7 minute read
Walking Sue Gearing
Beauty and bluebells around the River Chew
CELEBRATEspring with this gorgeous circle in the Chew Valley from Compton Dando, south of Keynsham, taking you out into beautiful rolling countryside with views much of the way. There are bluebell woods, vales, fields, streams, old mills and an alpaca farm. At the end come alongside the River Chew at a beauty spot by an old mill and then, a welcoming pub, awaits.
There are only kissing gates – no stiles – so that’s an added bonus. There are hills, both up and down. There should not be too much mud, though Lord’s Wood may be the exception.
PARK: In Compton Dando, a village on the River Chew, east of Pensford and south of Keynsham. The Compton Inn is welcoming Mendip Times walkers to park there. This very comfortable inn is open all day so make sure you go in and enjoy a drink, snack or meal. If the car park looks full there is parking in the road outside.
START: From the car park, turn left past the village hall and immediately, by Compton Cottage, cross the cattle grid or the footbridge and head up the track. Enter a field and continue ahead up along the right edge. Already start to get pleasant views across country.
Go through another kissing gate and more or less continue straight on, ignoring side paths and climbing gently. There is woodland and a valley down right. Go through a kissing gate (KG) ahead into another field to follow the right edge. Near the end go right through the hedge and left, in the same direction as before.
Over left in the distance is the distinctive wooded hillfort of Stantonbury Camp, a familiar sight
With Sue Gearing
throughout this walk. It is situated on the ancient, impressive Wansdyke defensive earthwork. It may have marked the northern boundary of Dumnonia, a kingdom, covering from Wiltshire to Cornwall. The dyke, now in fragments runs from Maes Knoll near Bath to Marlborough, about 40 miles. The exciting Wansdyke Project aims to create a walkable path along the Wansdyke.
1. FOOTBRIDGE
At a crossing path, turn left across a footbridge. Now simply follow the left edge for just over half a mile, along and then down to picturesque Tucking Mill (the mill itself was demolished in 1927).
2. TUCKING MILL
Drop down steps and turn right along the mill stream.
This hamlet lies on the Midford Brook and was a key point on the now disused Somerset Coal Canal. Its other claim to fame is that from 1798 to 1810 it was the home of William Smith, an English geologist, known as the “Father of English Geology” who created the first nationwide geological map. He was here working on the Somerset coalfield and the canal. Whether he lived at Tucking Mill cottage or the main house is rather unclear.
From 1883 until the end of WWII Tucking Mill was the site of a Fullers Earth Factory.
After crossing a footbridge go up and pass handsome Tucking Mill House. Soon go right on the marked path and up into a field. Follow the right edge, climbing a little more. When you drop down you will see you are alongside the Midford Brook. Go through a KG and continue on following the stream. Then you have to turn up left to a KG. Once through just continue on in Midford Vale following the course of the brook. Go through a gate and on, this time with the hedge on your right. Eventually head up towards barns at Marksbury Court farm.
3. FARM
Follow the arrow which goes up left and then immediately left again and up. Go through a Bristol Gate and right down the track, above the barns. Exit onto a lane near the farm entrance. Turn left. Shortly, go right through a pedestrian gate and along a track and into a field.
4. FIELDS
Once in the main field, you are aiming for the top right corner. There are a couple of options but the best is probably to head diagonally up across the centre. There are good views back across Marksbury village and to the hill fort. A KG in the corner leads to a path under trees and into a field. Turn right along the edge, staying in the field and ignoring two openings on the right. Just follow the edge all the way round. Drop down eventually and in the corner take the path on the right and go through a KG and down steps into a field.
The right of way cuts off the left corner so head across to an opening on the far side, not too far from the left corner. Cross a footbridge and now you face the steepest climb of all. Head straight up the grass, cross an avenue of trees and continue up to the top and a KG.
In the next field, our way is ahead along the right side and just before the farm turn left in the field and go round to a KG. Go along the edge with barns right and continue to a KG in the corner. Head across to another KG. Go across the end of the field to a KG onto the farm drive.
5. FARM DRIVE
Turn left and follow it all the way to a lane. It’s left here.
6. T-JUNCTION
At a T-junction our route goes right on the road. Stay on the road for about a third of a mile. Look at the house stone wall on your left which has a number of ammonites. Continue on to a crossing footpath just past Nutgrove Farm and take the track left. Come into a field and follow the right edge eventually reaching Lord’s Wood where you join the Three Peaks Way.
7. LORD’S WOOD
This is a lovely wood and a good contrast from the open land you have been through. The wildflowers include bluebells and foxgloves. Stay on the main track as it bends right and at the foot, where it may be a bit boggy, go ahead crossing a stream to a lake. There, turn right along the edge and then left and go uphill further into the wood. Stay in this direction and at the top, at a junction of tracks, keep straight on. Eventually come out through a KG onto Birchwood Lane.
8. BIRCHWOOD LANE
Turn right. After passing Birchwood House it becomes a track straight on. There are very pleasant views as you continue. Come down to a footbridge on the left. Cross and turn right in the field joining the Two Rivers Way, passing a derelict house on the right. In the corner go out through a KG, over a footbridge, and on into the pretty hamlet of Woollard.
9. WOOLLARD
Turn left. There is a welcoming seat by the River Chew. Cross the river and then, shortly, take the first right, Woollard Lane, and immediately right again, still on the Two Rivers Way which we follow from now.
10. TWO RIVERS WAY
Pass an alpaca farm and at a Bristol Gate ahead leave the lane and go straight on through into a field. Follow the fence up. Now simply keep straight on, climbing, ignoring side paths, go through a KG and after about half a mile the fenced path, which has levelled out, goes down to a wood – a renowned bluebell wood.
11. WOOD
Take the path as it descends through the bluebells and comes out through a gate into a long field by the River Chew. Bear left across to the river, cross a footbridge, and follow the Chew’s edge. After a metal gate, soon come to a beautiful spot by a converted mill and a seat by the water.
Turn right at the side of the mill house and go ahead towards stables. Turn left up over a stone stile into the churchyard where a sign welcomes walkers to visit St Mary’s. Go past the church and round to leave by the lychgate. Then it’s out to the road in Compton Dando and the Compton Inn.
