Somerset AR

Did you fix the leak, mike? simon

Here is a route starting in Somerset and heading towards the Dorset coast. It includes spectacular coastal scenery, a good place for a pub lunch, and a visit to the Cerne Abbas giant. Much of the route is ideal for a Seven, although on a busy summer day you are likely to get stuck behind slow vehicles. It would go very well with the Cheddar Gorge blat if you have an extra day in the area. The route is here: MyRoute It starts at the A303 Podimore roundabout and heads to West Bay via Crewkerne. West Bay is a good place for a morning coffee and a quick look. Interesting fact: Reggie Perrin walked into the sea here. Follow the coastal road and admire the beautiful views of Chesil Beach. Pass through Weynouth. I suggest that The Red Lion in Winfrith is ideal for Sunday lunch. The carvery is good and they are generous with potions. If you have time, then nearby Lulworth Cove is worth a visit. There is a large pay and display car park with toilets/cafes etc. The cove is worth seeing, but I suggest the 2.5 mile walk to Durdle Door is really worth the effort. Durdle Door is a spectacular natural arch. Follow the route past Dorchester to Cerne Abbas. Then stop at the layby to see the giant carved into the hillside. Follow the good roads past Sherbourne back to the A303. I hope that this is useful, Simon (Somerset AR)

Here is a suggested Blat around our local area. It includes some very good A roads through beautiful countryside. If you are making a weekend of it then consider visiting Haynes Motor Museum the day before and then doing this blat the day after. Click here to get the route from the A303: MyRoute Notable way points are: Shapwick Heath - a rather special bird watching area. In the winter you can see very significant murmurations of starlings. NB the road is uneven around Shapwick Heath; it is a peat bog. Take it easy (the rest of the blat is fine). Cheddar Gorge - drive up through; it's impressive. Burrington Coombe and the Mendips - stop at the Burrington Inn for tea, cake or lunch. Very near is the 'Rock of Ages' from the hymn (not the film). Drive on great roads through the Mendips to Wells, and take a look at beautiful Wells Cathedral. If you decide to park and go into Wells Cathedral, look out for the very old astronomical clock in the north transept. So old that it shows the sun going around the Earth. Further on you come to Glastonbury. You can see the Tor (where the the last Abbot of Glastonbury met a grisly end during the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII). If you are really keen you could take your chariot of fire to see the Holy Thorn. Legend has it that those feet in ancient times trod here. If you, or your companion, are interested in shopping then Clarks Village in Street maybe to your liking. Stop here to buy branded goods at cheap outlet prices (Clarks shoes, Jaeger, Musto, North Face, Gap etc). There is also plenty of places to eat. The route then takes you back to the A303 (and home). hope you like it... Simon (Somerset AR)