left when you reach the Parkland and walk along in front of the house and along the edge of the formal garden until you reach a clump of trees where the formal garden ends.
Stage 2
Turn left along the edge of the formal garden, and then drop down diagonally to a kissing gate close to a small stream.
Stage 3
Follow the path through an apple orchard until you reach a kissing gate leading onto a road.
Stage 4
Cross the road and turn left. Walk along the pavement until you reach break in the wall, just past the children's play area.
Stage 5
Turn right into the playing fields. Keep left along the edge of the field until you reach a kissing gate.
Stage 6
Bear right diagonally up the hill, through another gate and climb to the edge of the woodland.
Stage 7
Circle the woodland edge until you reach a large gate.
Stage 8
Follow the path that winds up the hill to the top. Look out for the earthworks that formed part of the 11th century castle.
Stage 9
Enjoy the view! Then retrace your steps down to the gate at the edge of the woodland, and turn left.
Stage 10
Follow the woodland's edge round the hill, dropping down to a gate leading on to a tarmacked drive.
Stage 11
Follow the drive with the Abbey farmhouse on your right, then turn left past the church.
Stage 12
When you reach Middle Street, turn right and walk along the pavement till you see the entrance to Montacute House.
Stage 13
Follow the driveway back to the car park
End point
Montacute House car park, grid ref: ST499172
Trail map
St Michael's Hill walk at Montacute, Somerset | © Crown Copyright and database right 2024 Ordnance Survey
