Discover Maundown

Maundown combines distinctive landscapes with historical traces and special details for attentive explorers. At its centre is Maundown Hill: it features in several described hiking experiences and also provides access to a landscape where nature observation, views and culture can be experienced together. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Maundown can therefore choose the location according to the desired rhythm of their trip – with hiking days, scenic impressions and quiet discoveries related to the history of the place.

Hiking over Maundown Hill

On the Wiveliscombe–Waterrow–Hurstone hiking trail, Maundown Hill is the highest point of the route. The hill is 307 metres high and has a prominence of 94 metres.

The Wiveliscombe–Waterrow–Hurstone hiking trail offers views of the Blackdown Hills and Wellington Monument. In addition to the climb, this gives the hike a clear focus on viewpoints. The route also joins a signposted footpath called the West Deane Way. This name is particularly useful for planning if you want to follow marked paths.

Landscape details around Maundown

Another hiking trail passes a reservoir at the summit of Maundown Hill. This adds a landscape feature of its own to the viewpoint, creating a distinctive accent along the way. The West Deane Way runs through Maundown Plantation, making the character of wooded sections of the route part of the locally described hiking experiences as well.

A noteworthy botanical detail comes from Maundown Hill near Wiveliscombe: Dryopteris cambrensis, the fern known as Narrow Male-fern, was first found there in 2007. For those interested in nature, this is a reason to pay attention not only to distant views but also to the plant life along the route during a hike. The discovery is explicitly associated with the historical context of 2007.

Historical traces and culture

One of the cultural points of interest in Maundown is Jews Farmhouse. The building is listed as a Grade II listed building. This makes it a specific historical point of reference in Maundown. Those interested in historic buildings can include this point of interest in their personal selection of travel experiences.

The area's earlier transport history has also been preserved. An east–west road connection from Wiveliscombe via Langley Marsh to the Watchet-Bampton Road became a turnpike road in 1786. It crossed Washbattle Bridge, formerly called Maundown Bridge, on the way to Huish. The historical name should be clearly distinguished in time from present-day navigation, but it offers an additional insight into the development of transport routes.

The right accommodation for planning your trip

When looking for accommodation in Maundown, it is worth first deciding on the focus of your trip. If you mainly want to spend time outdoors, the highest point of the Wiveliscombe–Waterrow–Hurstone hiking trail, the views of the Blackdown Hills and Wellington Monument, and the described sections of the route take centre stage. For a trip with a stronger interest in history and nature observation, Jews Farmhouse and the discovery of Dryopteris cambrensis add to the picture.

Families and other travel groups can thereby plan varied days without having to combine all the experiences into a single programme: a hike, a look at historical traces or deliberate attention to the landscape can each set their own focus. A holiday apartment in Maundown is particularly suited to trip planning in which you place the selection of outings at the centre and tailor your stay to your personal interests.

For further destinations, you can also explore Ilminster, Tolland, Cucklington, Templecombe, Yeovil, Bruton, Holford and Chilcompton.

For the wider travel overview: Somerset.