A favoured stop off when driving to the West Country

We try to arrive at around 10am when we can park for free and be there for the cafe opening time of 10.30. This is an excellent stop with lovely interesting walks by the canal in either direction and a super dog friendly cafe. I'm always tempted by their cakes, but this time we had a late breakfast of sausage baps. There are toilets too.

Tranquil Walk

Very nice stroll along the canal path, you can go in either direction. Cafe or further along is a pub. Does get very busy at the weekend but well worth getting away from traffic noise.

perfect stop off on drive to Devon

A great alternative to motorway service stations, about 15 minutes drive from the M5, perfect for us and our anxious/reactive dog. Free parking, toilet, great cafe and lovely walk along the canal. On both days we stopped here (journey to Devon and return the following week) we arrived around 10am. Both cafe and car park likely to get busy but there is a further cafe/pub beside the canal nearby and I think parking also.

Flat and Easy Walking

Heading North, leave M5 at junction 25. A358 Taunton/Yeovil, A38 Drinkwater road, onto A361. This is an acceptable diversion from M5.

Maunsel Lock Tearooms with its limited parking is on the opposite side of the lane to Bridgewater and Taunton Canal public car park. There are two picnic benches with a litter bin in this car park, and a dog waste bin at the entrance. Excellent canal scenery. Plenty of wild life.

Secure path which means dogs can go off-lead.

Nice quite spot. Tea Rooms are good with excellent clean WC. Well worth the detour