Winsford Hill and the Caratacus Stone from Winsford
Somerset
Winsford Hill is a rounded heather and grass hilltop on Exmoor above the village of Winsford with a trig pillar, Bronze Age barrows and the Punchbowl, a deep combe cut into its northern flank, its open moorland shared with free roaming ponies and sheep that mean a lead is the safer choice for a dog. On its western edge stands the Caratacus Stone, an inscribed stone thought to date from the 6th century, reading CARATACI NEPVS, a descendant of Caratacus, and protected by a small stone shelter since 1906. This 13.9km circuit leaves Winsford's free village car park, climbs through pasture fields to the trig point with long views over the moor, crosses open access moorland to the stone, then drops through woodland and fields via Yellowcombe Lane back to the village. There is 433 metres of climbing, with boggy moorland, narrow woodland paths, stream crossings and some minor roads that carry traffic.
This dog friendly walk gives an energetic dog a proper day out, but much of it is on a lead. Winsford Hill is open access land, where dogs must be on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July by law, and free roaming Exmoor ponies and sheep graze the moor all year, so keep dogs close whenever animals are near. The streams on the descent give water, but there is none on the open top and little shade. Keep dogs on a lead on the lanes around Winsford. The village has public toilets, the Bridge Cottage Tearoom and the Royal Oak pub.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 13.9 km (8.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 4 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Public toilets, Bridge Cottage Tearoom, the Royal Oak pub and the Oak Shop in Winsford.
- Parking
- Free village car park in Winsford, off the B3223.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Winsford Hill and the Caratacus Stone from Winsford, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Exmoor Farm Cottages - Stags View
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £472 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in SomersetFrequently Asked Questions
Is Winsford Hill and the Caratacus Stone from Winsford dog friendly?
This is a solid choice for an energetic dog, rated 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The 13.9km circuit takes in open Exmoor moorland, woodland paths and long views from the trig point, giving a dog with plenty of stamina a genuinely rewarding day out. Back in Winsford you'll find public toilets, the Bridge Cottage Tearoom and the Royal Oak pub to round off the walk.
Can dogs be off lead at Winsford Hill and the Caratacus Stone from Winsford?
Off-lead time on this route is limited. Winsford Hill is open access land where dogs must be kept on a short lead by law between 1 March and 31 July, and free-roaming Exmoor ponies and sheep graze the moor throughout the year, so keeping dogs close whenever animals are nearby is essential. The lanes around Winsford carry traffic, so leads are needed there too.
What should I know before visiting Winsford Hill and the Caratacus Stone from Winsford with my dog?
This is a demanding route with 433 metres of climbing, boggy moorland, narrow woodland paths, stream crossings and some minor roads, so it's worth being well prepared. The streams on the descent offer natural drinking water, but there is none on the open hilltop and little shade, so carrying water for your dog is a good idea. The free village car park in Winsford, off the B3223, is a convenient starting point, and the village has facilities including a tearoom and pub for afterwards.
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