Liberty Trail

The Liberty Trail is a 28-mile (45.1 km) trail between Ham Hill in Somerset and Lyme Regis in Dorset, England.

Liberty Trail
The War Memorial at Ham Hill
Length28 mi (45 km)
LocationSomerset and Dorset
TrailheadsHam Hill Country Park, Lyme Regis, Dorset
UseHiking

History

The route of the Liberty Trail route is based on information recorded by six rebels from various villages in Somerset and Dorset. Villagers from the two counties made their way to join the Protestant Monmouth Rebellion in 1685.[1] The rebels wore green sprigs tucked into their hats to declare their support for the Duke of Monmouth. Weapons that they carried included farm scythes and other suitable agricultural tools.[2]

Route
Lyme Regis from the Cobb.

Ham Hill is 397 feet (121 m) at its highest point, and Lyme Regis is at sea level.

Below are six possible walking stages that may be used to traverse the Liberty Trail:

Places of interest

At Ham Hill there are links with other Trails including the Monarch's Way, Leland Trail and River Parrett Trail. Ham Hill Iron Age Hill Fort is one of the largest in Europe.[3] Many local buildings are made from the local yellow Hamstone. At Wayford is Clapton Court Gardens, one of Somerset's more historic gardens that are open to the public.[4] Forde Abbey is situated on a curved section of the River Axe, its original purpose was as a Cistercian Monastery. It has a garden of some elegance which has won many awards.[5] At this location the Dorset Jubilee Trail crosses over the path of the Liberty Trail. Two other Iron Age Hill Forts may be seen at this stage, the first one is Lambert's Castle and further on is Coney's Castle. During clear weather conditions Chesil Beach and Portland Bill are visible, both are famous features of this part of the South coast of England. Lyme Regis is located to the west of Chesil Beach on the Jurassic Coast, a place where many fossils may be found. The Cobb at Lyme Regis was the location for The French Lieutenant's Woman (film) in 1981. The South West Coast Path also leads into this part of the town.

The Cobb, with boats grounded in the harbour at low tide.

Sections of the Liberty Trail also form part of other trails in the area, such as the Macmillan Way West, River Parrett Trail, Wessex Ridgeway.

Further detail of the Liberty Trail is available from Yeovil Tourist Information Centre and South Somerset Tourist Information.[6][7]

Way points and maps
Point Coordinates
(Links to map resources)		 OS Grid Ref Notes
Start 50.950°N 2.743°W / 50.950; -2.743 (Ham Hill) ST478170 Ham Hill, Somerset
Way Point 50.919°N 2.757°W / 50.919; -2.757 (West Chinnock) ST468135 West Chinnock, Somerset
Way Point 50.870°N 2.773°W / 50.870; -2.773 (Misterton) ST456081 Misterton, Somerset
Way Point 50.856°N 2.840°W / 50.856; -2.840 (Wayford) ST409067 Wayford, Somerset
Way Point 50.826°N 2.886°W / 50.826; -2.886 (Thorncombe) ST376033 Thorncombe, Dorset
Way Point 50.757°N 2.899°W / 50.757; -2.899 (Wootton Fitzpaine) SY366957 Wootton Fitzpaine, Dorset
End 50.724°N 2.933°W / 50.724; -2.933 (Lyme Regis) SY341920 Lyme Regis, Dorset

Ordnance Survey Explorer map series:- 129 - Yeovil & Sherborne (Sherbourne), :- 116 - Lyme Regis & Bridport, provide the geographical details for this trail.

References
  1. "Monmouth's Rebellion". Uk Battlefields Resource Centre. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  2. "Liberty Trail". Walking on the Web. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  3. "Iron-Age Hillfort & Roman Fort Ham Hill, Somerset". Roman Britain.org. Archived from the original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  4. "Historical Houses and Gardens in Somerset". Tourist guide Somerset — date not disclosed. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  5. "Forde Abbey website — Garden page". Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  6. "Walking Holidays in the UK". Lets Go Walking. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  7. "Dorset Walks". West Dorset District Council. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
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