October brings its own unique beauty to the outdoors, the shift from summer's heat to autumn's cooler temperatures creates a perfect environment for outdoor exploration. Walking in October means traversing paths adorned with a tapestry of red, orange, and gold leaves.
As the temperatures drop, the importance of social interaction becomes paramount for maintaining mental and emotional well-being. With Somerset being one of the more rural counties in the UK, Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) endeavours to bring the people in these communities together through the medium of physical activity.
One project in particular that focuses on the importance of this social interaction is our one-to-one volunteer and participant programme called ‘Move More Together’, as Somerset Life discovered. This is a programme designed to encourage adults over 50 who wish to move a bit more to get active again through the support of a volunteer who can motivate, guide and of course, provide some friendly conversation. If this sounds of interest, either of getting involved as a participant or volunteer, please do enquire with SASP.
THE WALK
Chargot Woods is part of the Chargot Estate, and the West Somerset Mineral Line. If you follow one of the routes, you’ll find yourself visiting one of the old mining flues. This route is located to the west of Taunton in the beautiful natural forestry of Exmoor National Park.
Get more picturesque walking ideas inside the latest edition of Somerset Life
1. The postcode for the car park for this walk is TA24 7DQ. This will take you off the B224 and into the car park which is free. A mildly challenging walk this one, as it has a few hills that you can’t escape. From the car park, you walk down into the woods, and what goes down, must come up!
This walk has a couple of signposted routes for you to take, but there’s plenty of opportunity to go off the beaten track. Our favourite route is to take the path to the right of the car park. Why is it our favourite? Because the opposite hill you can walk up is far nicer and doesn’t seem to drag on! This route will take you down the hill, and into a valley where there will be a small pool of water, and from there, you can pick any route you like, but I would recommend looking for ‘Langham Engine House Trail’. You will see it on the map situated in the car park.
2. Shortly along this path, you will notice that it diverges in two – you’ll want to take the left path. You will be surrounded by birds, large and small, from the buzzards to quail to pheasants. It’s so much fun to see them scrabbling around, but if you happen to have dogs that love to flush, keep them close by - otherwise, you’ll have a cacophony of pheasant calls echoing around the woods!
3. Continue along this path until you get to a ‘T’ junction on the route, where you can take the left path and venture further into the woods. From here, stick to the right-hand side of the twisted path until you hit a crossroads.
4. You will soon encounter a bit of a crossroads, here you’ll want to go straight on (as if you were taking the second exit at a roundabout). It’s a stunning area, quiet and picturesque. Great for exploring, the ups and downs may be slightly challenging around this part but take it at your own pace!
5. Take this short path up until you hit a left turn and at this point you’re around halfway, then this should take you all the way back to the car park down a bendy and hilly path – now would be a good point to rest and appreciate the views!
GOOD TO KNOW:
1. Free Parking
2. Designated Paths
3. Involves Steep Slopes
4. Watch out for bikes!
5. Plentiful wildlife
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