Reports on Walks in March 2006 updated 3rd April 2006

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(photos Roger Conway)

Walk Stats:- 4.48miles, climbs 178ft

The group left the car park and passed Kilve Chantry on the way to West Kilton, noting a good crop of lambs in the adjacent fields; on reaching the top of a hill, an excellent view was obtained of Steep and Flat Holms and the Bristol Channel.    The Chantry was built in 1329 to say mass for its founder Simon De Furneax, a local notary, employing five monks for this purpose; in the 19^th century it was used by smugglers to hide contraband (brandy) but was burnt down in 1850 (legend says to get rid of evidence so avoiding arrest by the Excise men).  The walkers passed through West Kilton that was mentioned in the will of King Alfred who gave it to his son Edward the Elder in 873.  The parish church of St Nicholas was founded in 1100; it was rebuilt in 1862 incorporating the chancel arch and lower tower section from the 14^th century and windows from the 15^th century.

The walk continued on to Lilstock where our ramblers stopped to visit the Church of St Andrews; along the way a number of spring flowers were spotted namely the delicate yellow blooms of primroses, wild violets in three colours, blue, white and pink, and the small yellow flowers of celerium.  The Church of St Andrews is one of the smallest in Somerset; it was built in the 14^th century although a church had been there since the 10^th century.  In 1086 Lilstock was mentioned in the Doomsday Book as being held by Ansger Coquus who was in fact William the Conqueror’s cook, (Coquus meaning cook).  In the 19^th century Lilstock was a thriving port with coal imported from Wales and pit props and lime exported.  A stone pier was built by the Acland family with a wooden awning and a butler’s pantry at its end, (they obviously had their priorities right); pleasure steamers plied between Lilstock, Burnham, Ilfracombe and Cardiff.

Having viewed the old harbour area, our gallant band headed back to Kilve Pill along the Coastal path enjoying the excellent views of Steep Holm and the mainland cliff formations along the way.

The walk went past the Church of St Mary that was built in the 13^th century and its magnificent tower, added in the 15^th century, was admired; it is here that members of the Warre family are buried.  It continued across fields via a bridge over Gadds stream where lambs were seen playing oblivious to the falling rain and eventually arrived at Hill Farm.  The group started the descent of the hill and stopped by the folly at the top of the Hestercombe estate where a well-earned coffee break was taken. At this point our dog, Megan, following scent, flushed out a rabbit and chased it but without success; the rain had all but stopped and the wind had freshened and blown away the clouds to give an excellent view of Taunton in the Vale with the Blackdown Hills lurking in the background.

On satisfying the inner man our merry band continued their descent, travelling alongside the Hestercombe estate, admiring the boundary dry-stone wall constructed from Morte slate that was quarried locally at Coombe and West Monkton, until they arrived at Hestercombe Farm.  From here the group progressed down Hestercombe road to Upper Cheddon; this afford excellent views of Hestercombe House built by Coplestone Warre Bamfylde in the 18^th century with extensively landscaped gardens and the 19^th century Victorian terrace and gardens added by Edward Lutyens and Gertrude Jeckyll.  From Upper Cheddon our walkers went down the footpath to Nailsbourne, then followed a tributary of the Kingston stream to Kingston St Mary and returned to the car park via the church grounds; on the way the first yellow blossoms of primrose were spotted inter mingled with blue periwinkle flowers.  Perhaps Spring had arrived after all. 

(photos Roger Conway)

Walk Stats:- 11.1miles, climbs 1,258ft

After crossing a recently ploughed field the entrance to privately owned land was reached.  Prior permission had been obtained but before entering the group was told the very real situation of Black Panthers being in the vicinity. The leader, knowing the gamekeeper was aware that they had been seen nearby for many years.  He had been told they had even bred locally. This knowledge may have been worrying for one member who took a comfort stop and found himself temporarily on his own. The glorious weather and exercise had lifted the spirits and it was almost a pity the walk ended.

(photos Roger Conway)

(photos John Ollerenshaw & Stewart Owen)

Passing Anstey Gate, the group descended to cross two streams with crystal clear water. The low water level was noted. Climbing up through gorse and rough grazing a small herd of deer were flushed from the cover and bounded away gracefully, pausing to stare suspiciously at the two-footed strangers. After a short stretch of road the unmarked way led down to a large farm on the Two Moors Way. A barking dog brought the owner out who endeavoured to explain to some of the group why he didn’t want the path waymarked. Though there was a difference of opinion ,the parting was amicable. Tarr Steps (above right) was soon reached and the group enjoyed a picnic lunch and drinks in bright, almost warm sunlight while the local chaffinch population vied for whatever crusts could be spared.

Recrossing the great slabs of the clapper bridge, the party took the quiet back lane up to Hawkridge where a short saunter around the churchyard revealed an interesting anomaly: headstones to the left of the church porch faced one way, while those to the right faced the other way.

The way back from Hawkridge replicated the route outlined in “Somerset Walks” and followed a ridge to descend to recross one of the streams crossed on the outward walk leg. The pace slowed as it was all uphill to the waiting cars. Here the group split,some to return home, but most to enjoy a fine tea in Dulverton premier tea rooms - what better way to end a day’s walk !