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MENDIP TIMES
Blossoms, bluebells and beautiful views
BLOSSOMS and bluebells feature on this circle from Bleadon – at its best in May/June. Bluebells are found in the woods up on Hutton and Christon hills and blossoms galore top the 100 acres of cider apple trees planted by Thatchers around Shiplate Slait. There’s a steady climb near the start up Hellenge Hill and then we head across a golf course and into woods before reaching Upper Canada. After a climb and a circuit round Christon Plantation the route takes us out on Bleadon Hill and then down Shiplate Slait to see the orchards below. Head across fields on the level and follow this with an easy climb onto South Hill which overlooks Bleadon village. Apart from the blossoms, there are great views to the
With Sue Gearing PAGE 50 • MENDIP TIMES • MAY 2021
south and across the estuary and good contrasts between the heights above Bleadon, the village itself, woodland and the flat land not far from the Axe. There is only one stile. PARK: In the free village car park just south of the church in the centre of Bleadon on Coronation Road. There are the halls here, toilets and a children’s playground. There is also an interesting information board about the history of Bleadon and the discovery of Bleadon Man, a replica of which is in the Coronation Hall.
START: Turn left out of the car park, passing the information board and toilets. A short way up here, on Coronation Road, cross and go over towards the church, passing the cross. Go through the churchyard to the right of the church. The Tarmac path bends left. Then turn left and go up to reach Shiplate Road. Turn right. After a few minutes, stay on the grass verge alongside the road (there is a lower residential road at this stage). Soon find a footpath signed up a drive left.
1. HELLENGE HILL At the top of the drive by Spindlewood go ahead through a gate on to Hellenge Hill, a beautiful open area full of wild flowers. A short way up, at an information sign and footpath post, fork right and climb gently. Continue to climb ignoring a path going ahead and reach a kissing gate. Maintain direction still climbing. At a fork, stay left. Start to enjoy great views over the River Axe across the Levels, to
Brent Knoll and over the Bristol Channel. Carry on as before going through two gates, and then head more steeply uphill towards the right hand end of the house up above. Go to the right of the mound at the side and head up to a Bristol Gate onto the road. 2. ROAD Turn left, soon getting glorious views south across the Levels and beyond. Continue for a few minutes, passing houses.
3. GOLF COURSE Reach the drive on the right leading to Bleadon Hill Golf Club, marked as a public footpath. It is just before a seat and small parking area on the right. Make sure you read the warning signs and stay on the footpath. Pass the golf club building and then head across the course following the well-defined track and going closely alongside a golf driving range. Here you need to take particular care. Simply keep following the track. Go down into a hollow, through a gate and carry on. Maintain this direction through gates and come alongside a wood. At the end of the field enter the woodland. The path goes straight on through the wood which should be a picture with bluebells, ransoms (wild garlic) and primroses in season. Carry on, soon dropping downhill.
4. UPPER CANADA Reach a T-junction with a lane in an area known as Upper Canada and turn right following the lane quite steeply uphill. At
