Bruton Circular or from Castle Cary (via Hauser and Wirth Somerset Gallery) walk

This excursion is centred on the remote Somerset town of Bruton, with its honey-coloured stone-built cottages, a large dovecote on a mound overlooking the townscape and a fine selection of lunch and tea options. It leads through a scenic South Somerset landscape of narrow steep-sided valleys and coombes with some fast flowing streams and rivers, with the route dipping in and out of the Brue, Alham and Pitt valleys. From the rolling hilltops you get some far views across to the range forming the boundary with Wiltshire and Dorset, with the local landmark Alfred’s Tower, a folly, on top of it. The route leads close to the renowned art gallery Hauser & Wirth Somerset, and a short version of the walk leaves enough time for an extended visit to it and/or its fascinating bar and restaurant. The recommended lunch stop on the main walk is a very fine country inn in Batcombe.

As a Figure-of-Eight walk, you can walk the two loops in reverse order.
A shortcut in the morning, with lunch in Bruton, enables a longer visit to the Hauser & Wirth art gallery for an exhibition and/or for lunch or tea. This cuts 8.8 km/5.5 mi and 175m ascent, the resulting 16.2 km/10.1 mi walk is rated 4/10.
A shortcut towards the end, avoiding the final ascent up to Ridge Lane, cuts 1 km and 42m ascent.
An extension just before lunch, further up the narrow Alham Valley, adds 3.1 km/1.9 mi and 150m ascent.
An extension in the afternoon adds 2.9 km/1.8 mi with 95m ascent. Bus line 667 from Shepton Montague to Castle Cary enables a finish at The Montague Inn.
An alternative start from Castle Cary (one stop further along the same line, but with more frequent – and faster – train services) adds 3.9 km/2.5 mi and 88m ascent/descent.

Saturday Walkers’ Club: Bruton and Castle Cary are outside the Network Southeast Railcard zone. Off-Peak returns for morning departures can be prohibitively expensive. Advance tickets are usually the better option. Take the earliest train you can.

The Three Horseshoes Inn Batcombe, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 6HE (01749 850 359). The Horseshoes is located 8.9 km/5.5 mi into the walk. Currently closed.
On the Brook Coombe Farm, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0QP (01749 813 048). On the Brook is located 150m off route, 15.1 km/9.4 mi into the walk (6.3 km/3.9 mi into the shortened walk). Coombe Farm is one of the four original farms in Bruton, nestled between woodland and the picturesque Coombe Brook, just outside the present-day village.
Hive Bruton 95 High Street, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0AR (01749 937 420). Hive Bruton is located 15.9 km/9.9 mi into the main walk and 7.1 km/4.4 mi into the shortened walk.
At the Chapel High Street, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0AE (01749 814 070). The Chapel is located 15.9 km/9.9 mi into the main walk and 7.1 km/4.4 mi into the shortened walk. The Chapel is a Grade II listed former chapel, and the restaurant puts a Mediterranean touch to British food.
The Sun Inn 33 High Street, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0AH (01749 813 493). The Sun is located 15.8 km/9.9 mi into the main walk and 7.0 km/4.4 mi into the shortened walk.
The Bruton Castle 45 High Street, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0AW (01749 812 104). The Castle is located 15.8 km/9.9 mi into the main walk and 7.0 km/4.4 mi into the shortened walk. Currently closed.
Matt’s Kitchen 51 High Street, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0AW (01749 812 027).
The Old Pharmacy 3 High Street, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0AB (01749 813 111). A wine bar and deli.
Osip 1 High Street, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0AB (01749 813 322). A farm-to-table restaurant. Tends to be fully booked weeks ahead.
Roth Bar & Grill Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Durslade Farm, Dropping Lane, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0NL (01749 814 700). The Roth Bar & Grill is located 350m off-route, 16.8 km/10.5 mi into the main walk and 8.0 km/5.0 mi into the shortened walk. It is named after one of the more than 60 artists Hauser & Wirth are representing: Swissman Dieter Roth, and decorated with numerous art works along its walls and off its ceiling. It includes a site-specific bar created by Björn and Oddur Roth, the son and grandson of Dieter Roth. On weekends, a booking is recommended.

The Montague Inn Shepton Montague, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 8JW (01749 813 213). The Montague is located 21.5 km/13.4 mi into main walk (or 12.7 km/7.9 mi into the shortened walk) if following the afternoon extension, and a friendly gastro pub.
Cole Manor Tea Rooms Cole Manor, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0PJ. Closed in 11/18 as running a business from the premises was contravening its mortgage conditions. Located 2.6 km from the end of all walk options.
The Godminster Farm Shop Station Road, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0EH (01749 813 733). The farm shop is selling beautifully packaged, vintage organic Cheddar, handmade Brie, gourmet crackers, tangy chutney, infused vodka spirit & more, as well as serving hot drinks. The farm itself is passed in the afternoon.

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Start BA10 0EH Map Directions

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National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Travelline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Nov-21 Thomas G