5 minute read
Walking Sue Gearing
A magnificent hill fort with stunning views
FROM a hidden away, cottage pub at Churchill, this short circle is an ideal morning or afternoon walk in the heart of Mendip, going along the northern edge of Dolebury Hill Fort, to the Lookout viewpoint and gently ascending to the top. The views are stupendous, the air is magnificent, and so is the bird song. You may be lucky to still see plenty of bluebells and wild flowers in the woods. Take time to stop and enjoy. End the walk by refreshing yourself at the pub. There is quite a lot of uphill walking with some short steeper sections but nothing too difficult. After rain there may be mud in places. There are some stiles, but mainly kissing gates.
PARK: On the edge of Churchill at the Crown Inn. The landlady is happy for you to park in the car park if you plan to have refreshment there. Otherwise, please find somewhere nearby to park on the lane. The Crown Inn can be accessed at the Churchill traffic lights at the A38/A368 junction. Turn towards Weston and shortly go left at the Nelson Arms and find the Crown further up the lane on the left.
START: Take the lane (Skinners Lane) at the side of the pub.
1. MAIN ROAD
At the A38 cross, with care, and take the narrow footpath immediately opposite through a metal kissing gate. This leads into a field. Head across with the woodland of Dolebury Hill Fort on your right. Reach a rather unique low iron ladder stile set in lead in stone.
2. WOODLAND
Take the footpath going right which climbs and then levels out. At the path end, cross wooden rails and come to a footpath marker. Bend left walking along just inside the wood. Further on, follow the path as it drops down and continue to the end through a kissing gate by houses. Go up across right to a kissing gate with a Dolebury Warren sign. Turn up right on the track which soon bends and flattens out.
You will notice considerable clearance work along here, including felling of ash dieback trees.
The track rises. After several minutes at a bend, pass a dramatic dead beech (can you spot his foxy face?) and the path continues to rise.
3. THREE WAY FORK
At a three-way junction of tracks take the centre fork which rises. The track levels out. Eventually pass a stone wall at right angles on the right and continue for several more minutes.
4. THE LOOKOUT
Reach on the right a low wall which encompasses what is known as The Lookout – a “platform” surrounded by a wall here in the woodland of Dolebury Warren. This was part of the former estate of nearby Mendip Lodge, now in ruins. Guests to the lodge had a choice of walks and grottos on the estate including this Lookout, where from this raised open area they could relax and admire the view.
To enter, go up right and immediately left up small steps into the area where there is a bench. There are great views across Wrington Vale to Clevedon and across to Wales. Follow the path through the Lookout coming up to the flat “platform” area where trees now grow and go out the other side rejoining the track. Continue on this all the way to a gate onto a broad crossing track, known as Stony Lane.
5. STONY LANE
Turn right uphill, the track gets less stony after a while. Ignore the first gate and path on the right into Dolebury Warren. Start to go under large beautiful beeches. Take the next gate on the right joining a bridleway.
6. OPEN LAND
Head up straight across the open land. On reaching a gate on the far side, turn right and immediately left climbing up the wide grass swathe. Maintain direction across here, staying over to the right. Eventually reach a crossing track with a wood ahead. Turn right and follow this as it bends left, outside the wood. Carry on up, passing several hollows – the remains of former lead mining. Go through a big wooden gate. There is now just one more uphill to reach the outer east bank of the hill fort. Get some good views ahead on the left across to Crook Peak.
3.25 miles. About 2-2.5 hours walking. OS Explorer Map Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hill West, grid ref: 446 594, postcode BS25 5PP
7. HILL FORT
Enter the fort. This is a great place to stop and admire the views.
Dolebury Warren hill fort (also known as Dolebury Camp) covers 224 acres, owned by the National Trust, and managed by the Avon Wildlife Trust. It became a hill fort during the Iron Age and was occupied into the Roman period. The extensive fort covers 9.1 hectares (22 acres) with single or double defensive ramparts around it. It provides an ideal habitat for an unusually wide range of plants, attracting a variety of insects, including several species of butterfly.
Up ahead you can see the stony remains of the former Warreners’ hut.
In the medieval or post-medieval period, the hillfort was used as a rabbit warren to breed rabbits for their meat and fur. The warrener was in charge of the warren – his hut here dates back only to the mid-19th century. The warren here was a good
CORRECTION The Tucking Mill referred to in last month’s walk is near Monkton Combe and not the one near Compton Dando. Thanks to all who pointed this out.
secure place enclosed by the fort ramparts thus helping to prevent the rabbits escaping. Long mounds of earth were built to provide a home for the rabbits.
Take the path which continues on to the left and below the old hut and stay with it as it bends and then continues down the centre of the hill fort between scrub and bushes. Don’t stray over to the left.
8. WEST GATE
Join a stony path going out the west gate of the fort. It winds downhill, through a gate into the hamlet of Dolebury Bottom
9. DOLEBURY
Continue to the main A38. Go left onto the pavement and then immediately cross to the footpath opposite. Again, take great care on this busy road. Go up the path leading to a crossing track at the top – the old Bristol Road. Turn right and follow it down to the Crown.
