The River Parrett Trail

Location: Dorset, Somerset

OS Maps: Explorer 116, 129, 140

The River Parrett is one of the main rivers draining the Somerset Levels, or Plain of Sedgemoor. It's source is the green hills on the Dorset and South Somerset border at Chedington, from where it flows northwards to enter the Bristol Channel near Burnham on Sea. The River Parrett Trail is one of England's beautiful 'source to mouth' river routes all of which offer fabulous walking enhanced by the facinating presence of water. The River Parrett Trail can be enjoyed as a 50 mile hike over 3 or 4 days or as a series of shorter walks exploring some of England's most beautiful, intriguing but also fragile countryside. Walking is the best way of visiting these landscapes without creating the pressures that could spoil them, whilst giving you the time to discover why they are so special. This is comfortable walking through the gentle hills of the Dorset and Somerset borders and across the wetlands of the Somerset Levels and Moors. It is also a facinating journey through orchards, woods, withy beds and the watery haunts of birds and fishermen; passing limestone cottages, Georgian terraces, elegant mediaeval churches and the elaborate pattern of rhynes and water courses of the low land. On the way you can visit Ham Hill - the site of one of Europe's largest Iron Age hill forts, Stoke St. Gregory - the heart of the Somerset willow growing and basket making industry, Burrow Mump and Athelney - where the Saxon King Alfred found a refuge from the Vikings (and burnt the cakes).

At Ham Hill the route links with the Liberty Trail and the Leland Trail.

Guide Book: [Click for further information or to purchase]

The River Parrett Trail by Somerset District Council. In this loose leaf guide pack you will find - Background information about the River Parrett landscapes; Nine laminated pull out map sections with route instructions that will guide you from source to mouth, with information about places you may visit; The location of pubs and attractions; information about places to stay and how to get there; a children's trail finding 'clues' in the landscape; information about the arts and craftwork to be found on the Trail.