THERE are few better ways to work off a gigantic Christmas lunch than a brisk, hearty walk in the countryside – and in Somerset, you are quite simply spoilt for choice.

Whether you’re stomping through puddles on a woodland path, hiking along the coast or using a flat and level cycle route, the post-Christmas lunch walk is a great way to burn off calories and catch up with relatives.

Somerset may not have the greatest public transport system in the country, but it has a huge network of footpaths and other rights of way, along with a growing number of cycle routes, both on- and off-road.

Over the last 12 months, the Local Democracy Reporting Service has been bringing you live-streams from exciting active travel projects across Somerset, providing new and improved links between communities which make it easier to commute, get healthier and explore our amazing county.

So, if you fancy venturing a little further afield this Christmas, or are looking for somewhere new to explore, here are 11 options you might want to consider…

  • Express Park to Northgate Docks, Bridgwater: Bridgwater’s walking and cycling network (collectively known as the Bridgwater Way) have received numerous improvements in the last few years, thanks to funding from Somerset Council, the government’s levelling up fund and EDF Energy as part of the Hinkley Point C construction programme. This stretch of path provides a vital link between the Express Park – a major employment hub north of the town centre – and the historic docks, which will soon be regenerated as part of the £23.2m Bridgwater town deal. The route follows the right bank of the river, skirting close to the River Parrett Trail near the town’s recycling centre. Once the Bridgwater tidal barrier is in place, you’ll be able to cross safely from one side of the river to another.
  • The Steam Coast Trail, Dunster to Blue Anchor: the Steam Coast Trail is intended to eventually provide an unbroken active travel route between Minehead and Williton, building on existing footpaths and cycle routes. Two off-road stretches are currently open – a short section north of Washford railway station, and the longer section from Dunster Beach car park to the seafront at Blue Anchor. While most of the path is hard-standing, the eastern section runs along the shingle beach – meaning you may need to use one of the spades provided along the route to clear your path following heavy wind or rain. Most of the path is set far enough back from the beach, but it never hurts to double-check the tides before you travel.
  • Frome Missing Links, Frome: like the Steam Coast Trail, the Frome Missing Links project is being spearheaded by willing volunteers to close the gaps between existing footpaths and cycling routes. The longest section which is now open to the public begins on Welshmill Lane, a short distance from the Cheese and Grain music venue and other local car parks. From there, it winds along the River Frome heading north towards the railway line – crossing working farmland in the process. In time, this path will link up with the Colliers Way active travel route, providing an unbroken cycling route between Frome and Radstock.
  • The Stop Line Way, Ilminster to Chard: the Stop Line Way (also known as National Cycle Network route 33) runs for 75 miles from Weston-super-Mare to Axminster. The route is named after the Taunton Stop Line, a military defence constructed in 1940 to limit the progress of the Nazis if they successfully invaded the British mainline during Operation Sea Lion. The route from Ilminster to Chard is almost completely off-road, following the trackbed of the former Great Western Railway line past the beautiful Chard Reservoir. With more housing development planned in both towns, this route could be enhanced considerably in the years ahead.
  • The River Parrett Trail, Muchelney to Langport: as the name suggests, the River Parrett Trail runs along the entire length of the river, from its source in Cheddington to the Bristol Channel near Bridgwater. The section from Muchelney to Langport is especially picturesque, starting a short distance from the village’s historic abbey and ending on Cocklemoor, where there are plenty of picnic tables, benches and even a table tennis table. For those feeling ambitious, the route intersects with the South Somerset Cycleway, which provides an 80-mile loop across the former South Somerset district (and a small section over the border into Dorset). If you’re feeling especially brave, you can even try swimming in the river – and there are plenty of life belts along the banks if you or someone else runs into difficulty in the cold winter waters.
  • Willow Cathedral route, Taunton: Taunton benefits from a huge green lung which runs from French Weir Park near the River Tone through Longrun Meadow all the way out to the Silk Mills park and ride site near Bishop’s Hull. This entire area is criss-crossed with numerous footpaths and cycle paths, giving you plenty of options for exploring the entire area – and dogs are welcome throughout. A particular highlight is the extraordinary willow cathedral within Longrun Meadow, a living sculpture created in 2011 by local artists Stefan Jennings and Sophie Courtiour. Since the site forms part of Taunton’s flood defences, it can be quite damp underfoot, so bring your wellingtons or hiking boots
  • The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, Maunsel: this historic canal runs for 14 miles between the Firepool regeneration site in Taunton and the Northgate Docks in Bridgwater. Either terminus is a good place to begin, with the tow-paths being kept in reasonable shape by the Canal and Rivers Trust and there being a number of car parks nearby. By starting in the middle, however, you can take in the solar system walk, with the scale model of the Sun and the planets stretching off in either direction. While the tea rooms at Maunsel Lock won’t be open on Christmas Day, there are plenty of benches along the route where you can rest and take a drink.
  • The Mineral Line, Washford to Watchet: this section of a former historic former railway line once transported iron ore from the Brendon Hills in the heart of the Exmoor National Park. The line begins near Washford Village Hall, where there is sufficient parking (with an honesty box on the hall door) and ends a short walk from Watchet seafront with its quirky shops and distinctive sculptures. Following the closure of the B3191 Cleeve Hill, this walk is one of the best ways to access Watchet from the west, taking in views of the former paper mill site in the process. The route also runs alongside the West Somerset Railway heritage line, so if you time it right (and turn up on the right day) you may catch a glimpse of a steam train.
  • Wellington’s green wedge, Rockwell Green to Wellington: shortly before its abolition, Somerset West and Taunton Council used public funds to secured large swathes of land between Wellington and its neighbouring village of Rockwell Green. The ‘green wedge’ has been safeguarded on a 150-year lease, preventing the two settlements from merging as more housing developments come on stream. The shortest stretch runs from Rockwell Green Primary School to Wellington Sports Centre, which has plenty of parking space. For those wishing to take a longer route, there are footpaths snaking north over the railway line which will lead you all the way to the historic Tonedale Mill.
  • Former Great Western Canal route, Wellington: the Great Western Canal once ran between Taunton and Tiverton and include the historic Nynehead boat lift near Wellington. While much of the Somerset leg of the canal has disappeared from view since its closure in 1867, this section remains open as a footpath (albeit one which is very muddy underfoot and quite narrow in place. Walkers can either park in the Lidl car park and walk towards Tonedale Mill from the west, or park near the Mill and carry out the same journey in reverse. With Wellington expected to get a new railway station by September 2025, this path will grow in importance as a means to reconnect the town’s industrial history and commercial spaces to national rail services
  • The Strawberry Line, Westbury-sub-Mendip to Easton: when completed, the Strawberry Line will provide an uninterrupted car-free route between the coast at Clevedon and the eastern edge of Shepton Mallet. The last 12 months have seen huge progress made with closing the remaining gaps, with two new sections opening in Shepton Mallet in March and work to extend the path east of Wells moving steadily forward. The newest section lies in the shadow of the Mendip Hills area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), connecting the villages of Westbury-sub-Mendip and Easton. This section runs for around a mile in total, taking in picturesque hills and historic railway cuttings, and joins up with other local footpaths if you fancied doing a larger loop.