North Somerset’s Strawberry Line Named Britain’s Favourite Path 2026
WINSCOMBE, UK — A section of the Strawberry Line in North Somerset has been crowned Britain’s Favourite Path for 2026, following a nationwide public vote organised by walking charity the Ramblers.
The traffic-free trail near Winscombe beat seven other shortlisted routes across the UK, including the runner-up Buttermere Circular Path in the Lake District. The win marks the second consecutive year a South West route has claimed the national title, following a stretch of the South West Coast Path between Bude and Westward Ho! in 2025.
Local resident Amanda Jane Baldwin, who nominated the path, highlighted its accessibility and community upkeep as key reasons for its success.
“The Strawberry Line is on my doorstep—my car isn’t needed for this stunning walk,” Baldwin said. “It’s accessible in all weathers, goes on for miles, and is maintained entirely by volunteers, which makes it all the more precious to walk on.”
Railway Heritage Transformed into 20-Mile Multi-Use Trail
The winning section forms part of an ambitious broader project creating an unbroken traffic-free route from the Mendip Hills to the Somerset coast.
Originally built as a Great Western Railway (GWR) branch line running from Yatton to Witham Junction via Cheddar, Wells, and Shepton Mallet, the route transported locally grown Cheddar Valley strawberries until passenger and freight services ended in the late 1960s.
Today, sustained efforts by local volunteer groups have converted the former trackbed into a 20-mile path designed for mixed use, including:
Walkers, trail runners, and dog owners
Commuters and leisure cyclists
Wheelchair users and mobility scooter riders
Equestrians on designated bridleway stretches
Protecting Access to Green Spaces
The annual competition, now in its third year, highlights the role well-maintained rights of way play in public health and community connectivity.
“Local paths are lifelines—they connect people with green space, fresh air, and better mental and physical health,” said Rachel Mulrenan, Campaigns Manager at the Ramblers. “Across Britain, millions remain cut off from nature because paths are missing, blocked, or unusable. The Strawberry Line is a prime example of what happens when communities open up and restore these links.”
Television presenter and campaign judge Matt Johnson added that the route’s strong community backing made it a standout winner for 2026: “It is brilliant to see a path that means so much to its local community recognised on a national stage.”
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