Somerton Strolls Walk 13 – Etsome and Park
Distance: 11.8km/7.3m
To Etsome and a walk along the River Cary returning via Park
The section alongside the river can be muddy when wet but is very serene
Leave car park, turn left into West Street and immediately left through the kissing gate to follow path alongside the railway cutting as far as Behind Berry opposite the cemetery. Go L for 50m then R along Pinewood and at the T-junction turn L into Beech Grove with good views over the fishing lakes and along the Cary valley. Proceed ahead into Cary Way and where the houses end, go straight ahead and follow this level road with excellent views to Copley Wood and Gilling Down, with its coloured strata. After 1Km the road starts to descend and 400m further crosses over the river Cary. After 20m go L (SP Public Footpath) cross a small footbridge and continue along the left hand edge of the field close to the river Cary where a variety of wildlife can be seen. After 1.3Km reach a tarmac road at Somerton Door Bridge and continue alongside the river (SP Pitney Steart Bridge 1m) to pass Park Bridge with no side walls, and continue close to the river to a gate to emerge on to a track. Almost immediately turn L across Pitney Steart Bridge and follow the tarmac lane for 700m to a T-junction by a pond in the hamlet of Park. Turn L (SP Somerton) and follow the road with more fine views across the Cary valley. After 2Km ignore the left turn to Somerton Door but proceed another 700m up the hill and take the sharp right turn at the top (SP Westcombe). After 200m turn left and proceed to a T-junction. Go straight ahead into a field with hedge on right to reach another gate and an enclosed track, which emerges on to Langport Road opposite the Sports Field. Turn L and continue to the junction at Russett Road and turn L into Northfield for 20m then R into Behind Berry. At the end turn R at the T-junction then bear L at the mini-roundabout to reach The Triangle, West Street and the car park.
Checked October 2020