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Macmillan Way West Walking Holiday
in South West England
from Castle Cary to Barnstaple
in 10 days
9 nights and 8 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
Dunster Castle on Macmillan Way West walking holiday with Lets Go Walking
A 103 mile walking route from Castle Cary in Somerset to Barnstaple in Devon.
This is one of our Devon and Dartmoor Walking Holidays, one of our Moorland Walking Holidays, and also one of our Somerset and Exmoor Walking Holidays.
Macmillan Way West Walking Holiday
in Somerset and Devon England
from Castle Cary to Barnstaple
via The Somerset Levels, The Quantock Hill and Exmoor
This self-guided Macmillan Way West walking holiday in Devon and Somerset makes a varied and interesting walking holiday. The Macmillan Way West passes through some of Devon, Somerset and Exmoor’s most charming landscapes full of wildlife and stunning scenery.
The Macmillan Way was set up as a tribute to Douglas Macmillan, the founder of Macmillan Cancer Relief, and has helped to raise large sums for this important charity. Our company would encourage any guest taking this walk with us to consider perhaps sponsorship from friends and/or workmates. Sponsorship forms are available from www.macmillanway.org.
The Macmillan Way West walking holiday connects with:
- Coleridge Way at Williton
- Two Moors Way at Simonsbath
- South West Coast Path at Barnstaple
- Tarka Trail at Simonsbath and Barnstaple
Our self-guided walking holidays are designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind and can be tailor-made to your own personal requirements.
The routes are clearly way-marked to provide reassurance on your hiking vacation.
We use a selection of guest houses, inns or small hotels with en-suite or private bathroom to ensure you are well rested each night after a busy day hiking and sightseeing. Rest assured that all our accommodation walking holiday providers are hand-picked and offer you that famous British hospitality.
Special diets can be catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.
We organize the luggage transfer so your bags are at your next accommodation when you arrive. We try to get your bags delivered by 4pm, but this may be delayed due to road conditions.
Let’s Go Walking has developed one of the largest selection of walking holidays.
Our offices are staffed 9am to 9pm during our walking season (March to September) to ensure your walking holiday runs without a hitch.
All our walking holidays are self-guided and you must be a confident map reader and able to navigate from a compass bearing. The weather in the UK and Ireland can change quickly effecting visibility and underfoot conditions. It is important to carry a selection of clothing with you on your hike each day to cope with changing weather conditions. If you are not confident of completing any days walk, do not set out.
This walking holiday in the UK operates March to September and in either direction.
The daily distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too.
Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages.
Rest days can be taken in any location.
Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of the UK or Ireland. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers.
Online booking available.
A deposit of £85 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure.
Optional extra days and accommodation upgrades can be added during the booking process online.
Please wait for the confirmation of your holiday before making final travel plans just in case your holiday is not available for your requested date.
Macmillan Way West Walking Holiday
Suggested Tour Duration:
9 nights, 8 days walking
Total Distance:
103 miles/165 kms
Min/max daily distance:
10/17 miles
Average Daily distance:
13 miles
Grading:
Moderate/Easy
Features:
Quantock Hills
Exmoor
Williton
Dunster
Simonsbath
Barnstaple
This route connects with:
Coleridge Way
Two Moors Way
South West Coast Path
Tarka Trail
Macmillan Way West Walking Holiday
in Somerset and Devon, Southern England
from Castle Cary to Barnstaple
9 nights and 8 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Castle Cary
To start your UK walking holiday on the Macmillan Way West you make your own way to Castle Cary in Somerset. We can assist with coach or train transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of your self-guided walking holiday.
Day 2: Castle Cary to Long Sutton 14 miles easy
Castle Cary is an interesting little market town well worth spending some time exploring. The trail keeps to the River Cary valley and heads towards Somerton, perhaps one of Somerset’s finest small market towns with a good selection of inns, shops and fine buildings. Then on to Long Sutton for the night.
Day 3: Long Sutton to North Petherton 15 miles easy
Today the Macmillan Way crosses the Someset Levels. The trail follows the River Yeo to Langport and the River Parrett to the Westonzoyland Pumping Station, now a working museum. You cross the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, one of Somerset’s jewels, a haven for wildfowl.
Day 4: North Petherton to West Bagborough 11 miles moderate
Today you are walking in the Quantock Hills, an area 3 miles by 12 miles, rising no more than 1,200 feet, but with beautifully wooded coombes. Look out for ponies, red deer and buzzards. Visit the gardens at Fyne Court at Broomfield on the way to West Bagborough for your overnight.
Day 5: West Bagborough to Williton 10 miles moderate
Today you continue walking in the Quantocks. On reaching Bicknoller the trail meets the Coleridge Way and crosses the West Somerset Railway before you arrive at Williton for the night.
Day 6: Williton to Dunster 10 miles moderate
On leaving Williton the Bakelite Museum is worth a visit. You are walking through rolling hills and the fringes of the Exmoor National Park as you approach Dunster. Dunster is a picturesque little town dominated by Dunster Castle and the Yarn Market.
Optional Day: in Dunster
An extra day in Dunster gives you plenty of time to explore the picturesque town with its historic castle, mill and gardens.
Day 7: Dunster to Simonsbath 17 miles moderate
Heading out of Dunster the Macmillan Way West makes its way to Wootton Courtenay, where there is a 5 mile optional detour to Minehead, the start (or end) of the South West Coast Path. Out onto open moorland now at Dunkery Beacon, a highlight of any walk on Exmoor, giving fine views on a clear day to Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor. Down into the Barle Valley at Simonsbath for the night.
