This gorgeous circuit walk has it all: beautiful woodland, sea views, vibrant heather clad moorland and more than its fair share of Exmoor ponies.
If you’re very lucky you might even spot some of the famous, if slightly skittish, red deer. The track conditions are generally good and though there are a few hills to climb and descend, it’s a relatively easy walk.
Here’s what to expect from the trail.
The Selworthy Circular Walk
The stats
Distance: 4.5 mile (7.2km) circuit
Elevation gain: 275m
Difficulty: Easy - moderate
Trailhead: National Trust Selworthy Car Park
Summary: The conditions along the trail are generally very good, with well formed dirt tracks and grassy paths that hold up well after rain.
There are a couple of longish climbs and descents, but the good paths make them easier as you don’t need to worry about slipping on dodgy terrain.
Much of the walk is highly exposed to the elements so you’ll really feel that on a very windy or hot day.
Starting the trail: past the church and tearoom
From the National Trust car park (full parking details below) you’ll head right, down the road towards All Saints Church. You’ll reach the church after just 130m and it’s worth popping in for a look if you have time.
It’s a lovely 15th century church with lots of beautiful old features, particularly on the ceiling.
To stop you craning your neck to look up at all the carvings they have a moveable mirror which you can push around which I thought was very novel and not something I’ve ever come across before.
There’s also a sand timer beside the pulpit that times the sermons which probably used to be very common, but was again something a little different to see today!
Back to the walk and just past the church you’ll head through the little gate marked for the Periwinkle Tea Room.
I have a bit of a thing for thatched houses and little did I know I was about to see two of the most charming thatch cottages ever built.
One of which is the tearoom which was utterly delightful to look at and had me wishing we hadn’t just come from another cafe!
Through Selworthy Woods
You’ll walk past the first thatched cottage and onto the lawn beside the tearoom. You’ll see a small bridge and cross it before passing through the gate and into Selworthy Woods.
The dirt path now heads gently uphill through pretty woodland with occasional glimpses out to the rolling hills beyond.
This is where three red deer darted across the path in front of us, I’d been hoping to spot some all week and finally got lucky on our final day. They were far too quick for a photo sadly!
After 110m in the woods, the path briefly flattens as you bear left at the junction and then continue uphill. The path oscillates between flat track and gentle climbing.
Trails do sometimes fork off but you want to stick to the main track following for Allerford and Bossington until you see the signpost for Bossington Hill (a right turn uphill).
At the 1.4km (0.9 mile) mark the path descends a little and 700m later you’ll get your first proper sea views. This is when you need to keep an eye out for that turn to Bossington Hill.
Across the moors to Selworthy Beacon
You’ll head uphill through the woods and the path will narrow at the 2.7km mark (1.7 miles) just before you reach a gate, 150m later.
Pass through the gate and follow the sign for Minehead, it’s still uphill and there’s a short rocky steep section.
It’s uneven underfoot but not challenging. At the 3.1km mark (1.9 miles) you’ll turn left and the gradient becomes more gentle on a rocky dirt track.
Approximately 350m later your climbing is rewarded with a stunning view towards the Bristol Channel, though the views only get better as you get a little higher.
There’s a particularly picturesque section of track as you climb a gentle incline on a narrow path clinging to the hillside with ever more mesmerising views of the water and rugged cliffs.
You will now follow all signs for Selworthy Beacon and have another couple of hundred metres climbing to do before the path will all but flatten for a short time.
This is where you are likely to start spotting the gorgeous Exmoor ponies which were abundant on our visit and really added to the already beautiful scenery.
If you’re walking in the height of summer you will also get to enjoy some glorious displays of heather which added a lot of vibrancy to the many shades of green on the moors.
You’ll reach Selworthy Beacon 4.9km (3 miles) into the walk and this marks the end of the inclines. There’s a marker but to be honest the views are no more special than the walk along the moor to this point.
Completing the circuit
From Selworthy Beacon you have another 450m on a grassy track along the moors before you reach a road and bear left.
The road section is only 150m and it’s very quiet and scenic so it’s not a hardship.
After 150m, 5.5km (3.4 miles) into the walk, you need to turn right onto a narrow footpath and then right again when you reach the wide gravel road.
Roughly 300m later, or 5.7km (3.5 miles) into the walk you need to head right, steeply downhill on a bridleway, signposted for Selworthy.
The first 400m is quite steep before the gradient slackens. Approximately 100m later you head right, into the woods.
The walk now takes you through more beautiful woodland and the track will soon flatten completely.
You’re now just a short walk from the road where you’ll come out at All Saints Church, moments from the car park where you started.
Parking for the Selworthy Circular Walk
There are a couple of different car parks you could use, which are minutes apart. The first is the donation based car park at the Selworthy church, the second is the free National Trust car park, postcode TA24 8TR, you can see it on Google maps here.
The National Trust car park is currently free for everyone, not just for members, though there is a donation box if you aren’t a member and are feeling generous.
Neither car park is huge but we parked twice in August with no trouble.
Selworthy is a 10 minute drive from Minehead and Porlock.
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