KEEN walkers are being urged to book their tickets early for this year’s Quantock Hills Walking Festival.

The festival, now in its seventh year, takes place next month over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8.

A big change to the format this year sees the Nether Stowey-based group Stowey Walking hand over the organising to the National Trust at Coleridge Cottage.

The walks, which cater for people of all abilities, will be led by a new team of volunteer walk leaders trained by the Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme, with support from National Trust volunteer walk leaders and Somerset Council.

This year’s festival offers an opportunity to visit the remains of two medieval castles, the impressive earthwork motte and bailey of Nether Stowey Castle Mount and the romantic ruins of Stogursey Castle on a six-mile walk.

A 10-mile walk to explore the beauty of the Quantock Hills will also see walkers looking out for evidence of historic volcano activity in the area.

On another walk, walkers can also discover the remains of an iron age hill fort amid a forest of twisted oaks in the Dowsborough Panhandle.

Ahead of the walking festival, the National Trust is inviting people to join one of its volunteers in the garden room of Coleridge Cottage as they share tales of the poet’s time living in Nether Stowey, where he penned some of his best-known works.

The event on Saturday, May 17, will feature readings of Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Frost at Midnight, and Kubla Khan.

A spokesperson said: “As usual, places will be limited so booking is essential.

“There will not be an up-front charge for the walks this year, but a donation may be asked for on the day.”

Tickets can be booked via the National Trust website.