u3a Walking Group - 2022
Details, Maps, and Photos, of walks in 2022
Click the photo and map for larger view.
Autumn 2022
Priddy November 2022
Start / End … Priddy Green…BA5 3BB (ST.527509)
Just under 4 miles….. 2.5 hours approx.
It is a completely different route to the one I led on the 5th October.
Coming from Wells this postcode will take you to the village green, passing the sign to the Queen Victoria pub on your left. Parking is random. There are numerous “on road” opportunities near the green, or perhaps at the closed pub, also near the green.
This village lies some 800 feet above sea level and the circular walk will take you through fields, track and road with one moderate climb towards Deer Leap where we will stop for a short break about halfway. From this stunning vantage point we will have sweeping views south across the Somerset Levels (weather permitting)! There are a couple of stiles on the route.
Sherborne Deer Park, November 2022
This walk is slightly longer than our usual walks at 5.5 miles, but we will have at least two good stops for you to rest en-route, so bring plenty of drinks and snacks to keep you going.
The walk begins with a somewhat steep climb and then a further longish climb before entering the woods. After that it’s more or less level with some downhill walking.
Good views and beautiful ancient oak woodland and deer park.
Burnham November 2022
Start Apex Park, Highbridge TA8 1LT
Approx 30 minutes drive, 17 miles from Street.
There are public toilets in the free car park, and most probably a mobile café/snack van.
This is a flat walk of about 3.6 miles
As you know I do my best to find different types of walks, so I am offering this one along the “sea front”
We start in Apex Park, Highbridge, and walk alongside the lakes of the park to the estuary of the river Brue. We then take the England coast path to Burnham on Sea where we can enjoy fish and chips from the “Esplanade” (next to Wetherspoons). We return along the beach, continuing along the estuary bank for a distance towards the A38. We progress back through the park and onto the old railway (now cycle route) to the start and the snack van.
Street October 2022
Start /End … The King Alfred, Leigh Rd. Street BA16 0HB
Just under 5 miles, aiming at 2.5 hours
Another walk close to home.
This walk consists of a mixture of fields, woods, tarmac, two stiles and some cattle. There is a reasonable, steady incline up and along Collards Hill.
We initially take a lovely meander through the Millfield site admiring the autumn colours and the immaculate acres of lawns, before heading towards Butleigh Wootton and then turning in the opposite direction to Sandra’s walk (which started at the Bear Hotel) taking a southerly loop to approach Collards Hill. We admire the extensive views returning to Street via Marshall’s Elm with a final jiggle through a maze of back ways of the housing estates.
Priddy October 2022
Start /End … Priddy BA5 3BB 10.15 for 10.30 start
We start this good circular walk from the highest village in the Mendips. Our cars will have done almost all the climbing!
It is a route recommended by Sue Gearing who is well known for her books on walking in Somerset.
I did a recce yesterday and it is mostly field walking with some stony sections requiring your concentration to avoid trips. A couple of short steady inclines and descents and several old stone slab (and other) stiles.
We cover an ancient landscape including barrows and evidence of lead mining. The area is now the base for caving groups.
Street September 2022
Slightly longer than usual around 5 miles and about 2.75 hrs depending on weather and pace, rest stop etc.
Start /End … The Bear Inn, Street, BA16 0EF.
This lovely walk is mainly on public footpaths and public tracks….However, unusually, we are fortunate that we can complete the circular walk by crossing some private farmland with permission (gained by Sandra) of the land managers.
You will likely encounter some cattle in a couple of fields. The route is completely flat with excellent views of the Tor in particular. The direction is towards Butleigh.
Charlton Adam September 2022
Approximately 4.25 miles and about 2.5 hrs.
Start / End … The Fox & Hounds, Broadway Road, Charlton Adam, TA11 7AU
This straightforward circular walk of 4.25 miles is predominantly flat, with one short stretch of downhill which is single file and a bit ‘tricky’ so recommend walking poles but the views at this point are spectacular overlooking ‘The Gallop’ where race horses are trained and Somerton…… so will stop here for our break as it is literally halfway.
The terrain is tarmac, gravely/stony paths, and fields.
Summer 2022
Burrow Mump August 2022
Approximately 4.25 miles and about 2.5 hrs.
Start/End … King Alfred Inn, Burrowbridge, TA7 0RB (or Burrows Mump car park)
This straightforward circular walk of 4.3 miles is all flat, with one really short bank to get up (easily?)… Except…….we will climb up to the top of Burrows Mump first…. for the views. Quite steep and not a great distance.
We then follow tracks and paths with no stiles and several “Bristol” gates. There is not a great deal of shade if it is sunny. Walking boots are probably best.
Wookey July 2022
Start/End at the Wooley Hole Inn car park
We start off flat, then moving to a slight incline and a small wooded area, across fields to a steep climb up the Mendips but at your own pace. We then descend back to Wookey Hole, completing a circular route
There are four tallish stiles and the terrain is quite rocky in places. Walking poles and good boots are advised. This is a challenging and rewarding walk led by Elaine who has a lot of local knowledge that she will share with you.
En-route, we will go through “Split rock quarry” where films have been made.
Ashcott June 2022
Start/End at the Ashcott Inn
The walk is a circular one which I did today (as a geo-caching walk) and I recommend suitable clothing for nettles and overgrowth. There are a couple of slightly difficult stiles and I will carry my secateurs because brambles may re-grow in a few places by next Wednesday.
However…The majority of the route is on tracks and tarmac. There are some small gradients but pretty flat overall.
Cheddar June 2022
I have reccied the route and found it ok.
If it should rain then a section of the route could become muddy so I recommend waterproof boots. There are a couple of standard stiles, and few “Bristol” gates to step through enjoyable and varied. It is a level walk; mainly on gravel tracks with a couple of fields, and offers great views of the Mendips and Cheddar reservoir. We will walk a section of the reservoir and the “Strawberry Line”.
West Pennard June 2022
There is one steepish hill over a field near the start of the walk then a flat mixture of tracks and tarmac until a steady decent to complete the circuit. The elevation provides excellent views of the surrounding countryside, the Tor, Glastonbury festival site, etc,
There are no stiles.
We will stop about half way round for a banana break.
Wells May 2022
Start and finish from the Bishop’s Palace entrance, Wells. We will walk along the moat to Tor Hill Woods and take the East Mendip Way through to King’s Castle Wood. Then we pass the entrance to Sharcombe Park and go down to the lovely village of Dinder, returning though the recreation ground and across fields to the starting point.
There is one hill near the start of the walk on a good track, then a mixture of lanes and field paths which might be muddy in places. Sue Gearing in Mendip Times calls the walk ‘A good winter warmer’. 4.5 miles, about 2.5 hours walking
Maunsell Lock May 2022
This walk will build on the successful and enjoyable one we did on the 09th March 2022
We will take a different route which will be very flat. Another straightforward walk which I found very enjoyable.
We take an anticlockwise route passing through Northmoor Corner going north on tarmac/gravel paths and then fields to join the canal. Then we follow the towpath back to the start.
This route is 3.45 miles.
Shepton Mallet April 2022
The walk starts at The Thatched Cottage Inn, which has a large car park.
The first section of the walk of about ¾ mile to just north of the church is quite level. From the below the Church we wind our way through passages across the river and climb up the other side to reach the old railway track.
That is a fairly steep climb, but the next section back to the A37 is level and very pleasant.
Just before getting to the track is a good place for a break. We go down the track a short way before cutting down across fields to near the foot of the viaduct and walking back around to the pub.
The route is just under four miles.
