Wellington Monument and Culmstock Beacon loop from Culmstock

A 10.5 mile circular walk across the Blackdown Hills on the borders of Somerset and Mid Devon. Starting from Culm Valley Inn pub’s car park in Culmstock, over the beautiful grade II listed stone Culmstock Bridge of medieval origins and then, a quick stop at All Saints Church, a listed medieval building well known for its 200-year-old yew tree that grows out of its tower. The walk continues along the river Culm, then through fields and farmlands and a short section of quiet road through a village of Culm Davy (at 2.2mi) and through more fields before entering a steep small quiet road (230 feet ascent over 0.4 mi) followed by 1.5 miles of woodland and a short flat walk on a busy road (single file on the side of the road), then through a line of trees to Wellington Monument (at 5.6mi), our lunch stop, where we can see the extensive views over the town of Wellington and the River Tone. 

Then, slightly drop down to a short walk on road and lane section before entering a woodland leading to Sampford Point View (a Site of Special Scientific Interest, at 7.5mi). The walk continues along Blackdown Common heathland passing a couple of ponds and shortly after that, the Culmstock Beacon of Culmstock (at 9mi). From here we can enjoy the magnificent views of the Culm Valley and the river Culm. We then have a 200yard steep descent to the last short walk-through fields and a farm leading to the village of Culmstock where we started.