This is a moderate excursion on foot into the romantic landscape of the Quantocks from Fyne Court (National Trust) with many surprises including a former folly and a Roman-style temple on the lower slopes.

It's a circle ideal for both man and dog and is about seven and a half miles, about three hours 45 minutes hours walking, plus an extra three-quarters of a mile to and from the pub at Enmore (optional).

Use the map OS Explorer 140, Quantock Hills & Bridgwater, grid ref: 221 321. Park at Fyne Court in the small hamlet of Broomfield, six miles north of Taunton; six miles south-west of Bridgwater and approached through small country lanes. It is fairly well signed.

The Court is administered by the National Trust and is now a visitor centre for the Quantock Hills. The Somerset Wildlife Trust runs a nature trail in the grounds and there is an exhibition, tea room, shop and toilets.

It was formerly the home of the remarkable 19th-century pioneer electrician Andrew Crosse, and is surrounded by a beautiful Arcadian garden.

Note: Keep the dogs on a lead as you walk out of the drive as they are not allowed in the grounds.

T his is a circle exploring the "swelling hills and deep romantic vales" of the northern slopes of the Quantocks, past a Roman Temple and through the former pleasure grounds of what was once one of the most notable houses in the country, Halswell House at Goathurst.

Starting from Fyne Court centre run by the National Trust it drops down with spectacular views. There is an optional leg to the popular pub at Enmore.

Goathurst has a beautiful church and Halswell House also has a surprising folly up on the hill, all of which are woven in.

It's a dog-friendly walk, too, with mainly kissing gates, but dogs must be on a lead in and out of Fyne Court as they are not allowed to wander in the grounds.

There are no real hills – just an easy climb through a wood near the start and a gentle uphill climb from Goathurst with flat sections.

Enjoy a cup of tea (DIY style) at Fyne Court at the end.

START

Go out the drive to the entrance and turn left along the road coming to Broomfield hamlet with its green, pretty cottages and church.

1. BROOMFIELD

Turn left across the green at the side of the church and go through a kissing gate and into the field with a National Trust sign. Turn left down the field edge and go through a gate into woodland. Follow the path through and then go out into a beautiful green valley. Keep in the same direction through the side of the valley. Cross a stile on the way and eventually reach a lane.

2. LANE

Cross and go up steps following the footpath opposite, climbing up into the wood. Follow paint blobs on the trees to keep you on track. Come down to a broad crossing track with a wood shack. Turn left a yard or two and then bear off right, still following the footpath arrow. This is a small path which drops down through the wood. The camber is not good so watch your footing.

Bend right and cross a stream and stay on the path which may not always be clear. Leave the wood and shortly bear left following high wire fencing for pheasants on the right. The path continues on and enters a field. Follow the left edge.

Cross a marked stile (the least dog-friendly stile), and maintain direction with the hedge now on the right. You are getting some beautiful widespread views across the Quantocks and Somerset. Go through a gate and continue on, shortly reaching cottages and a lane. Turn left.

3. GREENWAY

At a junction, go left a yard or two and then right on a track marked as the Quantock Greenway. Follow this path for 1.4 miles. It later becomes a clear track, straight on, dropping gently and giving you superb views across Bridgwater Bay, across the Severn Estuary to Wales.

Go through a number of gates on the way and ignore side turns. You pass a large Christmas tree plantation and a couple of fields with chicken sheds. Leave the track as it bends right into a field and keep ahead on the footpath between hedges.

Reach a junction and turn right.

4. FARM

Almost immediately arrive at Cobb's Cross Farm which is also an activities centre for the Quantocks. Go past to the lane.

For a detour to the welcoming Tynte Arms pub in Enmore, turn left on the lane and at the main road turn left again. It is about seven minutes walking each way.

To continue our route, turn right on this quiet lane and follow it around a bend past cottages. Ignore the turn right to Broomfield and continue towards Bridgwater. Shortly come to the amazing sight of a Roman-style temple.

5. TEMPLE

The Temple of Harmony is part of Halswell House estate and is based on the 1st Century Temple of Fortuna Virilis in Rome. You can wander round the outside of the Temple at any time but it is also open to go in on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 2-5pm.

Continue on the lane and soon reach Goathurst village and on the right, the entrance drive to Halswell House.

6. DRIVE

Return to the main road and go up the drive to Halswell Park. Pass the thatched entrance lodge Soon see the house itself, in all its splendour.

It has been impressively restored over several years and is now a premier wedding and functions venue .

As you approach the house, reach a wood on the right. Here turn right and follow the wood round. Go through a large kissing gate and on up through two fields. Up on the wood edge to the left you may get glimpses of Robin Hood's Hut, another of the romantic buildings of the Halswell estate. It is now a holiday cottage cared for by the Landmark Trust.

Reach the wood at the top and go through. Cross a wide, probably rather muddy, vehicle track on the way and just continue straight over. Come out into a field on the other side. The path goes up the right edge of the field and near the top bears off left to cut off the top corner. It then goes along the top edge to a drive and comes out on the lane.

7. FARM

Opposite is Rook's Castle Farm. Go into the main entrance (there is a stile at the side). Don't bend left to the house, but instead go straight ahead through a Bristol gate (a large gate with a pedestrian gate built into it). Now head diagonally across to the bottom right corner and go over a footbridge. Go on through a kissing gate and along a hedged path. It may be somewhat overgrown in high summer. Go through another metal gate at the end and join the Macmillan Way which comes in on the left.

8. MACMILLAN WAY

Continue on down, cross a stream, and continue ahead up the track through a gate. Before long the track bends right and soon levels out, so you are walking along the side of the hill. Now continue all the way to a stile and gate on to a Tarmac farm lane.

9. FARM LANE

Go straight ahead and after a few minutes reach a junction. Turn right uphill. Just past a house, turn left steeply up steps, still on the Macmillan Way.

Follow the left fence, passing the house and cross two stiles ahead and in the next field go along the top edge, still in the same direction as before. Bend with the fence downhill and go over a stile and into a stunning garden.

10. GARDEN

Follow the arrows through the bottom of the garden, crossing the stream twice and going alongside the lake. Then enter woodland. The path takes you through and eventually joins a larger crossing track. Turn right uphill. The track is quite stony and rutted.

11. WOOD EXIT

Come out of the wood and join the lane (ignore the track ahead). Go straight ahead up the lane climbing gently. This eventually brings you round a bend back to Broomfield. Retrace your steps back to Fyne Court. Down in the visitor centre there are facilities for making your own drink and biscuits and you can enjoy the garden, exhibition and shop.

Fyne Court, 01823 451814 (Warden's office). Tynte Arms, Enmore. Tel: 01278 671351. Closed Monday lunch. As always, please call before setting out to confirm opening times.