Cothelstone Hill Circular
Somerset
Cothelstone Hill sits at the southern end of the Quantock Hills, England's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and its rounded top is marked by the Seven Sisters, a clump of beech trees visible for miles across Somerset, with dogs kept close to their owner among the herd of Exmoor ponies that grazes the hilltop. Bronze Age barrows and cairns dot the summit. This 4km circuit from the free car park on Merridge Hill is one of the Quantock Hills National Landscape's own promoted walks. It starts in mixed woodland of hazel and ash before climbing onto the open hilltop for long views over the Vale of Taunton and the Somerset Levels, then loops back to the car park. The main track to the lower viewpoint has an accessible surface, but other paths are uneven, with some steep slopes and cross slopes.
This dog friendly walk is short and scenic, but plan on a lead for much of it. Cothelstone Hill is open access land, so from 1 March to 31 July dogs must by law be on a short lead to protect ground nesting birds and reptiles. The Exmoor ponies graze the top all year, and the national landscape team warns that cattle, sheep and horses graze freely on the Quantock commons, so keep dogs close around stock. The woodland gives shade at the start. There are no facilities at the car park, and Fyne Court nearby has a cafe and toilets.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.0 km (2.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic, Heathland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- None at the car park; cafe and toilets at Fyne Court (National Trust) nearby.
- Parking
- Cothelstone Hill car park on Merridge Hill, free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Cothelstone Hill Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in SomersetFrequently Asked Questions
Is Cothelstone Hill Circular dog friendly?
Cothelstone Hill Circular is a decent option for dogs, earning a 7 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating. It's a short 4km circuit through mixed woodland and open hilltop, with lovely views over the Vale of Taunton and the Somerset Levels — manageable for most dogs, though the paths are uneven in places with some steep slopes to navigate.
Can dogs be off lead at Cothelstone Hill Circular?
Lead control is required for much of this walk, so it's not the best choice if your dog needs a good off-lead run. From 1 March to 31 July, dogs must by law be kept on a short lead on this open access land to protect ground-nesting birds and reptiles, and Exmoor ponies graze the hilltop year-round, so the national landscape team advises keeping dogs close around livestock throughout the year.
What should I know before visiting Cothelstone Hill Circular with my dog?
Parking is free at the car park on Merridge Hill, but there are no facilities there, so come prepared with water for your dog. If you need a comfort stop or a coffee, Fyne Court (National Trust) is nearby and has a café and toilets. It's also worth being aware that cattle, sheep, and horses graze freely on the Quantock commons alongside the Exmoor ponies, so confident stock management will make the visit more enjoyable for everyone.
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