This walk takes about 2 1/2 hours, probably longer with small children. There are opportunities for shortening or altering the route at several points and these are mentioned in the text. Stout shoes are recommended because of the variety of surfaces, some loose and uneven, that occur during the walk. Oakhampton quarry, now disused, once provided the area with roofing slates. Its present attractive tree lined state forms a perfect habitat for many kinds of wildlife. A deep pool in the quarry bottom and the open terraces surrounding the quarry provide fine views and some excellent picnic spots.
From North Street car park turn right, away from the town, and continue down hill for just over ¼mile to Langley Cross. Bear left and then, almost immediately, turn right up a narrow lane beside the house called Sandycot. Sandy Lane climbs fairly steeply between high banks and hedges, and sandstone outcrops. At the top the lane levels out at a 'T 'junction and opposite is a gate with a stile. Continue on, over the stile and down the field keeping close to the hedge on the left. The field is known as 'Breakheart' and is a very popular spot for children and their sledges when there is snow on the ground. Towards the bottom veer to the right, where there is another stile and a footbridge across a stream.
Follow the lane ahead, known as Coombe Lane, for just over 1/4 mile, until it leads downhill, round a left hand bend. Cross over the stile on your right and continue down along the left hand side of the field, cross another stile and stream and then take the narrow and very steep path immediately opposite. (This ascent demands care and sensible shoes with good grip. It can be very slippery in wet weather, and at all time the surface is loose as the hillside is in fact a spoil heap of slate and shale from the disused quarry.)
After a stiff climb a good track is reached. Turn right onto this track and continue on until it widens out into a grassy terrace with gorse bushes. The quarry is on your left and can be seen properly by following little paths through the trees; descent is not recommended. Returning to the terrace there are excellent views of the surrounding villages and hamlets and the hills beyond. Stay with the path through the gorse bushes, bearing left, and up another short, steep, scree slope to a higher terrace which gives another good view of the quarry.
At this point there is the choice of returning to Wiveliscombe by retracing the outward route or continuing for another 2-2 1/2 miles to complete a circular walk. To take this option carry on to the right of a small derelict building, following the path through trees to a field gate. Go through the gate and follow the path, which is on a slight embankment. To your left is a long low barn called Thorny Down (and named on 1:25000 maps).
At the further side of the field there is a gate and a style between a tall tree and a double electricity pole. To your left Willett tower can be seen on the horizon. Follow the path to another gate and stile, which brings you close to Oakhampton Farm. Here, by skirting the farm buildings, access can be gained to the Wiveliscombe/Watchet road and the walk completed on the road to Wiveliscombe, via Ford.
Alternatively go over the stile, and you will see two more gates on your right. Go through the further one, that is, the left hand one as you face them. The path then leads out into a field, continue down keeping to the left until you reach a small stream. With the stream on your left follow along until a small wooded bridge is reached. Cross this and turn to keep the stream on your right, and continue along the very edge of the field, without cutting corners, to avoid damaging crops.
After a short while a second bridge is reached. Cross this and then strike out diagonally across the field to a metal gate giving access to a concrete drive, continue along the dnve for a few yards towards the buildings of Ford Farm, then turn right through a gate, and almost immediately left through a second gate in a hedge. Carry on along the edge of the field, with the hedge on your right until you reach a stile. Once over the stile take the path in front of a most attractive house, Pitt Farm, and keep to the path, through the gate and out into the lane.
This lane leads down to Lower Grants Farm, and Grants Lane, the metalled road from Ford through to Langley Cross. This corner has for many years been guarded by a black and white collie dog! Again there is the option of completing the walk by road, by tuning right at this point and making for Langley Cross.
To continue the walk 'off-road' turn left and continue for a few yards over the bridge, and then up right over a stile onto a narrow path. Follow this path with a stream on your right for about half a mile, over several stiles, and eventually into a very narrow and enclosed lane. This is known as 'Cut Throat Lane' as it is a short cut behind parts of the outskirts of the town. This lane leads out to Style Road. Turn right and cross the road and pick up the signposted footpath known locally as Gadds Lane, on the left. This leads round the back of houses and gardens up to the car park in North Street where the walk began.
Recommended map for this walk: O.S. 1:25,000 series sheet 02, Wiveliscombe and O.S. 1:25,000, sheet 03, Brendon Hills East (this covers a small section of the route).
