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WALKING
the remains of an old stone stile. Head diagonally down to the bottom left corner, passing four oaks over right in the field. In the corner a KG leads to a stony track.
4. TRACK Turn right and, not far along, go right over a stile and then bear diagonally left across the field (the same field you were in earlier with the oaks). Go through a kissing gate and go straight ahead across towards woodland. After another KG, drop steeply down into Harptree Combe. 5. HARPTREE COMBE Turn left in the combe, with the stream right. It can be a bit muddy for a while. Notice the steep rocky sides of the combe on the other side, on the top of which are the almost invisible remains of a former castle, Richmont Castle. It was originally owned by the cruel Azeline de Perceval (“the wolf”) and his equally cruel son (“the wolf cub”). It became a useful fortress during the Norman conquest of Somersetshire. It was held by Sir William de Harptree for Empress Matilda against King Stephen and, although seemingly impregnable, it was captured by the King. Fortunately, the castle was left intact. In the time of Henry VIII it was pulled down by the then owner, Sir John Newton. Continue down the combe coming alongside stone work channelling the stream into a leat. Bend round right, down steps and left along a path. Up right is where the water from Chewton Mendip comes in. Go along with huge stone buttresses on your right, holding the water. Finally come to the magnificent stone aqueduct with the water piped above. This is all part of the skilfully crafted line of works bringing water to Bristol from Mendip.
OS Explorer 141, Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West, grid ref: 557541, post code for car park BS40 6DA. 5.9 miles, about 3 hours walking.
6. AQUEDUCT Go under the aqueduct and on down the stream to the bottom of the combe, leaving through a KG. Note the magnificent oak tree ahead. Turn right uphill and along a broad hedged track. Cross a stile and head towards the church. Go up steps and through a significant stone squeeze stile, along a path at the side of the churchyard and out into East Harptree village. The beautiful 12th century church is well worth a visit.
7. EAST HARPTREE Go ahead, passing the Waldegrave Arms on your right and on through the village. Go on past the community shop, avoiding side turns. Over left is the wall of Harptree Court. Go through the de-restriction signs and at the end of an orchard on the right, take the footpath stile right into a field. Go up the right side of three fields until you come out onto a lane. 8. MORGANS LANE Almost opposite, turn up into Morgan’s Lane still climbing steadily. Reach Morgan’s Cottage ahead and go to the left. A few yards before the end, take a
pedestrian gate right and go ahead and through a gate into very pleasant Walker’s Wood.
9. WALKERS WOOD This is in memory of Mike and Carolyn Walker and has a welcoming seat. Go through the wood into a field then head up diagonally across, going through a gap in the hedge and across a streamlet. Up on the top is a Bristol Gate (BG). Once through head right, through another BG and now, on the level, follow the left hedge. Go left through a BG. Bear up across to the top right corner, near a large farm. (It can be a bit confusing with temporary fencing for horse paddocks). You may have to step over. Go up and then right across a footbridge. The path then heads across, bends up left to a KG onto a Tarmac drive. Turn right and soon reach Harptree Hill. 10. HARPTREE HILL Turn left uphill and find the entrance to the woods where you parked. The Waldegrave Arms, East Harptree, 01761 206859.
MENDIP TIMES • JUNE 2021 • PAGE 47
