Last week, David and I (Emma) were continuing our post-winter route checks now that the spring walking season is underway. This week, we were on an undulating hike just north of Bath that combined breathtaking views with a wealth of stories and history.
It was another bright day, not a cloud in the sky. This year, spring has been perfect for walking: dry, bright and breezy. Starting at the grand gates of a village manor house, we were immediately spoilt by a wonderful view, the countryside stretching off into the distance as far as the eye could see. We walked out of the village along quiet country lanes accompanied by daffodils bobbing gently in the breeze. It didn’t take long until we were surrounded by countryside. Farmland on all sides, and all we could hear were the sounds of livestock and birdsong, in particular the raspy cries of pheasants and the drumming of their wings as they took off in surprise as we passed them by.
Down we strode into a secluded valley, crossing streams and woodlands and passing farmhouses every now and then. We wandered along and then up out of the valley, pausing halfway to rest and eat a spot of lunch on a bench at a wonderful village church, certainly one of the best views I’ve had for lunch in a while!
For the next hour or so, we continued to explore the landscape while reading up on the local history in our trail cards (a Jacobean manor house, English Civil War battlefield and Iron Age hillfort just a few of the highlights). Our hilltop climbs were rewarded with magnificent views surrounding us on all sides. Towards the end of our journey, we stopped at another church, this one built in the 12th Century. Tiny and full of character and atmosphere, it was a real gem. The light through the stained glass windows, the ancient stone walls and beautiful carvings made this a wonderful place to end our walk for the day in this stunning corner of south west England.
If you’d like to explore this idyllic corner of South West England this summer, it’s not too late to book! Send visit our website or send us an email. We’d love to help you plan your next walking adventure.
