What to expect
Quantock Hills
An area of outstanding natural beauty
Delightful Watchet
Historical & charming coastal town
Weston-Super-Mare
The famous Victorian pier
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About this trip...
Join us again this coming summer on our popular Somerset Solos fully guided walking weekend. Discover and explore the West Somerset Coast path, the natural beauty and tranquillity of the Quantock Hills along with Weston-super Mare’s hidden gem - Sand Bay.
Activity Level:
What's this?What's included?
Return Bus transfers on first days walk-
Steam Train ticket Williton to Watchet
Single room with private facilities
Half Board: Breakfast and three course evening dinner 
FREE bar 6pm – 10 pm each evening and live entertainment-
Welcome drink & information meeting
2 x fully guided walking days
Blue Badge Walking Guide-
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
What's extra:
- International flights are not included
- Travel insurance
- Tips & drinks
- Meals not included in the itinerary
- Activities not included in the itinerary
- Room Upgrades - Larger Superior Single from £35 per stay
Itinerary
- Arrive & Check In
- Somerset Coast & Quantock Hills
- Weston Woods to Sandy Bay
- Departure Day
What you’ll be doing
Day One: Arrive & Check In
Check-in to hotel, meet our tour leader, fellow Solos guests and enjoy our first evening meal.
- Dinner Included
Day Two: Somerset Coast and Quantock Hills
Our first days walk begins by taking our bus to the start of the walk to the picturesque village of Kilve. This where we join the West Somerset Coast Path. The symbol for the path is an ammonite and the West Coast Path is often called Somerset's Jurassic Coast due to the number of fossils which have been found. Our route takes us 7 miles along the coastal path and then we head into the Quantock Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), first designated in 1956. Along the walk we will enjoy magnificent seaward views across the Bristol Channel to Wales and inward views to the Quantock Hills and Exmoor. Our guide along the way will explain about the surroundings regarding the wealth of geology that has made the shores a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with wonderful rock formations. to the top of the Quantocks. We then descend down through Forestry Commission land past 17th and 18th century parkland and stop at a pub for a short break. From here we walk to Williton and catch the steam train to take us into Watchet on the West Somerset Railway, Britain's longest preserved railway of which runs 20 miles from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead.
Apart from fossils, the coast at Kilve is rich in oil-bearing shale and large sums of money were invested in the past of a hoped oil boom. Little of this remains today except of the old oil retort built in the early 1900s. After leaving the coast path we will head into the Quantocks and join the Coleridge Way and Quantock Greenway. The Coleridge Way was opened in 2005 and links several sites associated with the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge starting from Coleridge Cottage at Nether Stowey. The Quantock Greenway was founded in 2001. On this leg of the walk we pass through deciduous and coniferous woodland and the route takes us up 337m
Watchet harbour dates to the 15th century and up until mid-1900s was a thriving seaport with ships taking iron ore from the Brendon Hills to Newport. Today it is a popular marina with cafes, pubs and shops. Half-way along the Esplanade is a bronze statue celebrating the Ancient Mariner as Samuel Taylor Coleridge is said to have been inspired to write the Rime of Ancient Mariner whilst staying in Watchet. There will be an optional short tour of the village including a walk up to an area known as Daw s Castle. This is an area of low earthworks dating to the 9th century built by Alfred the Great to protect the region from Viking attack. From here we will enjoy 360 degree panoramic views. We will then take our bus back to our hotel
Watchet harbour dates to the 15th century and up until mid-1900s was a thriving seaport with ships taking iron ore from the Brendon Hills to Newport. Today it is a popular marina with cafes, pubs and shops. Half-way along the Esplanade is a bronze statue celebrating the Ancient Mariner as Samuel Taylor Coleridge is said to have been inspired to write the Rime of Ancient Mariner whilst staying in Watchet. There will be an optional short tour of the village including a walk up to an area known as Daw s Castle. This is an area of low earthworks dating to the 9th century built by Alfred the Great to protect the region from Viking attack. From here we will enjoy 360 degree panoramic views. We will then take our bus back to our hotel
- Walking Distance 10 miles
- Actual Walking Time 5 hours
- Ascent 337m
- Medium walking with some long steep hills
- Bus Transfer hotel to Kilve – approx 1 hour Steam Train Williton to Watchet Bus
- Transfer Watchet to hotel - approx 1 hour
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day Three: Weston Woods to Sand Bay
Today we meet our walking guide at our hotel to begin our walk. We take the road to the entrance of Weston Woods and continue onto the Lower Road to Sand Bay. On the way we can enjoy the lovely views across the Bristol Channel and Sand Bay. After a refreshment stop we walk along the beach to Sandy Point where we can enjoy views across to the Brean Peninsular. From here we walk back to Weston Woods taking the higher road to the Iron Age Hill fort. The fort is unique in that it was built of stone and has the remains of several storage pits from nearly 3,000 years ago. From here we walk towards the Prince Consort Gardens before heading back to our hotel.
