From the top of the natural pier and extension of the Mendip Hills that is Brean Down, you can look over to south Wales and the islands of Steep Holm and Flat Holm or back inland across the Somerset Levels.

As well as a Palmerston Fort, there is evidence of Second World War defences at Brean, more of which punctuate the walk to Minehead in the form of pill boxes.

To the west is the sweep of sand that will take you past Berrow Dunes, a Local Nature Reserve supporting numerous different species of flowering plants, and into Burnham-on-Sea passing its iconic lighthouse on legs and pier; the shortest in the UK.

From Burnham you walk along the banks of the River Brue past the award-winning Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park.

Leaving the coast, the path follows the River Parrett to Bridgwater, passing through Pawlett Hams, part of the Bridgwater Bay Site of Special Scientiffic Interest and once noted as the richest 2,000 acres in England, as well as areas of war time and industrial heritage. The route offers views across the river to Steart Point and the Bridgwater Bay Nature Reserve.

Once in Bridgwater, it is well worth stopping in the town to examine the Victorian docks – once a hub of commerce – and the many architectural gems picked out on the heritage trail.

This section of the trail is 22 miles or 35km. It can be shortened by staying in Burnham-on-Sea or Highbridge and exploring Brean Down and Berrow the day before, or starting in Weston-super-Mare and breaking the journey at Burnham-on-Sea, from which it is 15 miles or 23km to Bridgwater.

Leaving Bridgwater on the western bank of the River Parrett the path joins the River Parrett Trail and takes you through Somerset Levels farmland to the estuary village of Combwich and on to the Steart peninsular.

Steart Marshes are now managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) to promote their role as a natural flood barrier. The marshes were deliberately breached in 2014 to create one of the UK’s largest wetland reserves. In winter the already significant populations of birds in and around Bridgwater Bay are bolstered by over-wintering visitors attracted to the developing salt marsh. Sensitive planting and landscaping means there is something of interest in any season.

Leaving the peninsular the path follows the West Somerset Coast Path through Stolford and past Hinkley Point power station to Lilstock and Kilve. This section of the coast features some stunning cliff and shore formations and fossils are regularly exposed on both the shore and the cliff face.

At Lilstock the natural harbour led to the development of a busy port in the 1820s and the remains of this can still be seen today in the woods backing the harbour area.

Ending this section of the walk in Kilve you are now in the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with many excursions into the hills for those wanting to break their walk or try something a little more challenging.

This section of the route is 23 miles or 38km, including the diversion around Hinkley Point power station.

It is possible to break this section of the route and find accommodation in one of the villages close to the trail.

The geology of the shores between Lilstock and Blue Anchor is recognised and this section of coast is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Ancient earth movements and modern landslips have thrown up some wonderful shapes and colours on this section, including creamy Alabaster. As you walk along the beach, the key is to look up, and while walking along the cliffs look down, so as not to miss anything.

The route passes through East Quantoxhead where it leaves the West Somerset Coast Path to stay on the coast and pass through St Audries with its beach waterfall and on to the old seafaring town of Watchet where it re-joins the West Somerset Coast Path.

Watchet is full of history and tall tales and its museums and visitor centre are well worth the visit to find out more.

It is also the point at which the route joins the West Somerset Railway offering the stunning sight of steam trains arriving and leaving the town.

From Kilve to Watchet is 7 miles or 10km, a short stretch leaving plenty of time to explore the area.

Leaving Watchet the route heads along the coast to Blue Anchor. It is particularly important to be cautious about walking too near to the cliff edge here as this section of the coast is susceptible to rock falls.

When diversions are in place the route takes in a section of the the old Mineral Line, a railway that carried iron ore from the Brendon Hills to the harbour at Watchet, and through the villages of Washford and Old Cleeve to Blue Anchor.

From Blue Anchor the path stays close to the beach passing war time pillboxes and offering stunning views of Dunster Castle.

A detour into Dunster offers another interesting excursion with a path from the beach to the village, where the old Yarn Market sits in the heart of the village overlooked by Dunster Castle.

Leaving Dunster and heading towards Minehead, the hills of Exmoor and the start of the South West Coast Path draw you on past the the dunes and greens of the golf course to Minehead’s quintessential seaside esplanade.

Past the main seafront the quay side cottages shelter under Minehead’s North Hill and take you back in time to when Minehead was a busy local port trading in cattle, sheep, wool, butter, fish and coal.

Including the diversion this final section of the walk is 9 miles or 15km.