Day 8: Simonsbath to Brayford 10 miles moderate
Back up onto open moorland again today where you pass Exe Head, the source of the River Exe. Here the Macmillan Way West intersects with the Two Moors Way and the Tarka Trail. There are bronze age burrows to explore before the trail descends the western edge of Exmoor to Brayford area for the night.
Day 9: Brayford to Barnstaple 16 miles easy
The route follows the River Bray to West Buckland where the trail makes its way through a more rural scene of rolling farmland and small copses until you reach the River Taw, which you follow to Barnstaple. At Barnstaple the trail intersects with the South West Coast Path and the Tarka Trail.
Day 10: Depart after breakfast
Depart after Breakfast or extend your holiday walking and spend some time exploring the Barnstaple area
We can transfer you to your car or station.
Castle Cary to Barnstaple
in England UK
10 day itinerary
8 days walking and 9 nights
Suggested Itinerary
| Day 1: | arrive Castle Cary | |
| Optional Day: | optional extra day in Castle Cary | |
| Day 2: | Castle Cary to Long Sutton | 14 miles |
| Day 3: | Long Sutton to North Petherton | 15 miles |
| Day 4: | North Petherton to West Bagborough | 11 miles |
| Day 5: | West Bagborough to Williton | 10 miles |
| Day 6: | Williton to Dunster | 10 miles |
| Optional Day: | optional extra day in Dunster to visit Dunster Castle | |
| Day 7: | Dunster to Simonsbath | 17 miles |
| Day 8: | Simonsbath to Brayford | 10 miles |
| Day 9: | Brayford to Barnstaple | 16 miles |
| Optional Day: | optional extra day in Barnstaple | |
| Day 10: | depart Barnstaple |
10 day itinerary 9 nights
| Double or Twin Occupancy | Single Occupancy travelling with others | Solo Traveller |
|
| 2025 | £1,161 | £2,052 | £2,232 |
All prices subject to change
Extra nights from £64.00 per person
depending on location
A 103 mile walking route from Castle Cary in Somerset to Barnstaple in Devon.
This is one of our Devon and Dartmoor Walking Holidays, one of our Moorland Walking Holidays, and also one of our Somerset and Exmoor Walking Holidays.
Optional Accommodation Upgrades for
Macmillian Way West Walking Holiday
Castle Cary to Barnstaple
Can be added when booking online
Subject to availability Supplement per person per night
Long Sutton
Devonshire Arms
double/twin
£32.00
Single
please ask
North Petherton
Walnut Tree Hotel
double/twin
£23.00
Single
please ask
Dunster
Lutterill Arms Hotel
double/twin
£75.00
Single
please ask
Yarn Market Hotel
£42.00
please ask
Barnstaple
Imperial Hotel
double/twin
£86.00
single
please ask
Park Hotel
£86.00
please ask
Royal & Fortesque Hotel
£75.00
please ask
Yeo Dale Hotel
£43.00
please ask
What’s included
in your Macmillan Way West
Walking Holiday
in South West England on
Exmoor and The Somerset Levels
- accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
- daily luggage transfer
- support should there be any problems on route
- detailed itineraries
- Guide book
- OS 1:25,000 map
Optional Extras
for your Macmillan Way West
Walking Holiday
in South West England on
Exmoor and The Somerset Levels
- upgrade to the region’s most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
- transfers back to car or station
- parking facilities
- rest days
- inn to inn walks
What’s not included
in your Macmillan Way West
Walking Holiday
in South West England on
Exmoor and The Somerset Levels
- lunches and dinners
- travel insurance
Lunches and Dinners
These are not included.
Evening meals
These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village.
Packed lunches
These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route.
Holiday Travel Insurance
We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let’s Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following:
cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, and any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays.
This is in addition to our existing
booking conditions.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Our telephone Lines are open 7 days a week.
UK +44 (0)1837 880075
or +44 (0)207 193 1252
March to September 9am to 9pm
October to February 9am to 5pm
US +1 (646) 233-1541
New York 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182
Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time:
March to September 7pm to 7am EADT
October to February 7pm to 3am EADT
CAN +1 (647) 4786251
Toronto 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
or
Macmillan Way West Walking Holiday:
How to get there
- By Plane to London, Exeter or Bristol where we can arrange transfer to the start of your walk
- By Car to Castle Cary or Barnstaple where parking is available
- By Train/Bus to Castle Cary or Barnstaple
A 103 mile walking route from Castle Cary in Somerset to Barnstaple in Devon.
This is one of our Devon and Dartmoor Walking Holidays, one of our Moorland Walking Holidays, and also one of our Somerset and Exmoor Walking Holidays.
We have moorland walking holidays in the UK in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Ireland.
This is one of our categories of walking holidays.
- Cleveland Way
- Coleridge Way in Somerset
- Copper Trail in Cornwall
- Cumbria Way passes through the Lake District
- Dales Way
- Dartmoor Way in Devon
- Glens of Antrim on the Moyle Way in Northern Ireland
- Glyndwrs Way in Wales
- Hadrians Wall Path
- Hebridean Way in Scotland
- Herriot Way
- Isle of Man Coastal and Moorland Footpath
- Macmillan Way West
- Mourne Way in Northern Ireland
- Richmond Way
- Tarka Trail in Devon
- Two Moors Way in Devon
- West Highland Way in Scotland
- Wicklow Way in Ireland
- Yorkshire Wolds Way
