Grand Western Canal Walk 3
Route facts
Waterways:
Grand Western Canal »
Duration: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Circular route from: Fossend Bridge, Burlescombe
Walk 3 starts at Fossend Bridge, Burlescombe. The rough parking area is immediately adjacent to this bridge, which is at the bottom of the hill leading down from St. Mary's Church, Burlescombe. Before commencing the Walk, a brief stop at St. Mary's Church on top of the hill leading into the village is worthwhile for the commanding views over the valley and neighbouring hills. If you've time, go inside the church to view the monuments to the Ayshford family, dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, whose family seat was in the village from the reign of Henry I to the 17th century.
This walk is varied, using the Grand Western Canal towpath, footpaths across farmland and quiet country lanes, passing through beautiful Mid Devon countryside and villages.
Waypoints
1. Canonsleigh Priory
To start the walk turn right out if the canalside area to cross over the bridge. Walk down the right-hand side to reach the canal towpath. Turn right and follow the towpath to Fenacre Bridge. The ruins of Canonsleigh Priory, an Augustinian nunnery founded in the 12th century, can be seen on your left across the field.
3. Holcombe Rogus
After crossing a ditch, veer right into a small tree plantation at the end of the field. Pass through a gate at the right-hand corner of the plantation and then over a stile to enter a field. Walk straight on, keeping the hedge to your right, crossing over a stile onto a field track. Pass through another gate and continue along the track through the farmyard to join a tarmac road, passing the Prince of Wales pub on your right and garage on your left, and enter the village of Holcombe Rogus.
4. Frog Lane
From the church walk back towards the garage. Before reaching the garage, turn right into South Street and follow it around turning left at the junction into Frog Lane. Approach the village crossroads with a view of the school’s 19th century belltower to the left, and turn right into the road leading out of the village, passing the Prince of Wales pub on your right and Holcombe Barton on your left.
5. Quantock Hills
Follow the road up the hill, bearing right at an old chapel to your left (converted into a house). Continue on down the hill with an old quarry on your right. Views of the Quantock Hills to your left can be seen along this quiet leafy road. On reaching the bridge turn right through a gate onto the canal towpath which passes over the Waytown Tunnel. The tunnel has no towpath. The limekilns, which can be seen on the far bank, are still in good condition and serve as a reminder of the importance of lime to the existence of the Canal.
6. Waytown Tunnel
Continue along the towpath for approximately 1 mile, passing under Whipcott Bridge and Fenacre bridge back to your starting point at Fossend Bridge. If you wish to prolong your walk and reach the end of the canal at Lowdwells, turn left through a gate onto the canal towpath. Continue along the towpath for approximately half a mile to reach Lowdwells. Return to the bridge over Waytown Tunnel, cross, and rejoin the canal towpath.
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