Breathtaking Views Around Bleadon

Take time out Walk Breathtaking views around Bleadon

This month, Life takes a circular walk on part of the West Mendip Way, including the village of Bleadon.

egin in the centre of Bleadon. There is At the far side of How to get there Ba public phone, public toilets and a the meadow cross Start at map ref: pub in the village. the stone stile and go straight across ST 341569 (OS 153) From the post box walk through the the field heading Car: churchyard and turn left up Old School towards a cream Reach Bleadon along Lane. Turn right onto the main building. Join the Bleadon Road, off road, and after a couple gravel track and the A370 south of of minutes turn left at follow it to the stile. Weston-super-Mare. the West Mendip Way Park considerately on marker onto a footpath. Turn right onto Roman Road. the roadside or at the Go through the metal After about eight minutes Village Hall gate and straight up you will reach a viewpoint Bus: through the middle of with far reaching views up Service 83 to centre the field, following the the Bristol Channel towards of Bleadon (112 and path. Clevedon and the Welsh 75 stop on A370) mountains beyond. This is Follow the West Mendip a good point to pause for Way marker and bear right. a drink or a picnic. The path splits after a few steps – take the left hand one up the Continue along the road hill. and at the corner follow the bridleway straight Enjoy the views towards ahead, descending Brent Knoll as you climb. between high Go over the metal stile, hedgerows. leaving Hellenge Hill, and enter open pasture. Go At the T-junction in the straight ahead, and after a path, turn right up a steep few steps take the left hand fork rocky track. in the path.

16 • North Somerset Life • JulyMonth 2013 Year Walk Take time out

the River Axe snaking through the fields. Pass through two more gates and join the road continuing downhill. After about 13 minutes you will reach a road. Cross it and climb the stile tucked behind the hedgerow. Walk along the left- hand edge of the field. Cross the wooden bridge with a wooden pallet as a gate and Walk information follow the line of telegraph poles ahead of Distance: you through a number of fields. about 3.5 miles Go through a metal gate into the Difficulty: farmyard passing a barn on your right. medium (some steep Turn right and head straight uphill. Go hills and a number through the kissing gate and wooden of stiles) gate, bear left and continue up. Traverse Duration: the left hand (southern) edge of the hill. allow up to 2.5 hours At the fork in the path bear right, gently which includes time At the top of the climb uphill and along the ridge towards Bleadon. for plenty of stops turn right along another You’ll glimpse the quarry on the left. along the way rocky track. After about 100m go straight Map: uphill, following the blue public Go through the wooden gate and drop OS Explorer 153 bridleway marker. down the steps towards the church. Pass through the pretty wrought At the end of the path This walk previously iron gate and along the path featured in the August go through a wooden between the houses. 2008 issue of Life. See this, gate and continue and all other walks from along the bridleway The churchyard is ahead the magazine, at www.n- diagonally across the of you. somerset.gov.uk/lifewalks open field. Take in the view along the spine of Brean Down towards Steepholm and head for the wooded area on the far side. Go through the wooden gate and walk downhill keeping both the woods and the wire fence on your right. Enjoy the views over the levels towards Brent Knoll and look out for

Start/finish

www.n-somerset.gov.uk • NorthSomersetC • NorthSomersetCouncil • 17