Ilminster Walks
A circular walk around the town of Ilminster, visiting the River Isle and the countryside surrounding the town.
The town is located in south west Somerset, just to the east of the Blackdown Hills.
The route starts in the town centre and follows a public footpath west through the countryside to Cold Harbour and the River Isle. Here you can follow a public footpath north along the river for about a mile. You then leave the river and follow other paths through Winterhay Green to return to the town. It's a pretty area with farmland surrounding the river and views towards the Blackdown Hills to enjoy.
Ilminster Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Ilminster Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Ilminster OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Ilminster Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Ilminster
- Castle Neroche - This circular walk visits the site of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle in the Blackdown Hills
- Chard Reservoir - Enjoy an easy circular walk around this pretty reservoir in Somerset
- Otterhead Lakes - This lovely little nature reserve in Otterford has some nice footpaths taking you along the two lakes and the River Otter
- Staple Fitzpaine Herepath - This is a shared cycle and walking bridleway which forms a loop around Staple Fitzpaine in the beautiful Blackdown Hills AONB
- River Parret Trail - Follow the River Parrett from the source in Chedington in Dorset to the mouth in Bridgwater Bay, Somerset.
The route first heads to Langport passing Haselbury and the 16th century English Heritage owned Muchelney Abbey - Dillington House - This walk visits the 16th century Dillington House near Ilminster in Somerset.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To continue your walking in the area head west from the town to visit Castle Neroche. Here you'll find woodland trails and the site of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle and Iron Age Hillfort. The site also commands fine views over the Quantock Hills and Mendips. The long distance Staple Fitzpaine Herepath can be picked up at the park at the castle. The shared cycling and walking bridleway will take you to Thurlbear Wood where there's some fine ancient woodland, wildflowers and lots of wildlife to see.
If you head south of the town you can enjoy some more nice waterside trails around Chard Reservoir. Head east and you can pick up the River Parret Trail near South Petherton.
Just to the north east of the town there's the lovely Dillington House to visit. The 16th century house is surrounded by beautiful parkland, woodland and gardens.
For more walks in the AONB see the Blackdown Hills Walks page.
Photos
Bridge across River Isle. The bridge formerly carried the Ilminster-Taunton railway line across the river, which is flowing away from the camera. A mass of water crowfoot is in flower.
River Isle. Cattle graze on the far bank of the river, widened here by what must be a rather deep ford where farm vehicles have crossed between fields
River Isle at Winterhay Farm. View of the ford, with some of the farm buildings shown. The river is flowing to the left.
Winterhay Farm seen from the footbridge that carries footpath CH4/11 across the River Isle. The wood in the background is on Beacon Hill, just north of Ilminster.
The Market Place, Ilminster
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The Meeting House