On a quiet Saturday morning in August, I decided to head out on one of our Foot Trails. This would be my first time hiking solo, so I was excited to set out for a little walking adventure.
I started my route in front of the village shop, resisting the urge to buy snacks for the trail. Heading down towards the river, I passed some surprisingly grand buildings on the way and an enticing country inn housed in an impressive building that used to be an old cloth mill. After a short spell on a quiet country road, my route soon took me off into the fields. Following the instructions on my trail card, I continued to wander through a number of fields, always keeping to the top edge, which afforded me some beautiful views over the river valley. I was instantly struck by the stillness and silence of my surroundings. Just myself and the rolling green fields around me. After a little while, I did run into some people, all locals out for a Saturday morning stroll and enjoyed exchanging pleasantries with them.
Soon, I descended from the top of the field into a picturesque village. Following a wonderful cobbled lane down to the river, I was soon greeted by a scene that looked like it hadn’t changed in centuries – an old stone mill next to the river and an ancient cobbled packhorse bridge. I stopped to take in my surroundings, the only sounds coming from the gently flowing river and birds flitting from tree to tree.
I soon left the village and headed back into the fields, where the path then took me into a small woodland. The sudden change in landscape was lovely, the ground springy underfoot and the air filled with the unmistakable scent of pine trees. Continuing onwards, I soon found myself again in fields in the company of sheep who were too busy grazing to really take notice of me. Then on to the pretty village of Farleigh Hungerford, home to beautiful thatched cottages and the magnificent Farleigh Hungerford Castle. Dating back to the 1300s, the castle is an impressive structure. It has largely fallen into ruin but still features an impressive gatehouse and outer walls as well as ruined towers, a lovely chapel and a priest’s house. This was my end destination, although the Foot Trail carries on for another five miles to the market town of Bradford-on-Avon. I, unfortunately, had to turn around and make my way back to the start.
Emma was out walking part of our Castle on the Frome Foot Trail.
