Burrington Ham Somerset

Starts at Burrington Combe, North Somerset

2 hours 22 minutes | 4.8miles 7.8km | Leisurely

ID: 0.2697 | Developed by: GEOFF MULLETT | Checked by: Sarah Gettings | www.ramblersroutes.org

A delightful ramble on country paths and lanes, down to sleepy villages, then up, to splendid views from limestone grassland where in summer, you are surrounded by countless flowers and butterflies. Just one steady climb.

Main Route Alternative Route Point of Interest Waypoint

The Ramblers is Britain’s walking charity. We work to safeguard the footpaths, countryside and other places where we all go walking. We encourage people to walk for their health and wellbeing. To become a member visit www.ramblers.org.uk Starts at Car park at the top end of Burrington Combe. Grid ref. ST489581. Post code: BS40 7TZ

Getting there A38 to traffic lights at Churchill. East on A368 for two miles then right onto B3134 signed Burrington Combe. Continue through the combe for 1.5 miles to car park on the left.

Route instructions [1] From the parking area, take the narrow path to the right of the information panel and walk to cross- paths, ignoring a path joining from the left. Go through the gate on the right and walk with hedge on the right to a further gate. Go through and continue as far as a stile on the right.Don’t cross, but instead go half-left across the field to a stile (left of the large tree). Climb the stile and walk ahead (ignoring a stile on the left), picking up the left boundary with views of Blagdon Lake down to your left. In the far left corner of the field, climb a stile and follow the path to a road.

[2] Walk left downhill for a short distance, then cross to a grassy picnic area. Keep to the right hedge with picnic benches away left, and pick up a descending path, passing a disused quarry down to your right. The

path leads you past cottages to a lane, cross and continue on the path to reach a busy road. Cross with care and walk right to reach a gate on the left into an orchard. Walk down through the orchard to a further gate, then on to reach a tarmac cross-path by a small pond. If you are unable to access the Orchard, you can take the public footpath to the right through the kissing gate instead.

[3] You have a choice here, the route goes left, but you can detour right to visit Blagdon church.

(A) Augustus Toplady was curate here for a time from June 1762. He is remembered for the Hymn "Rock of Ages" that he wrote on the back of a playing card while sheltering from a storm in a cleft in a rock at Burrington Combe.

To resume the walk, go left through the gate, and continue to a further gate on the right. Go through and follow the elevated path beyond another gate to reach a road. Turn right down the road for a short distance, then go ahead into Garston Lane. Follow it round to the left and walk past houses until you come to a gate with field beyond. Go through and continue straight ahead, picking up the hedge on the right and going though an open gateway. Beyond, continue in the same direction keeping to the right boundary and passing through another gate. Walk a short distance further to reach a lane where you turn right.

[4] Follow the lane for almost half a mile, with the high stone wall of Coombe Lodge on your left. (Built in the 1930s, it now houses a company specialising in weddings and corporate training.) After the last farm buildings on the left, look for a footpath sign on the left and climb the stile by the gate. Cross the field to a gate on the far side, then continue ahead again to a further stile by a gate. In this field, aim for the white house, where a stile to its left gives access to a lane. Walk the length of the lane as it bears left, to reach the cluster of houses that is Rickford. Turn right to the ‘Plume of Feathers’. Suitably refreshed, follow the lane with stream on the left, passing the pretty ford then climbing to the main road.

[5] Beware of the blind bend to your right as you cross with extreme care, then take the right fork,

Burrington Lane, and follow it to Burrington village. Facing the church, turn left and follow the road, passing the village pound, to a

fork. Go left, climbing now to the brow of the hill where a bridleway sign directs you right, through an elaborate gateway into woodland. Proceed on the broad stony path passing to the left of a blue bridleway marker and climbing slightly. The path veers gently to the left and flattens out. On reaching another blue marker on the right side of the path, turn very

sharply right onto a broad grassy track so that you are doubling back on yourself. [6] Follow the track, climbing until you reach a limestone outcrop. From the top, you have a fine view south to Black Down and north to Dundry.

(B) Situated just north of Black Down and Beacon Batch, the highest point on the Mendips, Burrington Ham is frequently overlooked when planning a walk, yet its limestone outcrops give a dramatic vantage point and the flora and associated insect life make this a fine area to wander.

The last stretch now! Go back to the path and with the limestone outcrop behind you, turn right taking the immediate left fork. Walk for a few yards then fork left once more. The path narrows and levels out, bearing left; continue, eventually reaching a broader path. Carry on to a cross-path and here, go right towards the distant cottage. This descending path leads you to the car park (and ice-cream van at weekends).

Notes Refreshments: Pub at mid-point of walk, ice cream van at the end in summer.

Acknowledgements Developed by: GEOFF MULLETT Checked by: Sarah Gettings View over Blagdon to the lake Photo taken by: Geoff Mullett