These boots were made for walking.....

Stocklinch Shepherds Hut is wonderfully placed to enjoy lots of lovely walks in this hidden corner of Somerset so I've been very busy updating the "Walking in Somerset" page on the website to entice you to come and experience this beautiful countryside for yourself!

No matter what direction you head in, there are plenty of opportunities to take in the scenery and admire the wonderful views to be had looking out across the Somerset countryside.

Sitting on the steps of the hut in the sunshine drinking a local Perry's Somerset cider is the perfect spot to plan your route and with the selection of maps, books and guides books available inside the hut for you to browse through, you'll be spoilt for ideas on where to go.

If it's a shortish, local walk you're looking for, my "Favourite Walk" will take you from the steps of the hut up and around the village. You could extend this walk with a pub lunch at The Barrington Boar or The Duke of York in Shepton Beauchamp. Or alternatively head over to Barrington Court to admire their stunning gardens and stop for a bite of lunch. And there is, The Pottery Kitchen at Denis Chinaworks with a delightful tea garden where you can enjoy coffee, cakes and light lunches.

The Stocklinch Village website has several other suggestions for local walks or you could grab the map and be adventurous!

And if you feel like doing something more ambitious, then within a 10 mile radius of the hut there are 5 long distance walking routes snaking across the south somerset countryside and beyond.

The closest route is the River Parrett Trail, a 48 mile route that passes through beautiful, tranquil Somerset countryside with lots of opportunities to stop off and explore market towns and villages along the way.

From the top of nearby Ham HIll, one of Europe's largest iron age hill fort, you can start on the Liberty Trail, a 30 mile route that recreates the journey of villagers from Somerset and Dorset who walked to Lyme Regis in 1685 to show their support for the Monmouth Rebellion.

Finishing at Ham Hill is the Leland Trail a gentle South Somerset walk starting at King Alfred's Tower following the route taken by John Leland in the 16th century as he travelled through Somerset making an inventory of the country for Henry VIII.

Again passing through the Ham Hill spaghetti junction is a section of the Monarch's Way a long-distance footpath in England that approximates the escape route taken by King Charles II in 1651 after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester.

You can also pick up the Somerset section of the long distance MacMillan Way as it passes through the Somerset levels and up on to Exmoor finishing on the north Devon coast.

This is just a very small selection of the walking options for you to try.

If you would like any more suggestions or help planning your walking holiday here with us, then please do not hestitate to get in touch.

And don't forget, any aches and pains can be eased by a long, lazy soak in the hot tub - the perfect end to a perfect day!