Norton St Philip Walks
This charming Somerset village includes a historic church and a notable ancient pub which dates back to the 14th century. For walkers there's some fine country trails with views of the nearby Mendip Hills to enjoy.
This circular walk from the village visits the neighbouring settlements of Stony Littleton and Wellow. On the way there's some nice country trails, and a waterside path along the Wellow Brook to enjoy. At Stony Littleton you have the option of following the brook to nearby Radstock. Around here you will also pass the noteworthy Stony Littleton long barrow as well.
The walk starts in the village and follows footpaths west to Hassage, Ramsgate Wood and Stony Littleton. You then turn north following a trail along the Wellow Brook to Wellow, passing the ancient Long Barrow and medieval pack horse bridge on the way. The route then follows Norton Lane and Wellow Lane south east to return to the village.
Postcode
BA2 7LH - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsNorton St Philip Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Norton St Philip Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Norton St Philip OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Norton St Philip Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Norton St Philip
- Radstock - This Somerset based town is located on the northern slopes of the Mendip Hills and also close to the Cotswolds Hills AONB
- Midsomer Norton - This Somerset based town is located near the Mendip Hills where there are plenty of opportunites for walkers
- Limestone Link - Starting at Cold Ashton in St Catherine's Valley, Gloucestershire follow the Limestone Link from the Cotswolds to the Mendip Hills in Somerset.
The walk first heads south towards Batheaston where you join the River Avon and the Kennet and Avon Canal for a lovely waterside stretch to Monkton Coombe - Greyfield Woods - These pretty woods near the village of High Littleton have some nice woodland trails to try
- Chew Valley Lake - This walk follows the delightful nature trail which runs along the eastern side of this large lake in Chew Stoke
- Three Peaks Walk - This is a fairly hilly circular route taking you through some of the most peaceful and attractive countryside in Somerset.
The walk starts and finishes in the pretty village of Chew Magna and follows the path to Pensford and then back via Clutton.
You will climb Knowle Hill, Maes Knoll, and Blackberry Hill (three peaks) while enjoying excellent views of the Mendip Hills, Dundry Hill and the surrounding Chew Valley countryside - Mells River Walk - Enjoy an easy riverside stroll on this walk from the village of Mells to Frome in Somerset.
The pretty village is noted for several interesting old buildings including the 16th-century Mells Manor and the Talbot Inn which dates from the 15th century and is Grade II listed. The fine inn was voted Sunday Times Hotel of the Year in 2013.
Starting from Mells you follow the river east through the Wadbury Valley to Great Elm, passing the Old Iron Works on the way - Shepton Mallet - Visit the Charlton viaduct and the village of Doulting on this circular walk in the Somerset town of Shepton Mallet.
Just to the north of the town you can pick up the East Mendip Way on Barren Down - Frome - The Somerset town of Frome has some lovely trails to follow through the surrounding countryside
- Heaven's Gate Longleat - Enjoy wonderful views over the Longleat Estate and the surrounding Wiltshire countryside on this short walk near Warminster
- Trowbridge Park and River Walk - A short circular walk through Trowbridge Park and along the River Biss.
The walk starts in Trowbridge Park, just to the east of the train station - Bath Canal Walk - This is a popular walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bath to Bradford on Avon
- Bath Skyline Walk - Enjoy wonderful views of the city of Bath on this popular circular walk
- Bradford on Avon Canal and River Walk - The West Wiltshire town of Bradford on Avon is a great place for walkers, officially recognised as a Walkers are Welcome town
- Bradford on Avon to Devizes Canal Walk - This walk follows a section of the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bradford on Avon to Devizes
- Kennet and Avon Canal Walk - A splendid waterside walk from the Thames at Reading, through Thatcham, Newbury, Hungerford, Great Bedwyn, Pewsey, Devizes, Bradford on Avon to Bath
- Paulton - This former coal mining village is located north of the Mendip Hills in Somerset
- Litton Reservoir - This circular walk visits the Litton Reservoirs in the village of Litton in the Mendip Hills area of Somerset.
Pubs/Cafes
Back in the village head to the historic George Inn for post walk refreshments. The fine looking timber framed pub dates back to 1397 and claims to be the oldest pub in the country. It is Grade I listed and includes a splendid garden area with great views over the village and the surrounding countryside. You can find them on the High Street at postcode BA2 7LH for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The country and woodland trails make for a fine dog walk. The George Inn mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head north and you can pick up the Bradford on Avon Canal and River Walk and Bradford on Avon to Devizes Canal Walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Somerset Walks and the Mendip Hills Walks pages.
Photos
Norton St Philip
The Church of St Philip & St James, Norton St Philip. The church dates from the 14th century and was restored in 1847 by St George Gilbert Scott. It is built of Doulting Stone and is Grade II listed. It is within the Diocese of Bath and Wells.
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Dovecote and house, Norton St Philip
The George Inn at Norton St Philip Dating from the C14 or C15, this ancient hostelry has been associated with many historical figures, including the Duke of Monmouth, Cromwell, Judge Jeffreys, and Samuel Pepys to name but a few. The oversailing timber framed frontage was added after a fire in the C16, whilst the original ground floor is of stone. An important Grade I Listed building. The inn was later used as the headquarters of Monmouth's army, during the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685, after his retreat from Bath. In the aftermath of the failed rebellion Judge Jeffreys used the George Inn as a courtroom and conducted 12 executions on the village common, as part of the Bloody Assizes. The building has been used as a setting for films such as The Remains of the Day, Tom Jones, and The Canterbury Tales, as well as in the television adaptations of Persuasion by Jane Austen and Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe.
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Stony Littleton Long Barrow. It is one of the country's finest accessible examples of a Neolithic chambered tomb. Dating from about 3500 BC, it is 30 metres long and has multiple burial chambers open to view. There are fine views of the surrounding countryside from the elevated position of the site.
Cottage near Stony Littleton. A narrow byway drops from the western end of Wellow village down to Faulkland Lane. We can see the lane as it passes this delightful cottage near the junction. Stony Littleton is along Faulkland Lane to our left.
Late Medieval packhorse bridge over Wellow Brook at Mill Hill, Wellow, Somerset
Wellow: ford Looking north-north-west on the lane from Baggeridge Hill, at the foot of Wellow Village. The ford provides a crossing of the Wellow Brook by the old packhorse bridge