Cadbury Camp is the site of an Iron Age fort found just off the M5, near Tickenham in Somerset and was the perfect spot for us to break up our journey from Birmingham down to Minehead whilst on holiday last month. Whilst the girls both cope quite well with long car journeys – it’s always good to be able to get out and stretch our legs for a while – especially when there’s somewhere interesting to explore!
The nearest place to park to visit Cadbury Camp is Tickenham village hall and there are a couple of walking routes signposted there (and also available on the National Trust website for Cadbury Camp). Â Â We decided to follow the two-mile ramble route, which was two miles long, and looked more manageable for little legs than the slightly longer climb.
The first part of the walk was along the main road, before we turned off on to the bridleway and headed up the hill. Jessica was quite disgusted when she spotted the horse poo on the path –  “Mummy, horses shouldn’t poo on the path!” – cue explanations that animals don’t have toilets and that horse poo is quite good for helping things to grow!
It had been raining earlier in the day so the girls were in puddle suits and wellies but soon got too hot as the sun came out and so we tied the top half around their waists.
Knowing that two miles up and down a hill was probably a bit far for the girls to walk, we made sure that we had the toddler carrier with us – especially as we suspected the walk would be unsuitable for buggies (which turned out to be the case).  While Sophie was quite happy to climb, Jessica got tired quite quickly and I ended up carrying her part of the way up the hill.  We walked past the golf course which Jessica was fascinated by (“Mummy why are there balls on the mountain?”) and hunted for mini beasts in all the plant life at the side of the path, spotting ladybirds and beetles along the way.
Once up the top of the hill, we stopped to get our breath back for a moment before exploring the mounds from the fort and admiring the views across the hills and out to sea. Â Both the girls loved running about in the long grass and Jessica had fun trying to roll down the sides of the mound.
The view was even better as we made the climb down the hill which was quite steep. This time it was Sophie’s turn to be carried on my back while Jessica managed to walk most of the way down (with a short ride on Daddy’s shoulders).
It was the perfect way to break up the journey and all four of us felt much better for some fresh air and a nice long walk. It was quite a long walk for little legs but both the girls coped very well with it (plus it tired them out nicely so they both slept through most of the journey to Minehead!) It was just a shame that we didn’t have a bit more time to explore (and if we’d been organised enough to bring a picnic with us, that would have made it better still!)
What gorgeous views, definitely makes the walk up the hill worthwhile 🙂 Looks like you ended up with a beautiful day, lovely blue skies! Good on the girls for all that walking x #countrykids
The views were fabulous and it was lovely that the sun came out for our walk too 🙂
This looks like a lovely walk with brilliant views. The kids dos so well going up the hill but like you say a carrier is always a must. We love a family hike it’s just a shame this is so far from us.
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#countrykids
It’s a very long way from us as well – nice to find places like these when trying to break up a journey though! 🙂
Looks like a beautiful place and a great stop off. Lovely to find place like this and explore. #countrykids
It was a lovely place to explore – it was a shame we didn’t have more time to do so.
We always try to find somewhere like this to break long journeys too. Much nicer than sitting in a motorway service station. Intrigued by the name – I’m assuming it was named this before the chocolate bars came along?! #countrykids
I think the name means “Cada’s fort” so nothing to do with the chocolate bars (unless that’s the origin of the Cadbury brothers’ name too)
A lovely way to break up a car journey. I always feel a bit wobbly and odd after a long journey and a good walk is my perfect cure. The views there look wonderful and I love the photos of the girls sitting and playing in the grass at the top. I hope it was the start of a lovely family holiday for you all.
Thank you for sharing in #CountryKids
It was a lovely holiday, thank you Fiona – and I loved watching the girls having fun playing at the top. We all felt so much better for having a nice long walk 🙂
This looks like a lovely walk! What a great way to break up a long car journey! We are not very good at breaking up long car journeys – we normally just try and get to our destination as soon as we possibly can but that is no fun for anybody!
We’ve done that a few times as well but it does usually mean we’re all quite grumpy by the time we reach our destination – we’ve learned now that we need to make time if we can and break the journey up and everyone tends to be happier for it.
That does look like a perfect place to stop to break up the journey, I will definitely bookmark that one. #countrykids
It was a lovely place to explore – we used the National Trust app to find somewhere to break up the journey and this was a good place along the route to stop.
What a gorgeous view – I saw the title and immediatley thought it was chocolate related though. We have a iron age fort locally and the kids love it
I can imagine how the title makes you think it’s chocolate related – no link as far as I know though! 🙂
Such a good idea to break up a long car journey with such a beautiful walk! The views from the top of the hill are stunning. Wonderful countryside. As for your girls – they are super cute)!
Thank you – it was a lovely walk and the views were well worth the climb to reach the top! 🙂
Oh, meant to add, I am coming from #countrykids
I bet walking up that hill took some doing but the views, oh the views, make it so worth it – stunning #countrykids
It did take a bit of effort getting up the hill but yes, the views were well worth it! 🙂
Looks like a fantastic spot for a walk! Really beautiful scenery
It was gorgeous – the perfect spot to break up the journey 🙂
Wow what a view, well worth the walk to see that #CountryKids
It certainly was! 🙂
What fabulous views-definitely worth the trek uphill!
I have to admit that I saw the title and was expecting chocolate to be involved. I’m not chocolate obsessed, honest! 😉
Lol, yes I can see where the confusion with chocolate comes in! It would have been nice if there was some chocolate involved 🙂
You seem to get absolutely everywhere! That looks like the perfect place to run about and explore x
It was a great place to break up the journey 🙂
Looks like a fab place to explore, and just perfect for breaking up car journey. I love the view from the top, just the sort of place we love visiting. Will have to make a note in case we are ever in the area 🙂
It is a gorgeous view from the top and we enjoyed our walk – definitely a good place to break up a journey along the M5 🙂
I miss a trip like this! Ours is usually just around here which can only last for so long.
The place looks lovely and theres so much space! #countrykids
It was a lovely walk. I have to say your walks where you live always look fabulous – I’m quite envious of you being so close to the beach!
It always amazes me how far children can walk. What beautiful views and photos of your girls #countrykids
Thank you Karen – I was quite impressed with how well both of them coped with the walk! 🙂
Great place to stop off. I always like new finds and beautiful views. Love the bug hunting part way through, great way to break a walk up. #countrykids
The bug hunting was lots of fun and yes, a great way of breaking up the walk 🙂