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12th September 2023- We are sorry but we are now fully booked until October on all our routes - please contact us for Autumn and 2024 dates

Walking Feedback and Reviews -

The Coleridge Way Walking Holiday

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Walk Reviews and Customer Feedback

Route: Coleridge Way Name: Robin & Jane Handley Walked on: 2nd August 2023

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"All worked well."

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

"Excellent."

Your Walking Routes

"Poor signage in places. Signs obscured, worn or faded etc. No indication of routes that should not be taken, marked with a cross. Suggest that the French GR system should be adopted. However, we acknowledge that signage is primarily the responsibility of those who set the route."

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"Map appeared to be a bit out of date and the scale was insufficiently detailed. The walking notes were fine and the itinerary was appropriate for us. "

Luggage transfers

"Very good."

Accommodation

"The accommodation chosen was excellent except for the Porlock Weir Hotel where we were put in a very small room facing a wall. The food was also excellent all along the route. Also, only supplying winter weight duvets on beds is not appropriate in the summer months. An altertive, eg a top sheet and blanket, should be available in every room in the warmer months. "

Overall experience

"Thoroughly enjoyable. A plus for us was that even though we were walking in the peak holiday season, we saw only one group of 4 walkers on only one occasion during the course of the walk, ie it was very quiet! The countryside we walked through was varied, beautiful and very interesting in terms of its history."

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge Way Name: Adrienne Spilsbury Walked on: 11th April 2023

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"Excellent. Encounter Walking provided various options on costs and daily length of the walk, to fit in with my requirements."

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

"A good level of information here to enable me to select and plan the walk."

Your Walking Routes

"This is a very doable route, and mostly well signposted. Just a couple of points where a signpost would have been helpful. Also note that gaiters are needed, as some parts of the walk can be wet and muddy."

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"Superb. Laminated, detailed OS map extracts. Precise details of the overnight stays, but also refreshments and points of interest along the walk. "

Luggage transfers

"Seamless."

Accommodation

"Staying in country pubs was part of the attraction of this walk for me, and didn't disappoint. A good welcome and lovely accommodation and food at all."

Overall experience

"Encounter Walking really think of everything, and give attentive service."

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge Way Name: Renee Alberts Walked on: 15th April 2022

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

Your Walking Routes

"We chose days with 23- 24km per day and with hindsight it was a bit too long for some of our party."

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

Luggage transfers

Accommodation

"The Ancient Mariner was a little more basic and the food less good than the other nights. Notley Arms, Exmoor House and Snow's Orchard were all excellent."

Overall experience

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge Way Name: Judy D Walked on: 21st January 2022

Everything was great.  Really enjoyed this winter walk and a good start to walking in 2022.  Appreciated quick response to my last minute booking.  Accommodations all fine and easy to find on the route, good food.  (Ancient Mariner has no heating in the rooms apart from a couple of oil heaters which, as they aren’t turned on prior to check in, took hours to warm up. Rooms modern and large. No food on Mondays) Lots of variety of scenery.  

Quiet tracks even at the weekend.  Lots of tempting walking trails in this area and pretty villages.  Instructions, guide book and route map useful though the trail is very well signed (apart from the Dunkery Beacon option where the signs differed from the gpx file but I was able to figure it out from the description in the guide book).  Great service from Encounter, would recommend etc etc.

Route: Coleridge Way Name: Sibyl Ruth Walked on: 17th September 2021

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"As I'd not booked a self-guided walking holiday before I appreciated the detailed help and information which was provided."

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

"I didn't really use the site much after a quick preliminary browse - as it was then all about getting our own individual trip sorted."

Your Walking Routes

"Our compass was useful! Even though the ascents aren't steep, the ground is uneven so I was glad I opted for my heavier walking boots."

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"All these were very clear. (The sole error occurred when our instructions told us to turn left - rather than right - to get to our overnight accommodation in Williton.)"

Luggage transfers

"On one day the luggage transfer person showed up at 9am when we were still eating our breakfast. But apart from that everything went smoothly."

Accommodation

"Staying in old pubs, coaching inns etc was one of the most enjoyable features of the holiday."

Overall experience

"The Coleridge Way is a wonderful and varied trail. It was gloriously green and peaceful. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys walking and exploring the countryside. NB. We did the walk at the 'relaxed pace'. This might not work for everyone, but it does mean you can take plenty of time to do optional diversions, enjoy the views etc!"

