Footpaths

The footpaths in Burtle are a small part of the County’s network of nearly 4000 miles as recorded in the 1950s. More information about the County’s footpaths can be found here

Originally, in the absence of tarmac roads, footpaths were created as walking ways to work, church, school or the next village. For example, BW14/22 gave access to what were the village allotments.

Nowadays the paths have an increasingly important leisure role. The Parish Council has successfully organised a number of walks as social events in the past.

Most of the marked paths are open but any issues/ obstructions are noted on the Somerset County Council interactive map  None is particularly long or arduous, and all offer excellent wildlife watching opportunities. Walkers may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a hare, weasel or watervole. In winter the resident birds are joined by flocks of starling on their way to roost in the reserves at Ham Wall or Shapwick, and sometimes by significant numbers of lapwing.

Please take care to observe the Country Code when you walk, and take particular care if your dog is with you. There is a very helpful and informative leaflet ‘Guide for Dog Owners and Walkers‘

It is worth noting that there are a number of Droves in the parish. Droves are not a public right of way, they are a private means of access shared by landowners who have land adjacent to the drove.