Somerset

Selworthy and Bury Castle circular walk

This three-mile circular walk incorporates some of the finest views on Exmoor, with a steady climb from Selworthy village up to the highest point at Selworthy Beacon. Along the way, you'll get to explore an Iron Age enclosure known as Bury Castle.

Near to

Selworthy

Start point

Selworthy car park (National Trust), grid ref: SS920467

Address
Holnicote Estate, Somerset
Directions via Google Maps
On foot
Access from Selworthy via road. Access from Allerford via woodland paths.
By bus
Service 39 and 300 run between Minehad and Lynmouth. Winter and summer timetables vary. Alight at the bus stop opposite the road to Selworthy village.
By road
Take the A39 road to Selworthy, turn right at brown sign marked Selworthy village. Continue up that hill to the National Trust car park.
Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
Selworthy car park (National Trust), grid ref: SS920467
Stage 1
Leave the car park via the way you drove in and turn right to walk down the lane towards the church. On reaching the war memorial, turn right up the hill towards the gate. Once through the gate, follow the path to the left and head down towards the stream. Cross the stream via the footbridge and go through the gate which is directly ahead.
Selworthy church
The striking white, lime-washed All Saints church consists of a 14th-century tower with later chancel and porch. There's been a church on this site since the 12th century, but the original church would have been much smaller. The two yew trees in the churchyard were planted by Sir Thomas Dyke Acland in 1860 - one to commemorate the 90th birthday of the rector; the other to mark his own 73rd birthday. Dunkery Beacon can be seen from the churchyard.
Stage 2
Take the path ahead, ignoring the steep route to Bury Castle on your right. After about 985ft (300m), take a right turn. The path climbs quite steeply in places.
Stage 3
Where the track swings sharply to the left, head right up the small path, signed Bury Castle, and follow the narrow path to the left as it bends up the hill. Head for the gate, keeping the stone bank on your left.
Stage 4
Follow the path up the hill until it bears left around the spur of the hill. As you leave the trees, the earthworks of Bury Castle can be seen on the right. Take one of the grassy paths to explore.
Stage 5
Return to the main path and continue through an area of bracken and gorse, keeping the woodland on your left. When you see a gate in the wall on your left, turn right (signed Selworthy Beacon) and follow the path straight up the hill.
Stage 6
At the fork in the path, bear right. At the next junction, bear left and head towards the tree line. Where the path forks on the edge of the Scot's pine plantation, turn right and head towards the memorial hut.
Stage 7
From the hut, head for the road and cross. Take the path which climbs steadily up towards Selworthy Beacon. After taking a look at the views from the top, take the path that you passed (on the left as you approached) just before reaching the beacon.
Stage 8
Continue along the track until you join the South West Coast Path. Keeping the fields on your right, continue until you reach an open area (about half a mile), where there are fine views of the Exmoor coast on your left. Here, double back on yourself (ignoring the path straight ahead) and follow this path until you reach a large mound.
Stage 9
Beyond the mound, take the right track fork, which leads you back towards Bossington Hill car park. Cross the car park and take the ‘Easy Access Trail’ that runs parallel to the road back to the wind and weather hut. Just before reaching the hut, bear left back towards the road.
Stage 10
Don't cross the road, but take the bridleway down Folly Combe (signed Selworthy). When you reach the main Selworthy Combe path, turn right and follow the path.
Stage 11
Go through the gate back to Selworthy village and return to the car park.
End point
Selworthy car park (National Trust), grid ref: SS920467
Trail map
Selworthy and Bury Castle circular walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Walking in Selworthy Woods on the Holnicote Estate, Somerset

Trail

Walking in Exmoor: Day one

Discover an 8-mile walk through Selworthy village to Selworthy Woods. Take in far-reaching panoramic views from Selworthy Beacon before descending to Bossington's pebble beach. Enjoy history with coastal and countryside views along the way.

on Exmoor, near Minehead, Somerset

01643862452

selworthy@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner

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