WWT Steart Marshes – View of Bridgwater Bay loop from Somerset

Hiking trails & Routes

WWT Steart Marshes – View of Bridgwater Bay loop from Somerset

Moderate

5.0

(4)

hikers

WWT Steart Marshes – View of Bridgwater Bay loop from Somerset

04:15

16.9km

10m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 15, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

764 m

Red and White Buoy on the River Parrett

Highlight • Viewpoint

Lovely trail with hides for birdwatching. Pub and shop in the village.

Tip by

3.45 km

WWT Steart Marshes

Highlight • Viewpoint

Steart Marshes lies at the mouth of the River Parrett and is a working wetland preserve. Home to a vast population of wildfowl and being an important part of the local flood defences, it’s a wonderful place to walk around.

Managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, there are salt and freshwater marshes here covering hundreds of hectares. Otters, egrets and wildfowl all call this their home and you’ll find plenty of hides dotted about to spy on them.

Tip by

8.76 km

View of Bridgwater Bay

Highlight • Viewpoint

8.92 km

Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve is a large area encompassing the Steart Peninsula and Steart Marshes. Managed by Natural England, it’s a vital habitat for overwintering birds and has extensive mudflats that reach out into the Bristol Channel.

While the marshes are fascinating to walk around, looking out into the bay is a phenomenal sight when the tide is out and the mud is covered in birds. Around 190 species of bird have been recorded here, so bring binoculars.

This area has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world and the dangers of fast, incoming waves should not be underestimated.

Tip by

16.0 km

Anchor Inn & Historic Fives Wall

Highlight • Pub

The Anchor Inn dates back to around 1700 and has an 18th-century Fives Wall next to it. Fives is a ball game played by two or four players whereby the ball is hit with a (gloved) hand. This kind of hand-tennis game has many iterations and is now only really played by a handful of private schools.

Back in the day, Fives was played against church walls but, thanks to the damage caused, encouraged specific Fives Walls to be constructed. Few remain and the Anchor has one!

The pub itself is charming and is a favourite amongst locals for serving excellent food.

Tip by

16.9 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types