Castle Cary Walks
This attractive Somerset based market town is well located with several waymarked footpaths heading into the countryside in all directions. The town itself is also an interesting place for a stroll with several noteworthy old buildings including the Market House, the Round House and the 15th century George Inn.
This walk from the town heads south to visit the historic Cadbury Castle. The castle is one of the highlights of the area and can be reach on foot from the town on waymarked footpaths within a couple of hours.
The walk starts in the town centre where you can pick up the the Leland Trail and the Macmillan Way. You could also start from the train station just to the north of the town. These waymarked trails then head south through the countryside towards Galhampton, North Cadbury and South Cadbury before coming to the castle. The Iron Age hillfort is thought to be the site of King Arthur's Camelot. You can climb the hill for splendid views over the area.
The route returns to the town on similar paths, save for using a section of the Monarch's Way which you can pick up around North Cadbury. This creates a circular loop on the route around the Galhampton area.
Castle Cary Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Castle Cary Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Castle Cary OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Castle Cary Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Head to the historic George Inn for some post walk refreshment. The quaint old inn dates all the way back to the 15th century. There's a charming olde worlde interior including an inglenook fireplace with an elm beam, said to date back to the 10th century. You can find them on the Market Place with a postcode of BA7 7AH for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The country trails make for a fine dog walk and the George Inn mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To continue your walking in the area you could north east towards the neighbouring town of Bruton. Here you can visit the town's 15th century packhorse bridge over the River Brue and the interesting 16th century Bruton Dovecote on a hill just outside the town. The Bruton Walk will take you King Alfred's Tower and the stunning gardens at the National Trust's Stourhead estate.
The town is also not far from Glastonbury where you can enjoy a climb to Glastonbury Tor and enjoy easy trails along the Glastonbury Canal.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Somerset Walks and the Cranborne Chase Walks pages.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
View towards Castle Cary
Castle Cary horsepond. Horsepond in foreground, with war memorial, both in square. Church behind in next square.
Castle Cary. The ruins of the Castle are surrounded by a caravan and campsite.
Street Scene, Castle Cary. It is a pretty, honey coloured market town, with a very good range of quality independent retailers. Most of them are built of 'Ham' stone from nearby quarries, which gives the town's buildings their lovely golden colour.
The old Market House dating from 1855. It replaced the former house on the site which had stood since 1616, and incorporating some features from the earlier building. The market house contains the local Castle Cary and District Museum. There is a varied collection of exhibits spread over the two floors of the building.
The western ramparts of Cadbury Castle, looking south towards Parrock Hill and Corton Ridge. There is a double set of ramparts, with this moat between them, encircling the hilltop, with just one access point at the north-east corner. From the Neolithic Age (3000BC) to the early 11th century, the fortress of Cadbury was in turn a military stronghold, centre of trade and culture, and probably the focus of a religious cult; by the early 16th century folklore identified with the Camelot of Arthurian romance.
The Round House, another old building to see in the town. It was previously a village lock-up built in 1779.
The George Hotel in Castle Cary. The thatched pub dates back over 500 years.