River Parrett Trail

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

The River Parrett Trail is a long-distance footpath, 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.

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, Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset County Council, Somerset Wildlife Trust, South Somerset District Council, South West Tourism, Take Art!, Taunton Deane Borough Council and West Dorset District Council.

Route and points of interest

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

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  Trail marker on the River Parrett Trail

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  Family of mute swans nesting by the River Parrett Trail near Langport

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  Westonzoyland Pumping Station, viewed from the River Parrett Trail

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  View of the Somerset Levels from the River Parrett Trail

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  Seat, made in 1996, on the west bank of the Parrett Estuary, a mile from the village of Combwich

References

External links

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