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge Way Name: Patricia Bleasby Walked on: 13th September 2021

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"Planning was meticulous and queries were always answered quickly"

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

"lots of information, easy to follow and most questions answered in FAQs. It also shone through with enthusiasm!"

Your Walking Routes

"the daily notes were very useful, particularly features to look out for and any potential pitfalls that might be encountered. The descriptions of locations of overnight stays were reassuringly accurate and it was nice to be tailor made to my holiday"

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"the maps are excellent and with the numbers relating to the route instructions it was easy to tie the two together. The notes would refer to a lane which could mean a bridleway, footpath or a narrow road, I found this disconcerting but the Coleridge Way signs were usually present to offer reassurance. The walking notes though were generally very good"

Luggage transfers

"Always good. Not only was bag there on arrival but in my room too. A real bonus at the end of a tiring day!"

Accommodation

"Two stand out, the Notley Arms and the Rock House both for the friendly welcome and the food, outstanding in both cases. All accommodation was clean and perfectly suitable."

Overall experience

"I loved the walk. It offered everything - heathland, woodland, glorious rolling countryside, rivers, the coast and Exmoor. You can't ask for more!"

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge Way Name: Ann & Bernie Gibbons plus 4 friends Walked on: 11th September 2021

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"Everything booked and confirmed very efficiently, even though we changed our arrangements a couple of times and added some complications! Very well done"

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

"Comprehensive website with plenty of info"

Your Walking Routes

"Really great views and varied countryside. This walk was better than anticipated. Some climbs but nothing too daunting."

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"All excellent"

Luggage transfers

"Spot on every time!"

Accommodation

"All good. There were some covid restrictions, such as mask wearing, but this did not hamper our enjoyment of the holiday. All the meals were good, no complaints whatsoever."

Overall experience

"A very enjoyable experience"

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge Way - Nether Stowey to Porlock 4 days Name: Stella Walked on: 5th July 2021

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"Excellent service from everyone at Encounter throughout. Good communication with regard to the added complications of Covid causing postponements etc. Very personal service. All good! Can't fault!"

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

"Fine as far as I can remember but after an initial general look at the website, everything was very individual and done via email."

Your Walking Routes

"Very varied and attractive landscapes/scenery, great views, literary associations. Very very quiet. But quite hard going in places (or was that just us being too old!). Walking surfaces could be challenging - loose stones/rocks, mud, meant you had to watch your footing a lot of the time and take your eye off the scenery. We would fully concur with the underlined warning at point 84 on the route notes. In spite of edging very carefully round the slippery bedrock as best I could I still took a tumble. Another problem we encountered was a fallen tree across the path between points 42 and 43 - we had to get onto hands and knees to crawl under it."

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"Generally very good. The Zigzag laminated walking maps are excellent. But we did have two incidences where we went seriously wrong having somehow failed to marry the map, route notes, and the signage. The first of these was around Point 22. We can't quite work out how in spite of having got to the layby by the A39 as indicated on the route notes, we ended up heading south round the eastern boundary of the deer park! The second instance was on Day 4 around points 96 and 97. We think the problem here may have been confusing signage. Sometimes the signs we needed were the quill sign but sometimes a blue square and this got confusing. As was also that there could be a red and a blue quills pointing different ways. We discovered the distinction was between walkers and horse riders. Perhaps some explanatory notes about Coleridge Way signage would be a helpful addition to the route notes? The daily notes were very helpful - good to have all the information for the day in one place. They reminded us about booking ahead for evening meals etc and checking if pubs for lunch would be open. We also made use of the taxi numbers! Would recommend booking well ahead for taxi return to car on last day."

Luggage transfers

"All fine."

Accommodation

"We were very happy with all the places we stayed. Everyone was very welcoming and helpful. The rooms at The Valiant Soldier were particularly spacious and well appointed (newly done I think). The rooms at The White House Williton were small but OK for one night and the staff were extremely helpful there so no complaints. Each place was very different which was nice. "

Overall experience

"Challenging but really very enjoyable. We'd like to go back and explore the area further in a more leisurely fashion. It was so quiet and the scenery so varied. We'd definitely recommend the area and the Coleridge Way gives you an excellent way of experiencing the varied landscapes and staying in some lovely villages. "

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge way Name: Stephen Selley Walked on: 28th June 2021

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

Your Walking Routes

"Very varied and enjoyable route. We did average of 14 miles a day which typically meant 8 hours walking with short breaks."

