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MENDIP TIMES
Beckington walk
AN easy New Year circle in East Mendip going through the wonderful parkland of Orchardleigh near Frome. It starts at the old village of Beckington and then drops down, crosses the River Frome and heads through fields to Orchardleigh. Then we follow the drive past the house and golf club with fine views over the estate. Walking is mainly on good paths, but there are quite a few stiles – most of them ok for dogs. We do have to retrace our steps over one short section. There is a popular café deli, Mes Amis, and the 16th century Woolpack Inn in the village centre. At the end is my alternative loop in Orchardleigh taking in the unique little church on an island and then going round the edge of the lake. But only attempt this in dry conditions or if you have wellies as there is a 20-yard section that is very, very muddy!
PARK: In the centre of the village near the Woolpack. The village streets are wide so there is plenty of parking.
With Sue Gearing PAGE 46 • MENDIP TIMES • JANUARY 2022
Beckington is architecturally a very attractive village, steeped in history. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Preindustrial revolution, it became a place of some significance and wealth as a result of the wool trade. Evidence of the clothiers' importance can be seen by the clothiers' marks in the church and by the large houses in the village main street. Along the side streets are old stone workers' and artisans' cottages. START: From the Woolpack, cross Warminster Road and go up Bath Road (not well signed). Immediately pass a house called the Malt House and continue up with Beckington Motors on the other side. Pass Mes Amis café on the right. Continue up a little more and take the first turning left, Mill Lane.
1. MILL LANE Follow this along and drop down all the way to just before a bend and a B&B sign. Here leave the lane and take the public footpath track which bears up left. Go through a large metal gate and then another gate and start to get good views down right over the River Frome to Orchardleigh. Leave the concrete track as it bends right and go straight ahead down to a stile. Follow a short fenced track, go through a kissing gate.
2 and 8. BECKINGTON LOOP Reach a sign for Beckington Loop where we return later. Now go straight on through the metal pedestrian gate and along the bottom edge of the field to a stile. Follow the path through woodland and alongside a pheasant enclosure. After another gate carry on along the grassy swathe to a stile at the end. Cross onto a drive leading to an
industrial unit and go straight over to a stile. Then follow the hard track along. As it bends right, leave and go ahead to gates and fencing and a stile. Cross this parklike field and bear over to the right, going over a stile by a gate. You have joined the long distance path, the Macmillan Way. Go over a crossing track and head to the other side of the field. There is a pill box over right.
3. RIVER Cross a footbridge and then bear over right to a stile in the field corner onto a small lane. Cross to the footpath opposite over a stile. Reach a marker post where you return later. Go ahead (not left) still on the Macmillan Way. Pass a large oak tree on your left and continue on. Pass another splendid oak. Reach a drive and go straight over. There is an attractive bridge on the right. Arrive at a crossing track and turn right all the way, through a gate to a lane. Follow it left uphill. 4. LULLINGTON Come into the pretty, tiny village of Lullington and turn left. You may like to go straight over and visit the church, but our route stays left, passing the village pump on your right. Soon go by Gloucester Farm and on the bend, go ahead into a field (not left) and follow the left hedge straight on. Further on, continue to follow the left edge, and carry on into another field. Maintain direction, climbing slightly all the way until you cross into the golf course at Orchardleigh.
5. GOLF COURSE Take care as you follow the arrow across, between two mounds and further on pass a pond left. Pass Tee 2. Reach a marker post on the drive.
