Synopsis: A hard day in the saddle. Making use of the many tracks that criss-cross Exmoor I cycled from sea level to Exmoor’s highest point, Dunkery Beacon. A day of fresh winds but plenty of sunshine.
Am I getting too old for mountain biking? Probably! Well, lets just put it this way, as each year goes by the recovery period just gets longer. But this was an excellent ride, even though the stony tracks were tough going on certain parts of my anatomy.
The village of Dunster was first settled on the present site around 700AD and was first referenced in the Doomsday Book
I parked the car in Minehead, and made out for Dunster along a back lane. I probably dawdled too much in Dunster, enthralled by the quaintness of the place, which cost me a lot of time. Eventually I set out for Wootton Courtney, my first rest stop.
Gateway to the church
Wootton Courtney is a sleepy village of picturesque cottages. The setting is glorious, looking out towards Exmoor and Dunkery Beacon, my destination. I stop for a drink on a bench near the gate of the charming, and seemingly quite old, church.
Approaching the summit
Next I headed south from Wootton Courtney, picking up Spangate Lane. This rubble strewn lane is really hard going at first, but got easier as I progressed along it. Eventually, after crossing a field, I picked up a track that took me in the Direction of Dunkery Beacon, joining the lane near Kit Barrow Cairns. From here is another track up to Dunkery Beacon.
The cairn and horse riders
The wind was brisk and cold here at the summit of Dunkery Beacon. As I was taking photos a group of horse riders appeared, silhouetted against the early afternoon sun. I dropped a little off the peak to find shelter and have some rather late lunch.
It's the season!
From Dunkery Beacon I dropped via a bridleway to a lane, following which took me into bluebell woods by a stream. This would make a lovely location for a picnic, with a few parking spaces dotted along the lane. As I climbed out of the valley I picked up another bridleway, this time signposted Brockwells. This swooped around the hillside eventually dropping once again to Wootton Courtney.
Looking over Minehead
From Wootton Courtney I took a bridleway named Roadway Lane. This was a very steep climb, with little respite till I reached the top of Wootton Common. On the descent from here I was afforded a nice view between the trees out over Minehead.
St Andrew's Church and Queen Anne Statue
I entered Minehead at a district named Periton. Picking up Periton Lane, I followed this to the main road, then descended to the top end of Minehead High Street, dropping down to the sea front. Here I rested for a while and had a snack before returning to my car, parked behind Tesco.