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"We already had maps etc, but the itinerary notes were spot on and helped us plan ahead."

Luggage transfers

"Worked perfectly - thank you"

Accommodation

"Really good accommodation. Very welcoming. Enjoyed our overnight stops."

Overall experience

"Thank you once again. This is the third time I have walked with Encounter: highly recommended. "

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge Way Name: Sue Gearing Walked on: 21st June 2021

Overall experience

"It was a really enjoyable walk, and so well planned by Encounter. Their staff have been helpful whenever we connected them when planning. Arrangements worked perfectly and we were delighted with the accommodation chosen. The route was stunning, although maybe more hilly than we expected but we had great views. My friend and I would highly recommend Encounter. Thank you. It was such a wonderful way to emerge out of the dark days of Covid. Sue"

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge Way and Coast Path to Braunton Name: John Walked on: 6th June 2021

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"Excellent personalised service. Helped identify the best options for taking a dog "

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

"Comprehensive, useful maps and route descriptions"

Your Walking Routes

"20-25km days with Hills. It took a bit more time than we thought, but well worth it "

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"Comprehensive maps and guides. All you could need. Having the OS maps App on the phone was a help "

Luggage transfers

"Very efficient "

Accommodation

"Especially enjoyed the dedicated B&B guest houses which had high quality accommodation and a personalised welcome. There was no need to stay at pubs as it was always possible to go there to eat "

Overall experience

"Excellent. Great Scenery. Learnt a lot about the poets Coleridge and Wordsworth. Very quiet on the Coleridge Way hardly saw a soul......"

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge Way Name: Michael Cannell Walked on: 26th September 2020

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"Dealt well with Covid-related changes of accommodation."

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

Your Walking Routes

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"Replaced guidebook mislaid by fellow walker without charge"

Luggage transfers

Accommodation

"What we expected. Not much choice on the route."

Overall experience

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge Way Name: Jay M Walked on: 17th September 2020

Amazing company. Too many good things to say so I'll just some up with this....you have to use these guys if you love to hike properly with experts, and love a proper British village in proper British terrain. Outstanding

Route: Coleridge Way Name: Christopher Lock Walked on: 29th September 2019

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"as ever very efficient"

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

"Clear and easy to use"

Your Walking Routes

"we walked the Colleridge way. This was one of the best 4 day walks we have done. Great variety of scenery and good paths and easy route finding.. There were quite a lot of climbs but they were reasonably gradual and not too difficult.Thoroughly recommend this walk. We have not walked in Somerset before and will certainly return"

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"All spot on"

Luggage transfers

"faultless"

Accommodation

"All the booked accommodation was very good as were the breakfasts. The only exception to the breakfast was the Notley Arms where a very basic cold breakfast was included but you had to pay extra for hot food. We paid £4.00 each for a poor omelette. The place was great and the owner very pleasant   Thanks for tellins us Chris - breakfast is always included with our holidays so we will speak to the landlord to advise him and we have arranged to refund the £4 you paid. - Encounter Walking
 
The Sundial guest house was quite exceptional in every way and was the best of a lot of good accommodation"

Overall experience

"A great break in a lovely area and even the weather was kind"

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge Way Name: Frazier Scott Walked on: 28th August 2019

Our walking holiday was very much a success.  Our hotels and B and Bs were always clean and the hosts welcoming.  As far as our dinners, the White House, Valiant Soldier and the Bath Hotel were the standouts.

Overall, the walking was more steep than we expected (we had last walked in the Cotswolds four years ago) but we managed quite well.  I should note that there was a stretch of the route above Deddy Combe on the way to Oare that involved a very narrow path above a steep drop.  We were happy to be past it.  Having the OS maps downloaded to my phone was very helpful since I could use the GPS function to ensure we stayed on the right path.

 

 

Route: Coleridge Way/ South West Coast Path, Newer Stowey to Minehead Name: Kaisa and Bram Walked on: 27th July 2019

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"thanks again for the great service!"

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

Your Walking Routes

"The combination of walking inland in Somerset and to continue on the coastpath is very nice. Somerset is absolutely beautiful and walking in Exmoor is a wonderful experience. "

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"The first part of the Coleridge way is not very well marked. The signs are easy to overlook."

