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 3/10.
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.

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. Open 11.00-15.00 and 18.00-23.00 Tue-Fri (also summer Mondays), 11.00-23.00 Sat and 12.00-18.00 Sun. Food served 12.00-14.30 and 18.00-21.00 Tue-Sat (also summer Mondays) and 12.00-14.30 Sun.
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). Open every day 09.00-17.00. 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.
The Table 95 High Street, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0AR (01749 812 180). The Table is located 15.9 km/9.9 mi into the main walk and 7.1 km/4.4 mi into the shortened walk. Open Thu 11.00-14.00 & 18.00-21.00, Fri 09.00-21.00, Sat 12.00-15.00 and Sun 11.00-14.00. Managed by a catering outfit.
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. Open daily from 08.00. Food served 12.00-21.00 Mon-Sat and 12.00-20.00 Sun. 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. Open all day. Homemade food served 12.00-14.30 and 18.00-22.00 daily. With a full Persian Menu in the evenings.
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. Open 16.00-23.00 Mon, 19.00-23.00 Tue, 12.00-23.00 Wed-Thu, 12.00-24.00 Fri-Sat and 12.00-22.30 Sun. Food served Wed-Sun 12.00-14.30 and 17.30-21.30.
Matt’s Kitchen 51 High Street, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0AW (01749 812 027). Open for dinner only: Thu, Fri and Sat. BYO with £3 corkage.
Osip 1 High Street, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0AB (01749 813 322). A farm-to-table restaurant, open Thu-Sun 12.00-14.30 and 18.00-21.30.
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. Open Tue-Sun from 10.00 for breakfast, lunch served 12.00-16.00, tea served 14.00-16.00, dinner served from 18.00 (Fri only). 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. Open 12.00-15.00 and 18.00-23.00 Tue-Sat and 12.00-15.00 Sun. Food served 12.00-14.00 and 19.00-21.00 Mon-Sat and 12.00-14.30 Sun.
Cole Manor Tea Rooms Cole Manor, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0PJ. Closed down in 11/18 as running a business from the premises was found to be contravening their 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. Open to 17.00 Mon-Fri, to 17.30 Sat and to 16.00 Sun. The farm itself is passed in the afternoon.