ABOUT THE WEST MENDIP WALKERS
Our weekly Thursday walks take place over the whole of the Mendips and often beyond, including South Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire.Our weekly Thursday walks take place over the whole of the Mendips and often beyond, including South Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. We also organise two day trips further afield, for example to Exmoor, Dartmoor and the Malverns. We walk at a faster pace and we aim to have longer (10-12 miles) and shorter (7-9 miles) each month. We have short stops for lunch and no tea or coffee stops, but we do try to end up at a pub or cafe. We ask everyone to register for walks with the walk leader and we allow well behaved dogs on our walks. We encourage all members to take their turn to lead walks, typically two per year. Please note that the walk distances are approximate.
JANUARY 2025 WALK PROGRAMME
Thursday 2nd January
West Mendip Walkers 12 mile strenuous circular walk from Holford Bowling Green (TA5 1SA). Climb to Bicknoller Post via Hodder's Combe and Slaughterhouse Combe. Continue along the left flank of Beacon Hill to Staple Plantation then descend to the Coleridge Way.This descent is steep and may be slippery ( walking poles recommended ). Follow Coleridge way before the long climb to Beacon Hill. Part of this route is in a bad state of repair so again walking poles are recommended. Then cross back to Bicknoller Post and Halsway Post before descending via a ridge back to the car park keeping Higher and Lower Hare Knap on the left hand side.
OS Map Ex140 ST15253 41036 What3words:pony.warned.denote. Start 9.30a.m. Park at Bowling Green. Register with Andy Paterson Tel: 07749 999207 or aepat@btinternet.com
Thursday 9th January
West Mendip Walkers moderate 7-8 mile walk around the Iron Age fort of Cadbury Castle, the alleged site of King Arthur’s Camelot: the route will offer variations considering winter terrain conditions, using quiet lanes where the ground might be just too muddy.
From Cadbury Castle car park (BA22 7HA) the walk commences uphill with a circumnavigation of the fortification, rising to the pasture summit and 360 degree views; and then descends to the village, passing the medieval church of St. Thomas a Becket to Folly Lane. After a lower part-circumnavigation of Cadbury Castle Fort; the route passes thro’ or by the villages of Sutton Montis, Corton Denham; ‘off road’ we will climb the slopes of Parrock & Corton Hills, past Whitcombe village medieval footprint, atop Corton Ridge. Ascents are steady and relatively easy, here and there shallow downhill trickling fords, a stile or two a little shaky; with great views of undulating hills and across The Levels.
OS Map Ex129 ST63198 25473 What3words:headset.abstracts.pianists Start 9.30a.m. Park in free car park at Cadbury Castle (BA22 7HA), space for 12 cars which makes car sharing advisable. Register with Christine Jackson Tel: 07884 484341 or christinejjackson@hotmail.co.uk
Thursday 16th January
West Mendip walkers moderate 9 mile circular walk from the free car park next to The Market Kitchen, Ladymead Lane, Langford, (BS25 5NH).
A scenic ramble along good footpaths and tracks for the time of year. The walk undulates and includes several steady climbs but is not difficult. The walk is varied and includes woodland, forest and even an activity centre/ski resort. Finally exploring Windmill hill.
OS Map Ex141 ST 44864 59975 What3words:pens.requiring.overdone Start 9.30a.m. Park in free car park (BS25 5NH). Register with Kimberley Myers Tel: 07809 433627 or myersfamily@btopenworld.com
Thursday 23rd January
West Mendip Walkers moderate 7.5 mile walk from free car park in Castle Cary (BA7 7EE) to Bruton. We walk through the town before walking along the Macmillan Way through woodland and fields passing the hamlet of Cole and on towards Bruton. We return along the Leland Trail with expansive views of the area before returning to our start point via the hamlet of Wyke.
There is some minor country lane walking but it is still a dog friendly walk.
OS Map Ex142 ST 63874 32161 What3words:awards.ember.eradicate Start 9.30a.m. Park free car park off Millbrook Gardens (BA7 7EE). Register with Andrew Smallbone Tel: 07581 568805 or andrewsmallbone@hotmail.com
Thursday 30th January
West Mendip Walkers 12 Mile circular walk from Clevedon (BS21 6YJ). Start by heading up into the Warren woodland and walk along the ridge line past Keepers Cottage and Nortons Wood. Cross over the motorway and head to Cadbury Camp (part of Gordano round) and head down towards Folly House Farm passing a golf course on the left. The route then goes along Old Lane passing Little Valley Farm and Chummock Wood before proceeding along Cadbury Camp Lane passing some very exclusive properties, through the woodlands of Dunhill Wood and West Park Wood. The walk then passes under the motorway to Clevedon Lane, past Hoopers Farm and across Weston Moor to Common Hill wood. Walk across the settlement, past Clevedon Golf Club and head down through Rockwood and Castle Hill passing the remains of Dalton Castle. The route finally returns to the start point passing Clevedon school along the way.The walk has a few inclines, uneven paths and surfaces and well established paths.
OS Map Ex154 ST41851 71136 What3words: dine.gears.unit Start 9.30a.m Park considerately on roadside in Brookfield Walk. Register with Janet Tippett Tel: 07970 068642 or janettippett@icloud.com
