The 307-metre-high Maundown Hill, a botanical first recorded in 2007, and the history of a turnpike road give Maundown several specific points of interest for a stay. Alongside walking and views, there are opportunities for nature watching, a listed building and historic routes. The walking trails lead to Maundown Hill and onto the West Deane Way; the historic road link to Huish dates back to the 18th century.
Walking on Maundown Hill
Maundown Hill is the highest point on the Wiveliscombe–Waterrow–Hurstone walking route. The trail offers views of the Blackdown Hills and Wellington Monument. It also joins the waymarked West Deane Way. This passes through Maundown Plantation, another named point of interest for anyone exploring the local trails.
Trail conditions can change, and views vary by season. Check current trail conditions before setting out. A walking trail passes a reservoir at the summit of Maundown Hill; for this route, you should also check the trail conditions and access in advance.
Elevation, nature and heritage
Maundown Hill is 307 metres high and has a prominence of 94 metres. These figures describe different things: elevation gives the height of the hill, while prominence is the difference in height between the summit and the key col leading to higher ground. Together, they provide the summit’s elevation and topographic context.
Dryopteris cambrensis, the Narrow Male-fern, was first recorded on Maundown Hill near Wiveliscombe in 2007. This record links a specific plant location to a particular point in time; future surveys may change the species’ known distribution. For anyone interested in plants and where they are found, this natural feature adds another point of interest to the walking trails around the Hill.
The built heritage also has a clearly identified point of interest: Jews Farmhouse in Maundown is a Grade II listed building. Its designation makes the house a specific part of the area’s history. Together with the botanical record, it shows that Maundown offers points of interest in both natural history and local history.
An 18th-century road link
An east–west road link ran from Wiveliscombe via Langley Marsh to the Watchet–Bampton Road. In 1786 it became a turnpike road and passed over Washbattle Bridge to Huish. The bridge was formerly called Maundown Bridge.
If you’re looking for a holiday rental for a stay in Maundown, these different themes can help with your planning: the walking trails and high point give walking a specific focus; Jews Farmhouse and the turnpike road represent architectural and transport history. You can choose your destination based on which of these sides of Maundown interests you most.
Discover more destinations: Clatworthy, Frome, Othery, Axbridge, Chard, Baltonsborough, Henstridge, North Curry.
For the wider travel overview: Somerset.
