WALKING

RACHEL’S RAMBLES

By Rachel Mead The more you know, the more you realise how much you don’t know. The more I walk, the more I realise how much more I have to explore. What I do know is that there are thousands of footpaths weaving their way across the varied landscape within the Conduit’s catchment area, what I don’t know is the history behind those footpaths.

For today’s ramble we’re heading to the home of the Dovecote which is also a stop along the Leland Trail, and we’re parking up in Bruton. At the time of writing it is mid-September, the weather is being incredibly fortuitous and even though the autumnal blackberry pickers are out in force, it’s a day for shorts and t-shirt. The sky is vividly blue and the cows are leisurely chewing their cud despite being pestered by flies. It’s balmy, the warm air has that familiar farmyard tang, and as we happily ascend Lusty Hill taking in the Grade ll* listed structure, it feels good to kickstart the walk with a view. The Dovecote sits above the town of Bruton and even though its origins are uncertain, the archeologists suggest that it may have once been part of the local Augustinian Abbey. A guideline build-date hazards a guess that it was erected somewhere between the 15th and 17th centuries, so we are left wondering whether it was built under the reign of King Henry VI or perhaps Charles I. One thing is for sure though, the doves may have flown the nest, but they have been replaced with their close relations, the pigeons. For those who find feathers to be a symbol of peace or love, you can be sure to fulfil your beliefs here, just pluck one up from the earthy floor. After a full 360 circumnavigation of the limestone dovecote and the extensive views, we head back down the tufty-grassed pillow mound and pick up a footpath. It’s worth noting that there are many footpaths feeding into the town and so you can extend or shorten your walk depending on your time limits. For the energetic amongst you, John Leland established a 28 mile footpath starting in Penselwood and finishing in Ham Hill near Yeovil. As a keen poet and the royal librarian to King Henry V111, Leland traversed through South Somerset in the 16th century listing all the antiquities and books of the local churches and priories.

Unfortunately we don’t have the time to follow in those footsteps today, so we choose an alternative route which loops us out towards Redlynch and back. I wonder if Leland based his poem ‘The day is past and gone’ whilst here, the words certainly ring true because the more I walk, the more I know that in the not so distant future I will be heading to Penselwood to follow his trail from start to finish, “ And when we early rise, and view the unwearied sun, may we set out to win the prize, and after glory run.”

To find some more inspiring walks in the countryside: www.visitsouthsomerset.com /menu/inspire-me/ brochures.aspx?parentNodeName=Brochures#

If you would like to recommend a ramble for Rachel then please email rachel@zestbureau.co.uk You can also see more photos from each walk on instagram: rachelsrambles