LOCATION: West of Bridgwater, close to Taunton, Somerset, 

DISTANCE: 36 miles / 58 km

SUMMARY: This figure-of-eight walk visits the villages around the lower parts of the Quantock hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

There's a single opportunity to traverse the Quantocks themselves, rising up 300 metres over the Quantock ridge.

Crowcombe makes a good base (The Carew Arms does accommodation), especially for the northern section, with Fyne Court/Broomfield a good spot for the southern section.

PUBS: The Carew Arms, Crowcombe; The Bicknoller Inn, Bicknoller; The Blue Ball, Triscombe; The Rising Sun, West Bagborough; The Lamb Inn, Spaxton; The Tynte Arms, Enmore.

LOCATION: Across Somerset & East Devon.

DISTANCE: 50 miles / 80 km

SUMMARY: This route connects the Bristol Channel with the English Channel, a shorter alternative to the Two Moors Way further West, and a nod to the Coast to Coast path in the North of England!

Linear walks can be logistically tricky, but both ends at Seaton & Watchet are well served by buses, and have options for overnight stays and food to facilitate preparation or celebration.

PUBS: In Somerset, excl Taunton: The Star Inn, Watchet (excellent food); Pebbles Tavern (regular CAMRA  cider pub of the year); The White Horse, Stogumber; The Rising Sun, West Bagborough; Queens Arms, Pitminster; The Candlelight Inn, Bishopswood (is this Surrey Hills?); and in Devon, The Malthouse, Seaton

LOCATION: A selection of Butcombe Brewery pubs across the Mendip Hills.

DISTANCE: 47 miles / 75 km

SUMMARY: The trail makes a circuit of the Mendip Hills. It runs from Hinton Blewett in the east through Priddy, Cheddar, Axbridge, Bleadon – its western end, Rowberrow, and Compton Martin.

The trail consists of 6 x legs linking up 6 x Butcombe pubs, which can be done in any order.

The route is clearly way-marked as the Butcombe Trail and full instructions can be found on the maps.

An OS route is also available via the Long Distance Walkers Association and, if so inclined, you can try the Butcombe Trail Ultramarathon!

PUBS: The Queens Arms, Bleadon; The Swan Inn, Rowberrow; Ring O'Bells, Compton Martin (pictured); The Ring O Bells, Hinton Blewett; The Queen Victoria, Priddy;  The Lamb, Axbridge.

LOCATION: River Exe, from its source on Exmoor to the sea via Exeter.

DISTANCE: 45 miles / 72 km.

SUMMARY: This well marked trail is worth following for the marvellous pubs listed here alone!

The path stretches from the South West Coast Path National Trail on the Exe Estuary to the village of Exford on the high land of Exmoor National Park.

An additional 12km/7.5 miles route links Exford to Exe Head, the source of the River Exe, high upon the moor.

Most of the route follows beside the River Exe.

At the northern end of the route, the route follows the River Barle, a tributary of the River Exe, before rejoining the Exe at Exford. 

A mix of canal towpath, quiet country lanes, fields, woodlands and remote, open moorland - some strenuous climbs.

PUBS: Exmoor Forest Inn, Simonsbath; Royal Oak, Withypool; The Bridge Inn, Dulverton; Exeter Inn, outside Bampton; The Swan, Bampton; Fishermans Cot, Bickleigh Mill; Thorveton Arms, Thorveton; Agricultural Inn, Bramford Speke

LOCATION: Around Portishead, either side of the Gordano Valley.

DISTANCE: 26 miles / 42 km

SUMMARY: This figure of eight walk takes you on a tour of the coast, countryside, woodland and villages around Portishead in North Somerset.

You start in the town centre of Portishead and soon join the splendid coastal path along the Severn Estuary towards Clevedon.

At Clevedon the route then heads inland through some delightful countryside, passing through the pretty village of Clapton in Gordano before returning to Portishead via Abbots Leigh and Easton in Gordano.

The walk was devised by the Gordano Footpath Group and is waymarked with their symbol throughout.

PUBS: The Ship, Portishead; The Old Inn, Clevedon; Black Horse, Clapton in Gordano; The George, Abbots Leigh; The Phoenix Bar, Portishead.

LOCATION: South Devon.

DISTANCE: 100 miles / 160 km

SUMMARY: This 100 mile circular route, launched in 2025 by South Hams Ramblers group, guides you through one of the most spectacular areas of the UK.

The South Hams Way website suggests splitting the route into 10 sections and provides details for each.

The route includes fifty spectacular miles on the South West Coast Path, from Noss Mayo to Salcombe and onwards to Dartmouth in the east.

PUBS: Check out this terrific 'Pubs in Devon' website curated by Simon, a Devon-based pub lover.

Try The Pigs Nose, East Prawle and The Pilchard on Burgh Island for something different! The Tower, Slapton will be delighted to see you: all local businesses have been hammered by the A379 coastal road storm damage near Torcross. The Durant Arms, Ashprington is absolutely worth the walk, but there are many pubs within 2 miles of it that would qualify too!

LOCATION: East Devon, Exmouth to Lyme Regis via inland route, rather than the coast path.

DISTANCE: 38 miles / 61 km

SUMMARY: The traditional way to connect Exmouth in Devon to Lyme Regis in Dorset is the South West Coast Path (SWCP).

Instead, this is an inland route, taking in the AONB of East Devon, and part of the landscape of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, and linking with the SWCP at both ends.

The path includes estuary, high open commons, woodlands and river valleys & some cracking pubs! The route includes some fairly steep climbs but is generally not challenging.

There is rail access to Exmouth via the scenic 'Avocet' branch line from Exeter, following the River Exe via Topsham, and buses serve both ends of the route.

PUBS: The Swan, Lympstone; The Cannon Inn, Newton Poppleford; Bowd Inn, Bowd Cross; The Red Lion, Sidbury; Gerard Arms or The Kingfisher, Colyton; The Hind, Musbury; Talbot Arms, Uplyme.