Blackdown Hills - Culmstock to the Wellington Monument

West Mendip Walkers a moderate 11.0-mile circular walk across the Blackdown Hills to Wellington Monument from Culmstock.

Starting from Culm Valley Inn pub’s car park (EX15 3JJ) in Culmstock, a short walk on quiet roads heading north through the village, passing fields and farmland before a short steep ascent to Culmstock Beacon (one of the chain of beacons used in Elizabethan times to warn of the approach of the Spanish Armada). From here we can enjoy the magnificent views of the Culm Valley and its river. The walk continues a couple of miles along Blackdown Common passing two lovely ponds. Look out for some Exmoor ponies and Devon ruby red cattle as they are common sights in this area. Shortly, we will arrive at Sampford Point, with a great view over Sampford Moor and the M5. The walk continues into Sampford Common and out into a quiet road for a short distance. Then a small path and walk-through forest up to Wellington Monument, our lunch stop, where we enjoy the extensive views over the town of Wellington and the River Tone. The walk resumes, a short distance through a line of trees, a short flat walk on a busy road, followed by 1.5-mile woodland path. Then half a mile downhill on a quiet road leading up to farmland with free-range chicken and the route will bring us to a little village of Culm Davy. We head north from here through woodland of Culm Davy Hill and Plantation and then slightly downhill into the south and south-eastern parts of Backdown Common and out through fields and a short, lovely walk along the river Culm. The path will bring us back to Culmstock, passing All Saints Church, a listed medieval building well known for its 200-year-old yew tree that grows out of its tower. A short walk on the road and crossing over the beautiful grade II listed stone Culmstock Bridge of medieval origins and back to the pub where we started. Time to relax with homemade cake and a drink at the pub or outside by the river under the bridge. This walk has a few gentle climbs