Dunkery Beacon from the North

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Wellington, Somerset, England, GB

Route Overview

Wellington Wheelers CC

Road Cycling and Mountain Biking in Somerset UK

58 mi.

5,537 ft.

A varied ride on Exmoor including Dunkery beacon from the North - one of Simon Warren's best 100 climbs in the UK.
The rest of the ride keeps off main roads and goes through some wonderful country lanes.

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Route Details

This route starts in Wellington - easily accessible from J26 of the M5. We usually start from the ASDA car park which is free to park on Sundays, there are several other car parks in the town.

The route heads north out of Wellington on the B3187 through Milverton, and climbs gently onto Exmoor through generally quiet roads, via the B3188 through Ford and Elworthy. After Elworthy you descend through woodland past historic @photo[Combe Sydenham](1349189) (Elizabethan Country House) and Nettlecombe Park to Torre. A small 800m NW divertion at this point towards Torre allows the opportunity to get coffee, cakes, bacon butties or even cider at Torre Cider Farm.

Back on the route you decend to @point[Roadwater](d,29164.49) (shops, pubs) and then follow a delightful  wooded lane alongside Washford River to @point[Luxborough](d,35808.56) with a right turn past the Royal Oak (real ale) Pub. A brief sharp climb past the pub takes you through the village itself past the Chargot Estate and then more undulating lanes before eventually descending down to Timberscombe Village with Shop and Pub.

The route then skirts Grabbist Hill (the Rhoderdendron covered "purple headed mountain" thought by some to have inspired the hymn "All things Bright And Beautiful). It passes through Wotton Courtenay, and several small villages before depositing you at the foot of @point[Dunkery Beacon](d,49067.09).

This is @slice[number 5](d,49074.03,52732.32) of [Simon Warren's Hundred Best Climbs](http://cyclinguphill.com/100-climbs/dunkery-beacon/), and one of [The Guardian's top 10](http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/jul/13/top-10-uk-cycle-climbs). I guess "best" means steep - as there are long sections of 17%, but a large sprocket will get you up this if you take it steady and the views at the top are magnificent where you can take a deserved rest. @photo[View from Dunkery Beacon](1349148)

After a suitable rest its all downhill to Weddon Cross, perhaps for food and drink at the @poi[Rest and Be Thankful Pub](1605619). A little more climbing takes you up to Heathpoult Cross and then take a right down to Brompton Ralph and towards Wimbleball Lake. There are nice coffee and cake stops at @poi[Pulham's Mill](1605618) and @poi[Wimbleball Lake Cafe](1605622) if preferred.

The road again undulates around the lake and meanders back down to Wellington through more delightful villages (e.g. Huish Champflower) and quiet roads.

# More resources

* Kings Bike Shop, Wellington
* Pompy's Bike Shop, Minehead

# Important Reminders

The @slice[steep climb up Dunkery](d,48999.19,52652.02) can be done in the rain, but should not be attempted in icy conditions. Traction can be a problem in very damp conditions with leaves around. A significant hour+ diversion allows you to climb the Porlock Toll road instead (a gentle 7%) with a slightly different route to Weddon Cross via Exford.

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Dunkery Beacon from the North

Route Overview

Route Details

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