If you want to explore a little further afield, we have selected a few local places that are great for walking. Most have a range of paths which give you the option for a short walk or a longer stretch of your legs. Dogs are welcome at all of the places but please make sure you follow site guidelines about keeping them on leads as some of the walks take you around livestock and nature reserves.
Otterhead Lakes 🐶
Otterhead Lakes is a large reservoir now owned by Wessex Water and formerly the grounds of a large Victorian manor house (now disappeared). There are two lakes you can walk around – the bottom lake is larger but has a proper path while you can only walk around parts of the upper lake. Beavers have been reintroduced at Otterhead Lakes – you can see evidence of them around the shores of the upper lake if you look carefully.
There is limited parking at Otterhead Lakes and you may need to park along the road in busier times, adding a few hundred metres to your walk. It’s a beautiful location on a sunny day – we advise watching for birdlife if you have dogs as swans can be quite protective. We also recommend wearing wellies as the path can be quite muddy
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Otterhead Lakes is approximately 6 miles from Ley Farm Cottages. You can find information on their web page here.
Chard Reservoir 🐶
There are some lovely walks around the nature reserve at Chard Reservoir, where, depending on the time of year, you can see various birds and flowers including wild orchids. Dogs are welcome – there are areas of the nature reserve though where dogs need to be on short leads or are not allowed to protect the wildlife.
Chard Reservoir is roughly 8.5miles from Ley Farm Cottages – their web page is here.
Castle Neroche 🐶
Castle Neroche – in the Blackdown Hills – is the site of a former iron-age hillfort and Norman castle. It provides fabulous views across Taunton towards the Quantock Hills. There are plenty of footpaths and tracks to explore around the site. Dogs are welcome here.
Castle Neroche is about 9 miles from Ley Farm Cottages, you can find a bit more information here.
Hembury Hillfort 🐶
This former iron-age hill fort site is privately-owned but welcomes visitors on foot. Dogs are welcome on leads and there are paths around the site. It is c.11 miles from Ley Farm Cottages and a little more information is available on their website here.
Wellington Monument 🐶
The Wellington Monument is located at the edge of the Blackdown Hills in Somerset, and was built as a tribute to the Duke of Wellington and his victory of the Battle of Waterloo. There’s a short one-mile walk from the car park to and around the Wellington Monument, although there are other footpaths in the area that you can pick up. The National Trust ask that you keep dogs under control in the area – while dogs are not allowed on tours of the Wellington Monument, the site is designated a two pawprint rated location which means it has water bowls and dog bins.
Check their web page for more information before visiting the site, which is roughly 13 miles away.
Branscombe to Beer 🐶
One walking route to check out is to park at Branscombe and walk over to Beer. You can park either by the National Trust Branscombe forge or in the bigger car park (be aware in busy periods as this counts your entry from the moment you enter the car park and you will have to pay even if there are no spaces). You can also visit the Manor Mill (check opening times) and the Old Bakery – now a tearoom.
Branscombe has a history of smuggling and cliff farming. You can walk out to the shingle beach through farmland and then up and around the cliff face. It’s a winding fairly narrow path that gives great views across the sea and also looking up to the imposing cliff face. Once at Beer you can explore or get some food/drink – and take the Coast Path (the high road) back up over the headland.
Branscombe is approximately 15 miles from Ley Farm Cottages – you can find a bit more information here.
Culmstock Beacon 🐶
Culmstock Beacon dates back to the Elizabethan times when beacons were lit across the hills to warn of danger. The beacon itself is located c.250m above sea level. There are plenty of walks around the site – you can find a couple of links to web pages with walks here and here but if they’re not suitable, it’s worth searching online for other options. For more general information about Culmstock Beacon, check their web page.
Culmstock Beacon is about 15 miles from Ley Farm Cottages.
Ashclyst Forest 🐶
Ashclyst Forest is part of the Killerton estate (a short drive from Killerton House) and consists of trails through the forest. It attracts all sorts of birds and wildlife to spot. Ashclyst Forest is very dog friendly and is a bit further at 24 miles from Ley Farm Cottages. You can check out latest information on their website here.
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