Staple Fitzpaine: Walking Trails, Panoramic Views and History

Staple Fitzpaine combines impressive landscapes with clearly distinct walking experiences and notable historical details. The village is located in the Blackdown Hills and is particularly suited to travellers who want to divide their days between longer circular routes, easier walks and discoveries relating to the local history. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday house, it is therefore worth first deciding on your preferred travel rhythm: should an extended day of walking be the main focus, or are you looking for an itinerary with shorter walks and cultural stops along the way?

Walking trails for different day plans

The Staple Fitzpaine Herepath is a 22 km circular route. Its starting point is at the Castle Neroche car park. Staple Hill is one of the points along this route and connects the trail with a distinctive landscape experience: the hill is the highest point in the Blackdown Hills, offering spectacular views across the Vale of Taunton.

For a considerably shorter loop, the Staple Hill Easy Access Trail is available. The circular route is 800 m long and leads to two viewpoints. It has no steep inclines and features a wide, firm surface suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. This means that a stay in Staple Fitzpaine can also include a more leisurely walk, without having to plan the long Herepath.

Another option is the Staple Hill and Staple Park Wood circular route. The moderately challenging route covers 5 miles (8 km). Towards the end, it passes very close to the highest point in the Blackdown Hills, which lies around 1,000 feet above sea level. The differences between the 800 m Easy Access Trail, the moderately challenging 8 km loop and the 22 km Herepath help you take the desired length and character of your outings into account when planning your holiday.

Castle Neroche and Historical Traces

Castle Neroche is open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk. There are various paths, bridleways and forest tracks there. These details make the site a destination in its own right for planning a day out; specific routes can be selected according to the desired distance and the time available.

The cultural history of Staple Fitzpaine also offers several points of interest. The Church of St Peter is a Grade I listed building. Its origins date back to the Norman period, and it preserves a Norman doorway that was moved to the south aisle. The almshouses of Staple Fitzpaine also have notable historical details: they date from 1643 and were originally founded to provide accommodation for six people in need. The Manor was built as a vicarage in 1840.

A smaller but distinctive detail is the milestone at NGR St 2641 1833. It bears the inscription “5 miles to Taunton”, dates from the early 19th century and is made of limestone and cast iron. Such individual markers complement the larger buildings and give a walk through the history of Staple Fitzpaine a range of different scales.

Which starting point suits your trip?

If you prefer extensive experiences in nature, the Herepath or the route via Staple Hill and Staple Park Wood can form the main focus. For a shorter outing with viewpoints, the 800 m Easy Access Trail is a good option. Anyone who also wants to discover historic buildings and local details can include the Church of St Peter, the almshouses, The Manor and the milestone in their day plan. When searching for accommodation, consider which outings you actually want to combine and what length of stay fits your travel plans for this.

Discover More Destinations

For further planning, you can also explore Buckland Dinham, Sparkford, Tintinhull, Wiveliscombe, Queen Camel, Bruton, Rode and Cheddar.

To the higher-level travel overview: Somerset.