Liberty Trail
The Liberty Trail is a 28-mile trail between Ham Hill in Somerset and Lyme Regis on the coast of Dorset, with a brief excursion through Devon.
History
The route of the Liberty Trail route is based on information recorded by six rebels from various villages in Somerset and Dorset. Villagers from the two counties made their way to join the Protestant Monmouth Rebellion in 1685.[1] The rebels wore green sprigs tucked into their hats to declare their support for Monmouth. Weapons that they carried included farm scythes and other suitable agricultural tools.[2]
Route
Ham Hill is 397 feet at its highest point, and Lyme Regis is at sea level.
The trail may be walked in a day, but easy walking stages have been suggested:
| Somerset | ||
| Ham Hill to West Chinnock | 3.5 miles | (1.75 hours) |
| West Chinnock to Misterton | 5 miles | (2.5 hours) |
| Misterton to Wayford | 4 miles | (2 hours) |
| Somerset to Devon | ||
| Wayford to Thorncombe | 6 miles | (3 hours) |
| Devon to Dorset | ||
| Thorncombe to Wootton Fitzpaine | 5.5 miles | (2.75 hours) |
| Wootton Fitzpaine to Lyme Regis | 4 miles | (2 hours) |
Places of Interest
At Ham Hill there are links with other Trails including the Monarch's Way, Leland Trail and River Parrett Trail.
Ham Hill Iron Age Hill Fort is one of the largest in Europe.[3] Many local buildings are made from the local yellow Hamstone.
At Wayford is Clapton Court Gardens, one of Somerset's more historic gardens that are open to the public.[4] Forde Abbey is situated on a curved section of the River Axe, its original purpose was as a Cistercian Monastery. It has a garden of some elegance which has won many awards.[5]
At Forde, Dorset's Jubilee Trail crosses over the path of the Liberty Trail. Two other Iron Age Hill Forts may be seen at this stage, the first one is Lambert's Castle and further on is Coney's Castle. During clear weather conditions Chesil Beach and Portland Bill are visible on the south coast.
At Lyme Regis the trail reaches the sea on the Jurassic Coast. The South West Coast Path meets the trail here.
Sections of the Liberty Trail also form part of other trails in the area, such as the Macmillan Way West, River Parrett Trail, Wessex Ridgeway.
Way points
- start: 50°57’0"N, 2°44’35"W; ST478170 (Ham Hill, Somerset)
- waypoint: 50°55’8"N, 2°45’25"W; ST468135 (West Chinnock, Somerset)
- waypoint: 50°52’12"N, 2°46’23"W; ST456081 (Misterton, Somerset)
- waypoint: 50°51’22"N, 2°50’24"W; ST409067 (Wayford, Somerset)
- waypoint: 50°49’34"N, 2°53’10"W; ST376033 (Thorncombe, Devon)
- waypoint: 50°45’25"N, 2°53’56"W; SY366957 (Wootton Fitzpaine, Dorset)
- end: 50°43’26"N, 2°55’59"W; SY341920 (Lyme Regis, Dorset)
Outside links
- The Liberty Trail - Walking on the Web
References
- ↑ "Monmouth's Rebellion". Uk Battlefields Resource Centre. http://www.battlefieldstrust.com/resource-centre/stuart-rebellions/campainview.asp?CampainId=3. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
- ↑ "Liberty Trail". Walking on the Web. http://www.walkingontheweb.co.uk/countries/England/Liberty_Trail.htm. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
- ↑ "Iron-Age Hillfort & Roman Fort Ham Hill, Somerset". Roman Britain.org. http://www.roman-britain.org/places/ham_hill.htm. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
- ↑ "Historical Houses and Gardens in Somerset". Tourist guide Somerset — date not disclosed. http://www.somersettouristguide.com/Historical_Houses_and_Gardens_in_Somerset_13.asp. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
- ↑ "Forde Abbey website — Garden page". http://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/pages/site.php?pgid=202. Retrieved 14 November 2010.