The Coleridge Way is a 36 mile trail from Nether Stowey on the Quantock Hills to Porlock on Exmoor. Inspired by Samuel Coleridge, who lived in a cottage in Nether Stowey for three years, the path follows over the countryside that he and fellow poet and friend William Wordsworth liked to ramble, helping create some of their most famous works. Wordsworth lodged at Alfoxton Park in Holford for about a year. It is believed that Coleridge penned some of 'Kubla Khan' at Porlock and certainly 'the Rime of the Ancient Mariner' at Watchet, a small harbour town on the Bristol Channel. Coleridge's cottage is now a museum run by the National Trust and is open most days.

The walk is a mixture of moorland and farmland with plenty of woodland tracks to follow, the highest point being Lype Hill on the Brendon Hills at 423 metres. A short detour can be made to Dunkery Beacon, the highest point in Somerset at 519 metres to gain outstanding views over three counties and Wales across the channel. Suitable for a long weekend the walk offers plenty to see and places to stay in the pretty villages en route and there is always the chance that you will see the splendid red deer on the Quantocks or Exmoor. Circular walks can also be factored in if you are making a longer stay from one base. 

Strangely, considering its strong connection, Watchet is not on the Coleridge Way, but Jim and Sue have walked a link route from Sampford Brett via the Macmillan Way and the West Somerset Coast Path, through Williton to Watchet (details of which are on this site). 'The Way' is rejoined at Roadwater via the Old Mineral Line. Whilst in Watchet a visit to the small museum is well worth it as more information about Coleridge and the area can be obtained.

Further information about the Coleridge Way can be obtained from : www.quantockonline.co.uk or www.coleridgeway.co.uk where instructions and route maps can be downloaded.