Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.: Somerset Holiday

After our long drive down to Somerset, we decided to leave the car parked up and walk along The West Somerset Coast path from Watchet to Blue Anchor Bay. The walk starts with a steep road climb out of Watchet before entering woodland which more of less follows the path a most of the way.

There are many breaks in the woodlands though and these give stunning views of the coastline and surrounding Somerset countryside. The sun was out and the views were superb so what was not to like? As we approached Blue Anchor Bay, the path was diverted away from the coast due to erosion which meant an extra quarter of a mile walk through some thick woods to the main road which was a bit of a bind. The path then followed the road down to the bay.

The Blue Anchor pub, which Sal and the family visited many years ago, had unfortunately also been closed due to coastal erosion but there was The Smugglers Inn a few hundred yards further on inviting us in to quench our thirst after the very hot walk.

We sat out in the beer garden where Sal had a local cider and I had a local beer, discussing how we should get back to Watchet. We had a couple of choices, should we walk back along the coastal path or get the Steam Train back. It was a no brainer really as the weather was really too hot to make a walk back comfortable so we walked along the bay to the station to check the train times.

The next train gave us enough time to grab a bite to eat in the recommended Driftwood Cafe which was needed by both of us as we were flagging a bit. The 15 minute ride back on the steam train took me right back to my childhood when I used to go and visit relatives in Burton on Trent on The Devonian Express. The sounds of the engine and the smell of the smoke all brought back happy memories for me and, for those fifteen minutes, they transported me back to a time of innocence and excitement.

All good things have to come to an end unfortunately but it was nice to get back in to Watchet for a bit of a rest and to put our feet up. In the evening we walked into town (a walk of only 5 mins) and called in The Star which was another of Sal's old haunts; having a pint in the beer garden.

A saunter around the harbour and marina was followed by a final pint in the rather strange but interestingly decorated Harbour Bar at The Esplanade Club, not everyone's cup of tea but we liked it. Maybe it was the fact that they had Queen blasting out of the music system!