Walking DPS.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2021 14:37 Page 58
MENDIP TIMES
Along the brook side
THIS is a varied and fairly challenging circle from Crown Hill above Regil, near Winford following the Winford Brook, the busy stream of many mills that gave the village its wealth – mills making everything from gunpowder to snuff. Explore the old part of Winford and head parallel with the brook through fields, by a reservoir and then by a ford on the edge of Chew Magna. By contrast, we head up to higher ground up on Chilly Hill, Pagans Hill and North Hill. Walking is through fields, on tracks and quiet lanes and there is a mixture of uphill, flat and downhill. There are some fine views
With Sue Gearing PAGE 58 • MENDIP TIMES • OCTOBER 2021
across country. A stick could be helpful to deal with some of the summer growth.
PARK: On Crown Hill, at the Crown Inn, Regil, above Winford where Mendip Times walkers have permission to use the spacious car park opposite the pub which has been well renovated. It’s well worth popping in for a drink or a meal to top or tail this ramble. Check opening hours.
START: At the entrance to the car park take the footpath left up steps into a field. Head diagonally left uphill across to the corner, and find a metal gate somewhat hidden in the hedge. Go straight across the middle of this next field to another gate under a clump of trees leading onto a crossing track.
1. TRACK Turn left for a few minutes and turn right on the first footpath through another pedestrian gate. Follow the right hedge and near the end, go right through two gates into the field at the side. Now it’s left down the hedge and, at the corner, maintain direction down to another gate. Once through, carry on down to a Bristol Gate and stay straight on along the right hedge and round the corner. Near the next corner before a house, turn right through a gate. Follow the left edge round in this field. Opposite a farm reach a large field gate. Turn right on the lane and almost immediately left through a gate and through the farm. Continue on the farm drive to reach Frog Lane.
2. FROG LANE Turn right. Take care of passing traffic. Drop downhill and then join the pavement into Winford village.
3. WINFORD Cross to the Prince of Waterloo. To continue, go down Church Road at the side of the pub alongside the Winford Brook. Its Old Saxon name, Winfrith, could mean “a happy holy stream” which would have accurately described Winford Brook at that time. Earlier, this road would have been the village high street leading to the church and ancient manor house, now Court Farm. Reach the church which still boasts a fine 15th tower and baptism pool fed by the brook. Bend right over the brook and past the Court. The date over the door is 1593 but there was probably an earlier manor house which was mentioned in the Domesday Book. At the next corner turn left over a stile and follow the footpath under the aqueduct. It was a major feat of mid-19th century engineering – perhaps the oldest surviving work of its type in the country – which carries the main water supply down to Bristol from the Mendip Hills. Continue on through to another field until you reach Kentshare Lane. 4. KENTSHARE LANE Turn left a short way to Kentshare Farm, a classic 17th century William and Mary
