Author: Olly Parry-Jones

I live in Weston-super-Mare, close to the Mendip Hills in Somerset and I enjoy time spent outdoors, whether that's walking, camping or backpacking. My day job involved making furniture from recycled wood (I'm a furniture maker and carpenter by trade). I have two blogs: Olly Writes (woodworking, DIY, baking) Walks With Olly (walking, camping and kit) You can also find me on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. My second YouTube channel is titled 'Walks with Olly'.

Walking the Castles and Coast Way

Walking the 13 mile long Castles and Coast Way in West Somerset. A new circular footpath, created in 2019.

Monday 3rd May 2021

This was the first weekend in May where I had the idea of driving down to Exmoor for a full day’s walking. But the weather forecast looked grim – and it has barely improved as the weeks have passed. I was sizing up the Quantock Hills, when I spotted the ‘Castles and Coast Way‘ marked on the latest OS Map.

It was time to explore this thirteen-mile long Way, walking between the Quantock Hills and the West Somerset coast.

Click here to watch my YouTube video of this walk.

Continue reading “Walking the Castles and Coast Way”

Wedmore to Draycott Sleights

Good Friday 2nd April 2021

It was the beginning of Easter and I had the opportunity to go for a decent walk with a friend. Not entirely comfortable with the idea of restarting or resuming walks with groups of others, this seemed like a good opportunity to get out with company. Being an Easter weekend, I also decided we’d avoid the busiest areas, while staying fairly local to our homes.

Continue reading “Wedmore to Draycott Sleights”

West Mendip Way: Bleadon Hill to Shipham

My second circular walk in a series that aims to cover the 30 mile West Mendip Way.

Monday 29th March 2021

Let’s get the L-word out of the way – this was my first walk in the wake of Lockdown 3.0. One the very day in which some restrictions were officially relaxed. Again.

I’d decided to keep it fairly local; keeping to the Mendip Hills. I would return to walk another leg of the West Mendip Way.

Continue reading “West Mendip Way: Bleadon Hill to Shipham”