Macmillan Way West
The Macmillan Way West is a long-distance footpath in Somerset and Devon. It runs for 102 miles from Castle Cary in Somerset to Barnstaple in Devon and is one of the 'Macmillan Ways' devised and promoted to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief, a charity. The Macmillan Way West connects with the main Macmillan Way at Castle Cary.
The path follows the valley of the River Cary to Somerton, then crosses the Somerset Levels to North Petherton. From Langport to a point near Westonzoyland the route coincides with the River Parrett Trail.
From North Petherton the path climbs the Quantock Hills and follows the ridge of the hills for several miles, passing their highest point, Will's Neck. It descends through the village of Bicknoller, and then crosses low-level country to Williton and Dunster.
After passing Wootton Courtenay, the route climbs to Exmoor at its highest point, Dunkery Beacon (also the county top of Somerset). For the last twenty miles to Barnstaple, the path follows the route of the Tarka Trail.
The path is waymarked from east to west, but not from west to east.
Route and points of interest
- Start: 51°5’13"N, 2°30’47"W; ST641321 (Castle Cary)
- Somerton: 51°3’11"N, 2°44’10"W; ST485284 (Somerton)
- Bow Bridge: 51°2’10"N, 2°50’6"W; ST415266 (Langport)
- Monk's Leaze Clyce: 51°2’53"N, 2°50’38"W; ST408280 (Regulates flow into Sowy River)
- River Tone confluence: 51°4’1"N, 2°55’1"W; ST357302 (Located at Burrowbridge)
- Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum: 51°5’28"N, 2°56’38"W; ST339328 (Westonzoyland)
- North Petherton: 51°5’31"N, 3°1’8"W; ST287330 (North Petherton)
- Highest point in Quantock Hills: 51°6’32"N, 3°11’35"W; ST165351 (Will's Neck)
- Connection with Coleridge Way: 51°8’56"N, 3°16’19"W; ST110396 (Bicknoller)
- West Somerset Railway: 51°9’50"N, 3°18’29"W; ST085414 (Williton)
- Dunster Castle: 51°10’55"N, 3°26’42"W; SS990435 (Dunster)
- Highest point on Exmoor: 51°9’40"N, 3°35’13"W; SS891415 (Dunkery Beacon)
- End: 51°4’55"N, 4°2’53"W; SS565334 (Barnstaple)
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Macmillan Way West) |
References
- Macmillan Way West The Macmillan Way Association ISBN 0-9526851-3-2