Luggage transfers

Accommodation

"We highly recommend Woodadvent Farm and Locanda on the Weir (+ excellent restaurant)"

Overall experience

"The weather was great, friendly people, beautiful nature and we highly recommend the Indian restaurant in Williton, The Bengal Spice . "

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge Way Name: Paul Moghtader Walked on: 18th July 2019

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"Everyone responded promptly and was easy to deal with"

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

"Easy to navigate and full of detailed information about the walk"

Your Walking Routes

"Very enjoyable walk that is easy to moderate. We did it with our children (12, 8 and 8) who had no trouble."

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"The maps and directions were mostly easy to follow, but a couple times they were not clear."

Luggage transfers

Accommodation

"All the lodging booked for us were charming and clean."

Overall experience

"This was a great walk and a great value."

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge Way Name: Thatcher Bailey Walked on: 24th June 2019

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

Your Walking Routes

"No one was on this lovely walk. Trail was not strenuous so it worked for the whole group. Lots of landscape variation."

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

Luggage transfers

Accommodation

"Damon helped is find excellent places to stay."

Overall experience

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Porlock-Lymouth (Coleridge), then Combe Martin-Lynmouth-Porlock (SWCP) Name: Philippa Walked on: 19th June 2019

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"helpful and efficient"

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

"useful guides to different itineries"

Your Walking Routes

"Porlock Wier- Lynmouth on Coleridge, stunning varied walking, good pub lunch at Brendon return walk along SWCP - lack of benches for picnics through Embelle and Culbone Woods!"

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"very useful"

Luggage transfers

Accommodation

"2 nights basic but good value, one night excellent"

Overall experience

"Such stunning and varied scenery, plus great organisation by Encounter - a really good walking holiday"

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: The Coleridge Way Name: Brookes Walked on: 15th June 2019

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"All staff very helpful and knowledgeable "

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

Your Walking Routes

"very hilly but beautiful country side. Best was the extension from Porlock Weir to Lynmouth"

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"All most useful. Only went wrong once at 59. Ended up on path to Advent Farm "

Luggage transfers

"Excellent service"

Accommodation

"Best value in B&Bs. Fantastic meal at Sundial House at Wheddon Cross."

Overall experience

"Best walk we have done"

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Nether stowey to Lynmouth over 4 Days Name: Kathryn Walked on: 14th June 2019

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"Very helpful in making sure we got what we wanted"

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

Your Walking Routes

"Route overall very well marked got a little conflicted towards West Quantocks, way markers seemed to take you one way but route on OS map another either way end destination the same."

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"supplied our own maps but the itinerary was fantastic."

Luggage transfers

"Excellent service"

Accommodation

"Would of liked a earlier breakfast time."

Overall experience

"First time doing anything like this. Now thinking about what to do next."

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: coleridge way Name: anais Walked on: 12th June 2019

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"very easy and customized to your liking"

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

Your Walking Routes

"beautiful route with magnificent views, even in the rain."

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

Luggage transfers

Accommodation

Overall experience

"very good holiday"

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge Way Name: Jamie Walked on: 5th May 2019

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

Your Walking Routes

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

Luggage transfers

Accommodation

"Each accommodation was wonderful, but most of all we loved the Valient Soldier. "

Overall experience

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridege Way Name: JS Walked on: 1st May 2019

Planning and booking for your walk with Encounter Walking Holidays

"Appreciated the consistency of contact with one person during the planning of my trip"

Encounter Walking Holidays Website

"Straightforward and informative - one of the reasons I approached this Company"

Your Walking Routes

"Really great diversity of landscapes; encountered few other people, which is what I desired"

Walking notes, maps, guidebooks and itinerary

"Comprehensive and accurate. The most difficult challenge is to not get complacent - or arrogant"

Luggage transfers

"Luggage appeared where it was supposed to be "

Accommodation

Overall experience

"Very well organized trip; provided what I needed but was not overdone."

Would you choose Encounter Walking Holidays for future holidays? Yes

Would you recommend Encounter Walking Holidays to others? Yes

Route: Coleridge Way - Williton to Lynmouth Name: Marion Walked on: 10th October 2018

UK FlagWalked with dog from Willington, via Luxborough, Porlock and Brendon Cross to Lynmouth. Incredible driving winds and rain on Friday 12th meant we curtailed the 13 mile walk to Porlock (the second part over Exmoor) as 'waterproofs' were in no way 'proofs' against this appalling weather. We were truly drenched through and through. The pub called 'The Rest and Be Thankful' in Wheddon Cross lived up to its name.....And it was great to have the taxi numbers. All accommodation and arrangements were great. And the walk is (would be!) spectacular. Thank you so much.