Leland Trail

The Leland Trail is a 28-mile (45.1 km) footpath in Somerset, England. It was named after the antiquary John Leland, and runs from King Alfred's Tower in Penselwood, southwest to Ham Hill Country Park near Yeovil.[1]

Leland Trail
Montacute, showing the tower of the Church of St. Catherine
Length28 mi (45 km)
LocationSomerset, England
TrailheadsPenselwood/Ham Hill Country Park
UseHiking

History

The path was established by creating rights of way via tracks and lanes. It is named after John Leland, who visited South Somerset during the years 1535–1543.[1] In his role as royal librarian, his journeys and tasks during that period were mapped out for him by King Henry VIII. His job was to reveal to the King all reference to "antiquities" and possessions of the local churches and priories.[2] The exact route taken by Leland over much of South Somerset may never be known but the remaining records of the time form the basis of the trail.

Route
Bruton from the dovecote

Typical all day walks allow the track to be traversed in manageable stages. The route may be broken into seven parts.[3]

The walk from Penselwood to Bruton is fairly easy going for 5 miles (8.0 km) and takes about three hours. Then the journey onward to Castle Cary takes a little over two hours to cover the next 4 miles (6.4 km). The next stage to North Cadbury will add about another two hours to the journey. Queen Camel is a further 4 miles (6.4 km) and takes just over two hours.

The rest of the trail from Queen Camel to Ilchester covers mainly level ground and takes about two hours for a distance of 5 miles (8.0 km). Montacute is the next "port of call" en route, and the slightly more difficult terrain means well over two hours to complete the next 4 miles (6.4 km). Reaching Ham Hill, the end of the trail, takes another hour.

Places of interest
King Alfred's Tower

The forest of Penselwood. Bruton has its packhorse bridge, dovecote and famous twin-towered church. Near Castle Cary is Cadbury Castle, whose summit offers a spectacular panorama of the South Somerset countryside. The busy military airfield at Yeovilton is also home to the Fleet Air Arm Museum. Montacute House is also close to the site of the former Cluniac Montacute Priory. At Ham Hill Country Park, Exmoor, the Quantock Hills, and the Bristol Channel can be seen. Looking east is the trail's starting point, Alfred's Tower.

Intersecting trails

The Leland Trail links with the Monarch's Way at Ilchester, and the Liberty Trail and the River Parrett Trail at Ham Hill.[4]

Key points and map
Point Coordinates
(Links to map resources)		 OS Grid Ref Notes
Start 51.115°N 2.36°W / 51.115; -2.36 (King Alfred's Tower) ST744352 King Alfred's Tower in Penselwood
Packhorse bridge 51.113°N 2.45°W / 51.113; -2.45 (Bruton) ST683350 Bruton
Market town and Cadbury Castle 51.087°N 2.513°W / 51.087; -2.513 (Castle Cary) ST641322 Castle Cary
North Cadbury Court 51.045°N 2.522°W / 51.045; -2.522 (North Cadbury) ST635275 North Cadbury
River Cam and Church of St Barnabas 51.020°N 2.578°W / 51.020; -2.578 (Queen Camel) ST595247 Queen Camel
River Yeo 51.001°N 2.682°W / 51.001; -2.682 (Ilchester) ST522226 Ilchester
Montacute House and Montacute Priory 50.95°N 2.72°W / 50.95; -2.72 (Monacute) ST4916 Montacute
End 50.950°N 2.743°W / 50.950; -2.743 (Ham Hill) ST478170 Ham Hill, Somerset

References
  1. "The Leland Trail". Discover South Somerset. Archived from the original on 30 October 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  2. "The Leland Trail". Walking Pages. Archived from the original on 9 February 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  3. "Leland Trail". Walking Pages. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  4. "Liberty Trail". Walking on the Web. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
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