River Parrett Trail

The River Parrett Trail is a long-distance footpath that can be used for walking, jogging, or running, following the route of the River Parrett in Somerset, England. The trail, which is 50 miles (80 km) long,^[1][2] runs from Chedington in Dorset to the mouth of the river in Bridgwater Bay where it joins the West Somerset Coast Path.

River Parrett Trail
View toward Burrow Hill from the River Parrett Trail on a misty morning
Length	47 mi (76 km)
Location	Dorset & Somerset
Trailheads	Chedington/Bridgwater Bay
Use	Hiking

It passes many landmarks and places of interest including; Burrow Hill Cider Farm, Muchelney Abbey, West Sedgemoor (a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the Blake Museum, Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum, the site of the Battle of Sedgemoor and finally discharging into Bridgwater Bay (another SSSI).

The trail is managed by The Parrett Trail Partnership, a consortium of agencies including:^[3] Arts Council England, South West, British Waterways, Cannington Agricultural College, Country Land and Business Association, Natural England, Environment Agency, National Farmers Union, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Somerset Council, Somerset Wildlife Trust, South West Tourism, Take Art!, and Dorset Council.

Route and points of interest

The following table lists key points of interest along the river.

Point	Coordinates (Links to map resources)	OS Grid Ref	Notes
Source	50.847°N 2.733°W / 50.847; -2.733 (Source)	ST484055	near Chedington
A303 bridge	50.947°N 2.783°W / 50.947; -2.783 (A303 bridge)	ST450167	South Petherton
River Isle confluence	51.009°N 2.832°W / 51.009; -2.832 (River Isle confluence)	ST416237
River Yeo confluence	51.032°N 2.822°W / 51.032; -2.822 (River Yeo confluence)	ST424262
Bow Bridge	51.036°N 2.835°W / 51.036; -2.835 (Bow Bridge)	ST415266	Langport
Monk's Leaze Clyce	51.048°N 2.844°W / 51.048; -2.844 (Monk's Leaze Clyce)	ST408280	Regulates flow into Sowy River
River Tone confluence	51.067°N 2.917°W / 51.067; -2.917 (River Tone confluence)	ST357302	Located at Burrowbridge
Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum	51.091°N 2.944°W / 51.091; -2.944 (Westonzoyland Pumping Station Museum)	ST339328
Town Bridge	51.129°N 3.001°W / 51.129; -3.001 (Town Bridge)	ST300372	Bridgwater
Drove Bridge	51.138°N 3.001°W / 51.138; -3.001 (Drove Bridge)	ST300382	Most seaward and newest road bridge on river[4]
Dunball Wharf	51.162°N 2.989°W / 51.162; -2.989 (Dunball Wharf)	ST309408
Mouth	51.229°N 3.009°W / 51.229; -3.009 (Mouth)	ST296482

• 
  Trail marker on the River Parrett Trail
• 
  Family of mute swans nesting by the River Parrett Trail near Langport
• 
  Westonzoyland Pumping Station, viewed from the River Parrett Trail
• 
  View of the Somerset Levels from the River Parrett Trail
• 
  Seat, made in 1996, on the west bank of the Parrett Estuary, a mile from the village of Combwich

References

1. "River Parrett Trail". Long distance walkers association. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
2. "The River Parrettt Trail" (PDF). South Somerset Council. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
3. "The Parrett Trail Partnership". The Parret Trail Partnership. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
4. Statutory Instrument 1995 No. 270, NDR confirmation order

External links

• Official website
• River Parrett Trail at the Long Distance Walkers Association
• The River Parrett Trail (re)visited - website encouraging arts related to the trail