Weekender: South Somerset Cycleway

Route name: South Somerset Cycleway
Start/finish: Yeovil Junction station, though anywhere along the route works fine
Maps: Landranger 183 Yeovil and Frome; and 193 Taunton and Lyme Regis
Ride length: 125km/80 miles
Climbing: 1,226 metres (4,022ft)
Bike type: Any, if you avoid the 2.5km of light gravel and a 300−metre walk through a field
Ride level: regular, but most sections are suitable for a beginner

Somerset is a glorious place to cycle, full of history, quiet lanes and interesting towns. In the 1990s, Somerset Council recognised the potential and put together the South Somerset Cycleway, which took cyclists on an 80-mile tour. It was fully signed with metal direction markers.

The route was relaunched in 2022. It got a new website and was re-signed with brown South Somerset stickers; many of the original signs remain in place. It’s suitable as a weekend ride as there are good train connections and plenty of places to stay, so it’s easily split into two parts if you don’t fancy a long day’s ride.

Along the way, you will discover multiple National Trust properties, a ruined abbey, manicured gardens and a hugely impressive hill fort. The towns you pass through are quaint and mostly have good cafés. One of the towns, Somerton, was probably the capital of Wessex back in King Alfred’s day.

The terrain is a mix of country lanes and some cycle paths. Various pieces of cycling infrastructure are in place to avoid major roads, making this ideal for a family ride. There is even a dedicated cycle crossing in Sherborne.

The ride officially begins at Yeovil Junction railway station, but it can be started at any point on the loop, including the railway station at Castle Cary.

The South Somerset Cycleway can be ridden on any sort of bicycle, although there are two short sections on off road and gravel tracks. There are alternative route options to bypass these.

1. Sherborne

Approaching Sherborne, the route takes the one and only really rough section as it dives down a lane to end in a field. (The road alternative is straight on.) The walk – or cycle – is about 300 metres but takes you to a delightfully quiet way into this fascinating town, which has two (yes, two) castles, an abbey and a pretty town centre.

2. Cadbury Castle

Towering over the surrounding countryside, this 4,000−year-old hill fort was a military stronghold that’s now associated with England’s more recent defence against the Vikings, when we so nearly lost the country.

An hour’s walk up and back gives glorious views. There are cycle stands in the small car park.

3. Somerton

The town is presumed to have been the ancient capital of Wessex before Winchester. If you have chosen to do the route clockwise, take care here as you will cycle counter to the one-way system. While anti-clockwise is recommended (and described here), a clockwise GPX file is available from bit.ly/south-somerset-cycleway.

4. Langport

Sited on the River Parrett, Langport has good cafés and a bike shop, as well as a hanging chapel (a listed building that’s slightly off route). You leave town on the River Parrett Cycleway.

Utilising a former railway line, its 2.5km length is gravel and takes you across the Somerset Levels. The road alternative goes via the hanging chapel.

5. Muchelney

Home to a delightful abbey (English Heritage) and the Priest’s House (National Trust). The abbey isn’t just a ruin; parts are intact, including the two-storey monk’s toilet block, which is unique in the UK. Children will love that.

6. Ham Hill Country Park

You can easily miss this, as there’s an alternative route option to Montacute. However, the climb to the top of the hill is well worth it for the extensive views alone. Descending to Montacute takes you down one of the many, beautiful sunken lanes that are a feature of this area.