West Quantoxhead appeals to travellers who see the coast, forest and historic buildings as distinct focuses for a trip. At St Audrie’s Bay, unusual geology, cliffs and a waterfall shape the coastal landscape; in the forest, walks along the paths take centre stage. St Etheldreda’s Church and the cultural landscape of St Audries add architectural and historical interest. When planning your trip, the main consideration is whether you want to focus on the tide-dependent coast, forest paths or the history of buildings and the area.
Coast and geology
St Audrie’s Bay Beach has unusual geology. Behind the beach, a rare waterfall plunges over the cliffs. The coast between St Audries and Kilve lies within the Blue Anchor to Lilstock Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which is considered internationally important for its geology. The SSSI covers the coast between St Audries and Kilve; West Quantoxhead itself lies in the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The village offers views across the estuary.
At St Audries Beach, you can explore rock pools. Access is via Home Farm Caravan Park, along a single-track road and then down steps. Access depends on the tides, so take them into account when planning your visit.
Forest paths and routes
St Audries Forest is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Its paths are suitable for walks and continue towards the nearby bay. Alongside the coast’s distinctive geology, the forest offers a clearly defined focus: walking paths that continue towards the bay.
Two route connections are relevant for walks: the King Charles III England Coast Path passes the cliffs at St Audries; West Quantoxhead lies just off The Coleridge Way. The first refers to the cliffs at St Audries, while the second describes the village’s location in relation to The Coleridge Way.
Church, gardens and traces of the past
St Etheldreda’s Church, also known as St Audrey’s, is a Grade II* listed building. It was built in 1854–1856 in the geometric style of the late 13th century. Its date of construction and architectural style therefore refer to different periods: the building dates from the 19th century, while its style draws on the late 13th century. The largely uniform interior dates from the mid-19th century and is distinguished by fine stonework. There is also a precisely located architectural feature outside the church: the remains of the churchyard cross lie ten metres west of the porch and are also listed Grade II*.
St Audries has around five hectares of gardens and pleasure grounds dating from the mid-19th century. On Beacon Hill, two barrows form part of a larger mixed cemetery that includes two more barrows and three cairns. These different features provide distinct historical and architectural reference points for the area, from 19th-century garden design to the burial grounds on Beacon Hill.
Discover more destinations: Castle Cary, Exford, Ilchester, Mells, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Lovington, Washford, Cutcombe.
For the wider travel overview: Somerset.
