Pathways to the Priory

Walk information Distance: approx 6 miles Difficulty: easy-medium, Cross the rhynes and fields of low-lying North depending on fitness levels. Some stiles, and paths can get muddy so to see a medieval up close. This circular route wear suitable footwear. Duration: allow 2 hours is just a couple of miles – but worlds away – from busy Map: OS Explorer 153 Weston-super-Mare. Public toilets: Beach Road car park, Sand Bay

How to get there Continue on the path grassy track with hedges Start at map ref: 331646 and then go over the and trees either side. This (OS 153) little wooden bridge. bridleway can get very Car: The walk starts at Beach Road Turn right from the muddy. car park, the middle car park along bridge and head across At the end you will come out Sand Bay the field, towards a hedge onto Collum Lane. Turn left here on your right-hand side. There will and head towards Woodspring Priory. ark at Beach Road car park, be a gap in the hedge, and another halfway along Sand Bay, and walk wooden footbridge. To get into the priory grounds, go P round the stone cottages northwards past the tea shop, until you Go straight across the next field, come to Sand Farm Lane on your right. at the end of the towards another gap in the hedge, lane and through Walk to the end of this lane, go over a and another wooden footbridge. the metal gate. stile, and pass the unusual Head towards the farm building, turreted Sand Farm. and go over the next wooden Go carefully over the footbridge. Continue along next stile, which is the edge of the field, go slightly wobbly, and over the next wooden stile follow the footpath and through the farmer’s as it runs between gate on your right. Veer two fences. It is left over the field, towards slightly overgrown the farm buildings and track. here, so trousers are It can get muddy after rain, so advised. wear suitable footwear. Turn the corner in the path and follow Go over the wooden stile next to the it behind the fence around the corner metal gate, cross the rhyne, and of the field. continue straight ahead down the

16 Life July 2 01 2 Then cross a grassy field to get to the main building. Woodspring Priory was founded in 1210 by William de Courtenay, who was the grandson of Reginald FitzUrse, one of Thomas à Becket’s murderers. The priory flourished in the 15th century when the tower, nave of the church, infirmary and a great barn were built. In 1536, the priory was suppressed in the Dissolution and the church turned it Head across the field, towards the top into a house, with a chimney stack built right corner. The footpath continues in up through the roof of the nave. the corner, through a metal The Landmark Trust took over the care gate which leads to a of the building in 1969 and it grassy path with trees either renovated parts which had been side. ravaged by time. It is now available to This path becomes Foss book as holiday accommodation but a Lane. At a fork in the path, museum is also open most Mondays take the right-hand route and Fridays. and continue along here, To continue the walk, you will need to next to the rhyne. necessary to remain as visible as retrace your steps back to the lane. At the next fork in the path, possible to on-coming traffic. From here, you could follow National take the left-hand route, Elmsley Lane, This lane leads back towards the car Trust signposts and head up onto past the nursery. Follow the lane as it park, and your starting point. Middle Hope headland and complete winds round. a circular walk back to the top of Sand Woodspring Priory Museum is open Continue ahead when the road meets Bay beach, with stunning views across most Mondays and Fridays (except Lower Norton Lane, then turn right onto the estuary. Bank Holidays), between 10.30am Sand Lane. Traffic might be slightly and 3.30pm. If you want to heavier along here so take care, continue with the as there are no pavements, For more information call the inland, and cross the road where Landmark Trust: 01628 825 925 countryside route, return back up Collum Lane, past the bridleway you were at earlier. Start and At a crossroads in the finish lane just past the house, take the right- hand track into a field. The path bends round to the left, so follow this through another gate and out into a field. © Crown copyright and database rights 201 2 Ordnance Surve y 100023397 You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell this data to third parties in any form.

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