Walks & rides

An easy-to-follow walk through some attractive and interesting countryside. There is one hill to climb, but the subsequent view is outstanding. The route starts from the nature reserve car park at the end of Oaklands Road.

Useful info

View route in OS Maps

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 4.5 miles (7 km)

Total ascent: 165m (mainly Cricket Lane)

Route checked: January 2024

Getting there

Walk start/finish: Chard Reservoir car park.

Grid reference: ST 336 092

Nearest postcode: TA20 1HU

What3Words: lightly.unlimited.purses

Lat | Long: 50.880273 | -2.9437813

Parking:  Chard reservoir car park, Oaklands Avenue, TA20 1HU

Public transport:

Interesting things to look out for

Chard Reservoir Local Nature Reserve and Chaffcombe Water Wheel.

Rest stops

Picnic bench at Anglers car park at the far end of Chard reservoir (just off route).

Benches in Chaffcombe Churchyard.

There is one eco-toilet for use located next to the Anglers car park. TA20 4AL The toilet is self-composting and therefore reduces the impact on the environment. There is no running water in the toilet, but hand sanitiser is available for use.

Nearest conventional toilet is in Bath Street Car park in the centre of Chard.

Challenges on route

Cricket Lane has a long steep incline.

Instructions

Cross the area of grass adjoining the car park to reach a lane. Turn right and walk along for about 150 meters. Take the footpath on the left, signed for Chaffcombe. Cross the field to a footbridge and stile. Continue across the next field and over a stile and stay ahead to another stile. Turn left on a wide track. Ignore a footpath option to the right, at the top of a rise, and follow the track with the reservoir increasingly nearby on your left.

When the track meets a road, you turn right. After about 600 metres turn sharp left and climb steadily upwards to Sprays Hill. At the top, take the footpath on your right to follow around the edge of the wood which crowns the hill. If you have brought any refreshments with you, this would be a good place to enjoy it as the panoramic view is splendid. It takes in the Quantock Hills, the Brendon Hills, Ilminster and of course the Blackdown Hills and Chard.

Continue between the gorse bushes to a stile. In the next field, with Chaffcombe House on your right, to footpath descends to a stile just to the left of the bottom right-hand corner. Head downhill through the copse, to a footbridge. Continue to another stile ahead and then follow the right-hand edge of the field to a lane. Turn right. You are soon in Chaffcombe village. Look for a handsome little medieval church and a totem pole carved and painted by a local artist, from a broken cedar branch from the churchyard.

At the war memorial turn left and follow the road ahead, ignoring the ‘No Through Road’ sign. You will see Avishayes over on your left. When you meet the end of the drive, take the turning on your right. This takes you through a small area of woodland. Turn right along the lane signed ‘Restricted Byway to Chaffcombe Road’. Very soon you will see the car park on your left. You could, if you with, divert across the field to the reservoir before you leave.

Information board – The Pound at Chaffcombe.
Photo: Jonathan Sladden

A constantly undulating walk through typical Blackdown Hills scenery. Most of the route is on footpaths and bridalways, with small sections of quiet lanes.

One of six circular walks in and around Chard – walk 2

Grid reference: ST326087

Nearest postcode: TA20 1EP

This route is fairly flat throughout and features a pleasant combination of town and country.

One of six circular walks in and around Chard – walk 3

Grid reference: ST 326 087

Nearest postcode: TA20 1EP

This triangular route, is reasonably demanding, but rewards the walker from start to finish with a range of delightful scenery and some superb wide views. Starts and ends at Combe St Nicholas.

One of six circular walks in and around Chard – walk 4

Grid reference: ST303114

Nearest postcode: TA20 3NF

Please do not be put off by the length of this walk. It is an absolute pleasure, combining many footpaths and quiet lanes. The scenery and surroundings are attractive throughout and the hilly sections are not too demanding. The route is described from the starting point of Chard Museum.

One of six circular walks in and around Chard – walk 5

Grid reference: ST319085

Nearest postcode: TA20 1QW

The walk to Chardstock is delightful and contains a wide variety of scenery. The return, on quiet lanes, provides good views in all directions.

The route is described from the starting point of St Mary’s Church, Chard.

One of six circular walks in and around Chard – walk 6

Grid reference: ST 324 083

Nearest postcode: TA20 2AS