Somerset Coast Walk - Day 7: Bridgwater to Highbridge

Walk: Somerset Coast - Day 7: Bridgwater to Highbridge

This is a fantastic opportunity to join walkers on the 80 Miles in Eight Days Challenge for part of their walk.

On the penultimate day of our walk we set out from Bridgwater on the King Charles III England Coast Path which takes us round a large oxbow bend that encloses the Pawlett Hams. Pawlett was recorded in the Domesday Book as having six households, but by the 12th century it was noted as the richest 2,000 acres in England. Pawlett Hams are a haven for wildlife and birds as well as being the site of research into anti-barrage balloon warfare during World War II - the large building you can see next to the trail is a barrage balloon hanger from this time.

At the end of the Hams we reach the River Huntspill,a five mile long, artificial river created in 1940 to supply process water to the ROF (Royal Ordnance Factory) Bridgwater for the manufacture of munitions during World War II. Today, it serves as an important drainage feature, helping to reduce flooding in the lower Brue Valley, as well as providing an overwintering habitat for migratory waterbirds.

Continuing along the banks of the Parrett we reach the River Brue and the town of Highbridge. Like the River Huntspill, the estuary here is a roost for birds such as Redshank and Dunlin, and the walk along the flood bund affords great views of the sea and the countryside, including the peak of Brent Knoll to the north. We end the day at Apex Park an award winning 42 acre park and wildlife centre, created on the site of a former clay pit and brickwork factory.

Along the entire Challenge route there are stamping stations for the Somerset & Exmoor Coast Trail Passport with maps, diary pages and spaces to collect stamps on your walk.

Look out for events, offers and promotions at the location of the walk each day, some of our supporters are timing activities to make your trip as enjoyable as possible with special treats such as packed lunches or cream teas available at the start or end of your day’s walking.

Due to the challenge nature for some participants of this walk, we have made the decision not to accept dogs on the walk.

Full details of the itinerary and walk leaders will be distributed prior to the start of the challenge.

Itinerary:

We meet at the end point of your day’s walking at 9am, where there will be parking available. Here you will be joined by Walk Leaders and back-markers and driven to the start location to walk back to your car / transport.

At the start location, walkers opting not to use our transport may join and, following a briefing for the day, the walk will begin.

Where public transport is available at start and / or end locations it is shown below as PTS (public transport available at the start) or PTE (public transport available at the end), this is based on services running as normal for the time of year.

Further information will be included in the walk information pack sent out before the walks.

Day 7 – Bridgwater to Highbridge(Moderate) (PTS + PTE)

Terrain:

Difficulty level - Moderate

Distance - 13 miles

Duration - 5 - 7 hours

Day 7 on the King Charles III England Coast Path is on terrain that would be considered easy (flat with no stiles), however we have classed it as moderate given the distance to be walked.