River Parrett Trail

River Parrett Trail
View toward Burrow Hill from the River Parrett Trail on a misty morning
Length47 mi (76 km)
LocationDorset & Somerset
TrailheadsChedington/Bridgwater Bay
UseHiking

The River Parrett Trail is a long-distance footpath that can be used for walking, jogging, or running, following the route of the River Parrett in Somerset, England. The trail, which is 50 miles (80 km) long,[1][2] runs from Chedington in Dorset to the mouth of the river in Bridgwater Bay where it joins the West Somerset Coast Path.

It passes many landmarks and places of interest including; Burrow Hill Cider Farm, Muchelney Abbey, West Sedgemoor (a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the Blake Museum, Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum, the site of the Battle of Sedgemoor and finally discharging into Bridgwater Bay (another SSSI).

The trail is managed by The Parrett Trail Partnership, a consortium of agencies including:[3] Arts Council England, South West, British Waterways, Cannington Agricultural College, Country Land and Business Association, Natural England, Environment Agency, National Farmers Union, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Somerset Council, Somerset Wildlife Trust, South West Tourism, Take Art!, and Dorset Council.

Route and points of interest

[edit]

The following table lists key points of interest along the river.

Point Coordinates
(Links to map resources)
OS Grid Ref Notes
Source 50°50′49″N 2°43′59″W / 50.847°N 2.733°W / 50.847; -2.733 (Source) ST484055 near Chedington
A303 bridge 50°56′49″N 2°46′59″W / 50.947°N 2.783°W / 50.947; -2.783 (A303 bridge) ST450167 South Petherton
River Isle confluence 51°00′32″N 2°49′55″W / 51.009°N 2.832°W / 51.009; -2.832 (River Isle confluence) ST416237
River Yeo confluence 51°01′55″N 2°49′19″W / 51.032°N 2.822°W / 51.032; -2.822 (River Yeo confluence) ST424262
Bow Bridge 51°02′10″N 2°50′06″W / 51.036°N 2.835°W / 51.036; -2.835 (Bow Bridge) ST415266 Langport
Monk's Leaze Clyce 51°02′53″N 2°50′38″W / 51.048°N 2.844°W / 51.048; -2.844 (Monk's Leaze Clyce) ST408280 Regulates flow into Sowy River
River Tone confluence 51°04′01″N 2°55′01″W / 51.067°N 2.917°W / 51.067; -2.917 (River Tone confluence) ST357302 Located at Burrowbridge
Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum 51°05′28″N 2°56′38″W / 51.091°N 2.944°W / 51.091; -2.944 (Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum) ST339328
Town Bridge 51°07′44″N 3°00′04″W / 51.129°N 3.001°W / 51.129; -3.001 (Town Bridge) ST300372 Bridgwater
Drove Bridge 51°08′17″N 3°00′04″W / 51.138°N 3.001°W / 51.138; -3.001 (Drove Bridge) ST300382 Most seaward and newest road bridge on river[4]
Dunball Wharf 51°09′43″N 2°59′20″W / 51.162°N 2.989°W / 51.162; -2.989 (Dunball Wharf) ST309408
Mouth 51°13′44″N 3°00′32″W / 51.229°N 3.009°W / 51.229; -3.009 (Mouth) ST296482

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "River Parrett Trail". Long distance walkers association. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  2. ^ "The River Parrettt Trail" (PDF). South Somerset Council. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  3. ^ "The Parrett Trail Partnership". The Parret Trail Partnership. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
  4. ^ Statutory Instrument 1995 No. 270, NDR confirmation order
[edit]