Section 1 of the Coleridge Way runs 14.5 miles from Nether Stowey to Monksilver and is graded moderate. The Coleridge Way begins at Nether Stowey, starting from the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s historic home, Coleridge Cottage. The route climbs steadily through the Quantock Hills, offering a rich blend of dramatic history, ancient woodlands, and open moorland. Along the way, walkers experience sweeping panoramic views, eerie historic sites like Walfords Gibbett, peaceful villages with charming inns, and scenic ridges known as The Quantock Greenway. The path also passes notable landmarks connected to literary figures and ends near inviting villages that provide convenient overnight stops. Options & Overnight Stops: • For a more relaxed pace, stop at West Quantoxhead after 8 miles. • Continue on through woodland valleys, the thatched village of Bicknoller, and pastoral landscapes toward Sampford Brett with its 13th-century St George’s Church. • Nearby Williton offers overnight accommodations after 11 miles, requiring a slight detour from the main path. • Beyond Sampford Brett, follow wooded valleys to the Elizabethan Manor House at Aller Farm, crossing a footbridge where tradition asks walkers to leave a 1p coin to keep the tree spirits happy. • End the day climbing through ancient droves and sunken lanes to reach Monksilver, a peaceful village at the base of the Brendon Hills, offering accommodations right on the route. • Alternatively, consider a stop at the larger village of Stogumber, located about 1 mile off the trail.