Ham Hill
Rising 260 ft above the surrounding countryside, 6 miles northwest of Yeovil, Ham Hill is a 164-hectare country park centred on a huge Iron Age hill fort.
Constructed between 600BC and 100BC, the earthworks are man-made slopes which follow the natural contours of the land.
People have been drawn to Ham Hill for thousands of years, and it is easy to see why.
Following the ramparts of the hill fort for three miles around its contour affords incredible views of the South Somerset Moors, Exmoor and the Mendip Hills.
Later on, in medieval times (12th – 16th century) the locals quarried for the honey-gold hamstone from which they built their houses.
This warm-coloured stone gives the local villages Montacute, Stoke-sub-hamdon and Norton-sub-Hamdon their unique and beautiful character.
The gold stone was also used in stately homes as Barrington Court, Tintinhull and Montacute House.
Walking
We used to live in this area and therefore we have visited Ham Hill many times.
The War Memorial that stands on top of Ham Hill can be seen from three counties. For us it always served as a beacon guiding us home.
A short Easy Access circular trail starts at the car park.
It follows a compacted gravel path around the northern spur of Ham Hill with a small ascent to the war memorial for fantastic views across Somerset.
A slightly longer Geology Trail starts at the Ham Hill Centre and takes you to 7 locations that demonstrate particular points of interest about Hamstone.
Our favourite is a great 6-mile circular towards Montacute House.
This trail will lead you through the stunning and ancient South Somerset countryside.
You will experience the history of Ham Hill because along the way you will pass through beautiful hamstone hamlets.
Liberty Trail
The Iron hill fort at Ham Hill Country Park marks the start of the Liberty Trail.
This 28-mile route follows the footsteps of people who, in 1685, walked to join the protestant Monmouth rebellion at Lyme taking in Crewkerne and Forde Abbey.
For the last stretch through Dorset into Lyme Regis via the Iron Age hillforts of Lamberts and Coneys Castles it is coincident with the Wessex Ridgeway.
The Liberty Trail links the Leland Trail to the South West Coast Path, so the energetic could extend the walk.
Leland Trail
The Leland Trail is a 28-mile regional footpath route through traditional lowland landscape in the heart of rural South Somerset.
A moderately experienced walker can complete the entire route in 2 days.
This trail starts at King Alfred’s Tower, passes the quant village of Bruton, heads toward Montacute House and ends at Ham Hill Country Park.
The Leland Trail also runs concurrently with the Monarch’s Way.
Monarch’s Way
The Monarch’s Way is a 615-mile long-distance footpath that follows the escape route taken by King Charles II in 1651 after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester.
He travelled first north towards Wales, then south through the Cotswolds and the Mendips where he entered Somerset.
Down to Wells, Glastonbury and Montacute, King Charles II then headed for the South Coast. Finally, he travelled along the South Downs to Shoreham where he made his escape to France.
Cool Places to Explore: Montacute House | Barrington Court | Tintinhull House & Garden | Cadbury Castle.
Cool Places to Eat: The Prince of Wales | The Phelips Arms | The Masons Arms | The Lord Poulett Arms.
Great Places to Stay: The Barrington Boar | The Devonshire Arms.