Lydeard Hill and Wills Neck Ridge Walk
Somerset
Lydeard Hill marks the gateway to the southern Quantock Hills, a ridge of species rich grassland and heathland with wide views across the Vale of Taunton to the Blackdown Hills and Devon beyond, common land where a dog shares the ground with grazing cattle, sheep and ponies. This 3.5km circuit leaves the car park at the top of the hill and skirts the north side of Lydeard Hill before following the ridge over the shoulder of Wills Neck, at 386 metres the highest point in the Quantocks, and turning back before the summit. There is around 90 metres of climbing on grass and heather tracks, and the ground has slopes and cross slopes that can be uneven underfoot. Stonechats, meadow pipits and cuckoos are among the birds recorded on the heath in spring and summer.
This dog friendly walk gives a fair amount of freedom on the open ridge, though it sits on Quantock common land where cattle, sheep and ponies graze freely, so keep a lead handy whenever they are near. As open access land, dogs must be kept on a short lead by law between 1 March and 31 July to protect ground nesting birds. Adders live in the heather here and tend to retreat if disturbed, so keep dogs on the paths in warm weather. There is no shade or water on the ridge. The car park is free but has no facilities, and the nearest toilets and cafe are at Fyne Court, about three miles away.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.5 km (2.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 10 min
- Walk Type
- Heathland, Moorland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None at the car park; toilets, accessible toilet and cafe at Fyne Court (National Trust), about three miles away.
- Parking
- Lydeard Hill car park, free, at the top of the hill off the minor road from West Bagborough.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Lydeard Hill and Wills Neck Ridge Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in SomersetFrequently Asked Questions
Is Lydeard Hill and Wills Neck Ridge Walk dog friendly?
Lydeard Hill and Wills Neck Ridge Walk is a decent option for dogs, earning a 7 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating. The open heather and grass ridge gives dogs a good sense of space and freedom, though the presence of grazing cattle, sheep and ponies on this common land means it suits dogs with reliable recall around livestock. It's a relatively short circuit of 3.5km, so manageable for most dogs.
Can dogs be off lead at Lydeard Hill and Wills Neck Ridge Walk?
Dogs can enjoy a fair amount of freedom on the open ridge for much of the year, but there are a couple of important restrictions to know about. Between 1 March and 31 July, dogs must be kept on a short lead by law across this open access land to protect ground nesting birds such as stonechats and meadow pipits. Outside of that period, you should still keep a lead handy for when cattle, sheep or ponies are nearby.
What should I know before visiting Lydeard Hill and Wills Neck Ridge Walk with my dog?
A few things are worth bearing in mind before you head out. Adders live in the heather here and can be active in warm weather, so it's wise to keep dogs on the paths rather than letting them nose around in the vegetation. There is no shade or water on the ridge, so bring enough water for your dog, especially on warmer days. The car park is free but has no facilities — the nearest toilets and cafe are at Fyne Court, a National Trust property about three miles away.
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