Walking DPS.qxp_Layout 1 22/04/2021 14:03 Page 51
WALKING
a right hand bend near the top, turn left onto the West Mendip Way and follow it along a track known as Scratchy Lane. At the end, at a T-junction with a track, turn left downhill. Soon follow it right and climb gently, coming alongside fields.
5. PLANTATION Reach woodland on the right, part of Christon Plantation and drop down. There will be some bluebells here but they get better as you progress. Ignore a track going left and just bend right, going downhill over very bumpy terrain, still with Christon Plantation on your right. At a T-junction with a track and a field ahead, turn right with the field left and woods right. Begin a climb and carry on to another junction by cottages. There is a great view here across to Crook Peak. Turn right opposite the second cottage coming alongside the southern edge of the plantation. It’s a steady but not difficult climb now on a rocky path until you reach the top and a junction. Here, turn up left on the West Mendip Way. Leave the WMW as it goes left. Just keep straight on and arrive at a gate into a field on the top. Head across with fantastic views in all directions, particularly down the Mendip spine to Brean Down and Flat Holm and Steep Holm. 6. SHIPLATE SLAIT On the far side of the field, head through a gate and follow the right fence on down in an area known as Shiplate Slait. The name comes from “Shiplade” meaning sheep path and “slait” which was a pasture and this area was described as “one of the finest sheep slaits in England” at the end of the 18th century. Go through a gate, and continue down a path which leads to a Tarmac lane/drive.
6.75 miles, about 4 hours walking. OS Explorer 153 Weston-super-Mare & Bleadon Hill, grid ref: 340 568. Postcode BS24 0PG
Follow it on down and bend round getting amazing views over the vast cider apple orchards of Thatchers Cider based in Sandford a few miles away to the north east. On these slopes the Romans used to grow vines. The orchards here of over 100 acres were planted about nine years ago with the aid of a GPS. The variety of cider apple trees includes Dabinett, Harry Masters Jersey, 3 Counties, Redstreak, Angela and Lizzie. At the foot reach the Bleadon-Loxton road. 7. FARM Cross over and on the right of the farm entrance go through a pedestrian gate and left along the fence, down and round the corner. Then join a path which soon crosses a plank bridge and reaches a field.
Follow the right edge of several fields, going through Bristol Gates. At the fifth gate where you have to go left or right, take the kissing gate on the right and bear diagonally up across the field to another gate. Join a path which goes along the side of the hill above the farm and takes you up into a field on South Hill. From here there are good views south and below you can see the River Axe. The river rises 20 miles away in Wookey Hole and before the construction of the sluice in 1802, the river was navigable for coal vessels and small craft as far as Cheddar. It also had important fisheries but these were ruined by poisoned water from the lead works at Charterhouse and chemical refuse from paper mills. Today, the cleaned-up river is once again favoured by anglers. The sluice has greatly minimised the risk of flooding. 8. SOUTH HILL Bear left up to a kissing gate and carry on along the side of the hill. At a crossing track turn up right then head on across left aiming for the tower of Bleadon church below. A gate in the corner leads onto a path which drops down, with steps, through another gate and comes out by Bleadon Church. Retrace your earlier steps through the churchyard, past the cross and to Coronation Road. Turn left back to the car park, or for the Queens Arms, turn right and then go on up to the pub which is on the left at the start of Celtic Way. Queens Arms, Bleadon: 01934 812080
MENDIP TIMES • MAY 2021 • PAGE 51
