Walk 
4 to 7 nights
35 to 51 mls (km)
South West England
Easy to Moderate 
Mar to Oct
£495
In the Footsteps of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth
- Visit the places where Coleridge composed some of his most famous works (Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Kubla Kahn...)
- End your walk in the seaside town of Lynmouth, or Porlock
- Visit picturesque country pubs and tea shops on the villages en-route
- Discover the seldom visited Brendon Hills through Exmoor National Park
- Long stretches of wild forest tracks make this a particularly good walk for autumn/spring
- Extend your walk on the last day with a visit to the Valley of the Rocks
Walking Through the Quantocks Hills
Woodland, farmland, deep combs, high moorland heath and secluded villages are the backdrop to Coleridge's famous works. Occupied in 1797, the cottage in Nether Stowey stands as the site of his most prolific period. Within the space of three years he had written his most famous work, looking to the surrounding hills and combs for inspiration.
"Now, my friends emerge/ Beneath the wide wide Heaven - and view again / The many-steepled tract magnificent/ Of hilly fields and meadows, and the sea."
Walking The Coleridge Way
Coleridge was a keen walker, thinking nothing of a 40-mile hike to visit friends; here we begin at Coleridge's front door, with a trail that traces his footsteps to Wordsworth’s stately home in Alfoxton Park. From there begins the ascent to the slopes of the Quantock Hills, where early-risers get the best chance to catch sight of the 1000+ red deer that roam there. Trying to spot a hundred bird species in a day is a common challenge among birdwatchers of the area, indicative of the sheer abundance of wildlife in these hills.
Red soil pasture folds into the Brendon Hill range where this trail continues, and from here we take the winding trail around the windswept moorland edges of Exmoor - one of our finest wild open landscapes.
Meander through an idyllic, quintessentially English part of the world, where the sleepy villages along the route have names like Quantoxhead, Bicknoller and Monksilver. You may be tempted by the array of ancient pubs dotted along the way, as no doubt Coleridge and Wordsworth were on their long walks into the country.
Views from Exmoor extend into South Wales and mid-Devon as you make the gradual descent to the coast at Porlock Bay.
You have the option to finish your walk in Porlock, or if you wish, to take the recent extension of the trail inland through Worthy Woods before descending into the famous Doone Valley. The trail passes through Oare, the beauty spot of Watersmeet where it meets the South West Coast Path to Lynmouth.
In 2008 this route was selected by The Times as one of Britain's best autumn walks. When it comes to hiking South England, spring and autumn are the most scenic times, but the walk can be taken at any point in the year.
Each of the walking trails we offer has been walked and assessed. Give us a call, we would be delighted to talk you through a walking holiday on the Coleridge Way.
Celtic Trails has 26 years’ experience providing tailored, quality itineraries for walkers who appreciate good service, comfort and organisation.
Path Walkthrough
Walkers can expect long stretches through the glades of the Exmoor forest, walking out into exposed sections through hill and field, before meeting the coast at Lynmouth. Along your way, you'll cross paths with Exmoor towns and villages in a landscape scattered with small thatched cottages and stonework pubs.
Although ascents are not particularly steep, there are a few strenuous sections where climbs are prolonged over a long stretch of the route. Walkers shouldn't find the going too taxing, however, good navigation skills are key - especially when you consider that this is a very quiet walk, in a sparsely populated area made up of twisting paths through village streets, forest tracks and heather-capped fields.
Our Coleridge Way Itineraries
Nether Stowey to Porlock
Distance: 35 miles (56km)
Nether Stowey to Lynmouth
Distance: 51 miles (82km)
- Good standard accommodation at a mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&Bs with en-suite or private facilities wherever possible
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfers
- Personal transfer between accommodation and path that form a part of our standard package
- Route planning
- Walk pack including Trail Guide and mapping, itinerary, accommodation directions and route notes, lunch and dinner information, restaurant recommendations and holiday planning details
You choose which day you would like your holiday to start on. We will book your holiday in accordance with your requirements.
Our Coleridge Way holidays are available to walk March to October.
Devonshire is characterised by mild weather, the region experiences some of the mildest weather in the world for its latitude, with areas along the coast of Devon typically experiencing some of the warmest weather in the UK.
Nearest airports are located in Bristol www.bristolairport.co.uk
Bus stations are located in: Taunton, Bridgwater, Lynmouth and Lynton.
South West Public Transport www.travelinesw.com
There is a 2-hourly bus service (No 14) from Bridgwater to Nether Stowey.
If you prefer to arrive by car, we can advise on car parking arrangements.
Taxi
Porlock to Nether Stowey - prices available upon request.
Lynton to Nether Stowey - prices available upon request.
📷Quantocks Hills
📷Oare Bridge - Nigel Stone
📷Porlock
📷Watersmeet, Exmoor, Coleridge Way, © Visit Britain
📷Watchet
📷Oare Church - Nigel Stone
📷St Etheldreda, West Quantoxhead
📷Washford
📷Horner Wood
📷Horner Wood
📷Oare
📷Below Old Barrow Ruth LuckhurstColeridge Way Client Reviews
4.7/5 based on 33 reviews
Celtic Trails are very responsive, friendly and send clear emails with full details at appropriate stages of the booking progress.
