Somerton Strolls Walk 6 – Etsome Hill and Littleton
Distance: 11.7km/7.3m
Etsome Hill, a walk across the moors and through Littleton
The section across the moors can be fairly muddy in winter and in wet spells
Leave car park and turn R along West Street. At The Triangle, fork R by the post box towards Langport and take second road on L, West End. After 250m, turn R along Camden Road and at grass triangle R again. At main road, cross over, go L and immediately R through a pedestrian section to reach Northfield and after 500m at a T junction just beyond the new school building turn L by sign “Cary Way” into a No Through Road. 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 200m further on, turn L into a broad track (SP Bridleway) and enjoy the views to High Ham and across to Somerton Moor. After 1.1Km at top of sharp incline, turn R by fingerpost to descend sharply to tarmac road. Turn R to pass Somerton Door Farm, cross the bridge over the River Cary and at the end of the bridge parapet, turn right (SP Etsome Bridge ¾m) alongside the serene River Cary. Follow the river to reach a small footbridge and emerge near Etsome Farm. Turn L and after passing the large building, bear R along a track (SP Littleton ½m) and after 300m go over a stream, through a metal gate and follow the well-defined track across two fields to emerge at a broad cross track by a new farm building. Turn R and follow for 0.8Km through the hamlet of Littleton to reach the busy B3151. Turn L, cross with care, follow for 300m and turn R (no SP) through a metal gate almost opposite a farm track. Go along the field with the hedge on the left, then across a footbridge and continue again with the hedge on the left to the top of the second field and take the stile on the left. Turn R after the stile to head up a shallow gully through woods for 100m to a second stile. Climb the steps up the steep bank ahead to a waymark and continue straight across the field aiming for a tarmac track to the left of the modern house. Continue along this track and just beyond the large barn on the left, go through the metal gate on the right and follow the right hand hedge down the field through a kissing gate to emerge by a cottage on to a tarmac lane. Go ahead under the railway bridge and follow the lane for 600m to join the B3153. Bear R and continue with care for 300m to a T-junction. Turn L, cross over and follow the pavement as it crosses the Cary Bridge with a fine view of the viaduct. At the end of the pavement, turn R (SP Somerton) and after 100m, by a small gas installation building, bear L up a grassy track to emerge in New Street. Continue straight ahead to reach Cow Square, and then continue ahead to the left of the restored trough and Old Hall. Here, turn L and follow the path through the churchyard to reach the Market Square. Turn R into West Street, along which the car park is reached on the right.
Checked August 2020