During the days walk we will stop for lunch and refreshments (at own cost) along the route.
- Walking Distance 7 Miles approx
- Actual Walking Time 3.5 hours approx
- Medium walking mostly flat but some slopes up to Sandy Point & Weston Woods
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day Four: Departure Day
After a leisurely breakfast, its time to check out and perhaps have a final meander around Weston-Super-Mare before heading home
- Breakfast
Accommodation
The New Ocean Hotel 2*
This lovely, simple and traditional family-run hotel, fast becoming a Solos favourite, is perfectly situated opposite Weston’s famous Marine Lake and offers panoramic views over Weston Bay and beyond making this a perfect base for our North Somerset walking break . It’s unrivalled position along the promenade is only a few minutes stroll to the town centre and a short taxi ride away form Weston Super-Mare railway station.
Facilities include
Enjoy the many facilities on offer including a large dance floor and a nightly entertainment programme in the bar/lounge area with a fully stocked bar. Wifi is available in the bar/lounge area and is provided free of charge
Room includes
All single rooms are equipped with full en-suite facilities, direct dial telephones, flat screen digital television, hairdryer, many rooms have level access from the lift.
Room upgrades available
Larger Superior Single – from £35 per stay
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
Location & Transport
Weston Super-Mare ( North Somerset) is located off Junction 21 of the M5. Take the A370 into Weston Super-Mare
Our hotel is situated opposite Weston’s famous Marine Lake, a few minutes stroll to the town centre where we can enjoy the numerous shops, theatres and attractions. Weston–Super–Mare Railway Station is approximately a 10 minute taxi journey away. There are 5 car parking spaces and these are allocated on a first come first served basis. There is also additional parking on the road and a long stay car park situated 250m away - Melrose car park, Weston-super-mare BS23 2AW. Over four hours up to 24 hours - £14.00
Walking Programme
Two guided walks are included in the programme.
Day 1 – Somerset Coast & Quantock Hills Bus Transfer hotel to Kilve – approx 1 hour Bus Transfer Watchet to hotel - approx 1 hour Walking Distance 10 miles Actual Walking Time 5 hours Medium walking with some long quite steep hills Steam Train from Williton to Watchet
Day 2 – Weston Woods to Sand Bay Walking Distance 7 Miles Actual Walking Time 3.5 hours Medium walking mostly flat but some slopes up to the woods.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking. It is recommended to bring water & snacks for the walk. You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet.
If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it.
Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays Ltd cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.
What to wear
It is of paramount importance that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. Experience has shown that wearing 2 pairs of woollen socks adds to comfort. Whilst we would hope for good weather during your holiday, it is of course impossible to guarantee this. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take: Walking boots with good ankle support Waterproofs – jacket and trousers Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets Shirts or t-shirts for walking in Walking socks – several pairs Lightweight fleece or jumper Hat & gloves Daysack/rucksack for walking Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses
Gratuities
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. The Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides and hotel staff (including restaurant, kitchen and reception staff) of approximately £5. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of bar staff and housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (the rounding up of the drinks bill and a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, restaurants expect a 10% gratuity (do check that service has not already been added to your bill). For taxis 10% of the metered fare.
Dress Code
The dress code for during the evening is casual.