Anon - September 2024
The best way to travel on walking holidays, where you get god recommendations for your ability
Janiene New Zealand - August 2024
Celtic Trails are well organised. I feel we can trust Celtic Trails to organise the best accommodation's possible on the path.
C. Williams - March 2024
Very good. Everything we needed was in the pack.
Lucy - September 2023
Felt like we both had increased energy after completing our walk and we are considering doing the Hadrian's Wall walk when we book again.
Mr and Mrs Russell - August 2023
Superb! So well organised and with utmost care to all important details.
Ana, Croatia - July 2023
We always feel we receive great value for money.
Anon - July 2023
Everything worked fine - would recommend Celtic Trails.
Anon - June 2023
Celtic Trails were helpful, from website search to enquiry to follow up. I am worn out but relaxed.
Richard, Hampshire - June 2023
We were very satisfied with the Coleridge Way walking holiday the Celtic Trails provided.
Timothy C. - June 2023
Celtic Trails' service was professional and comprehensive even in detail. I had chosen the Coleridge Way more or less by chance. I was, however, very satisfied with this choice and can highly recommend it. In particular if one prefers solitude in a romantic setting to crowded trails.
E. Heinz - May 2023
This walk was exceptional from forest bluebells to coastal towns. So peaceful, away from the every day.
Alice - May 2023
I have told many friends about Celtic Trails - very great service, self-guided with directions, beautiful areas, great website, and no baggage to carry!
Carol Glaser - October 2022
Walking is a fantastic way to see exceptionally beautiful country and to experience the countryside in a unique and lovely way. The villages were - without exception - charming and welcoming. Unfortunately, we had very hot weather and had to carry an en
Carol, San Fransisco - August 2022
Celtic Trails takes all the pressure off booking accommodation and luggage transfer.
Richard, Norfolk - June 2022
A company that tailor a holiday to your needs, are flexible on dates, provide comprehensive information, and are efficient and organised. The scenery was wonderful and the variety of woodland, villages and coast was good. This holiday provided a much need
David, Dorset - May 2022
Celtic Trails' admin is good. You put your trust in their selection of accommodation, which adds spice to the experience. Lyme Hill was magical.
Roger, Sevenoaks - April 2022
I would describe my experience with Celtic Trails as a revelation - pure joy. I feel like a new person!
Anon - February 2022
Celtic Trails were very helpful, informative, giving you the feeling they will look after you. This holiday had a mood boosting impact on my health and well-being.
Anon - September 2021
This holiday was very relaxing and the excellent organisation by Celtic Trails makes it stress free. Totally hassle free, everything is done for you so you can just enjoy the walk. We particularly enjoyed the different terrain and scenery - no two days were the same. We will definitely book our future walks via Celtic Trails.
Michaela Pearce - September 2021
Efficient and friendly. Everything worked as planned. Great break. Good to get out of London. Very impressed with the friendliness and professionalism of people in B&Bs, pubs and restaurants.
Angela D - July 2021
Very helpful service on pre-walk queries. Celtic Trails make it easy! Good logistics. This holiday was just what was needed this year. A great discovery of a wonderful walk which should be better known.
Anon - October 2020
Overall excellent.
K. Woodvine - October 2019
Good organisation, lovely walks, good accommodation.
S. Grafton - October 2019
Celtic Trails were very good.
Anon - September 2019
Celti Trails are great - reliable, everything is taken care of. We've done several walks with them - Pembrokeshire, Wye Valley, Hadrian's Wall, Three Castles. It was great not to have to think about all the daily grind things - walking is a wonderful mental cleanse.
A&P Runde - August 2019
I would recommend Celtic Trails to a friend; the holiday was well-organised.
L. Way - May 2019
Celtic Trails were brilliant - never had any problems; they were always helpful. Luggage transfers were spot on!
Anon. - May 2019
Celtic Trails were better than the other holiday company we have walked with.
Blindschuh - September 2018
What we most enjoyed about this walk was the amazing scenery and the fact that we were walking, almost exclusively, in the country. The accommodation was all very good.
C.G. - August 2018
"The uphill bits were a struggle, but the views were breathtaking! The walk also contained various terrains, which made it more interesting. The B&Bs that we stayed in each night were wonderful. Warm and welcoming at the end of a long day's walk! It doesn't get much better than this!"
Steadman - May 2018
Dear Penny, My daughter and I are back in America from our trip and wish we were still in England. The trip was wonderful. Thank you so much for helping us plan our amazing walking trip. We met many lovely people. Everything was top notch. I'm already thinking about next year's trip. Again, thank you so much.
B.S. - May 2018
‘This was a magnificent walk through varied and very beautiful countryside. It was more up and down than some walks, but that ensured an everchanging landscape. Definitely one of the best walks I’ve done – memorable and beautiful. Our visit to Coleridge’s cottage made a lovely end to the walk.'
Millard - September 2016
