Crook Peak & ,

Starts at Roadside car park at foot of Crook Peak

2 hours 0 minutes | 3.9miles 6.3km | Moderate

ID: 0.1597 | Developed by: Edward Levy | Checked by: diane smith | www.ramblersroutes.org

This route takes the walker over Wavering Down and onwards to Crook Peak. There are good views for most of the way culminating with those from Crook Peak.

100 © Crown copyright and database rights 2014 Ordnance Survey 100033886 m Scale = 1 : 14K 500 ft

Main Route Alternative Route Point of Interest Waypoint

Distance: 6.30km Ascent: 282m Descent: 282m Route Profile 232

174

116

Height (m) 58

0 0.0 0.5 0.8 1.3 1.5 2.0 2.3 2.8 3.2 3.7 4.1 4.5 5.0 5.3 5.8 6.1

*move mouse over graph to see points on route 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 Roadside car park on minor road between Cross and Loxton, Somerset

Getting there Leave A38 at Lower Weare and follow minor road signposted to Loxton. The road skirts around the foot of Crook Peak and then runs along its side. The car park is found on the left going towards Loxton.

Route instructions [1] From car park, cross the road to the National Trust information board on top of a stone plinth. Follow the bridleway sign to the right to pass through a gate entering a path running along the edge of the hill. Follow the path which leads to the bottom of the ridge and path rising to Crook Peak. Cross the bottom of the ridge and then descend an initially rocky path that runs through trees. In a short distance there is a gate ahead leading to a road. Pass through the gate and follow the path and the lane to the T junction ahead at Compton Bishop and turn right here.

(A) Compton Bishop village was listed in the Doomsday Book of 1086 as Comtone. It was the property of Giso, Bishop of Wells. The parish was part of the Winterstoke Hundred.

Continue ahead for a short distance to a road junction.

[2] Take the first left here. This leads to a T junction by some cottages. Cross road at the junction and pass through a gate into a field. Follow the path that runs diagonally to the right to reach a stile in the opposite hedge. Cross the stile and continue diagonally to the right up the field. The path reaches a stile by a stone wall. Cross the stile, then turn right and follow the path alongside the fence on your right.

[3] In approximately 150yds, the path rises and then drops slightly. At this point bear left to follow path going fairly steeply up the hill (there is a waymarker pointing left on a tree trunk). Follow the steep path which runs diagonally to the right towards the top of the hill.

(B) The late , a well known comedian lived in the village of Cross which can be seen below to the left. Frankie named his home Wavering Down House and it remains little changed since his death in 1992. The Frankie Howerd OBE Trust was set up in 2008 and is based at the house. Charitable events and garden open days are held in the house from time to time throughout the year.

When nearing the top of the hill watch for a path joining from the left.

[4] Turn left onto this path and follow it as it contours its way around Wavering Down (the path is not marked on the Ordnance Survey map, but is clearly discernible although a little narrow in places with brambles, so take care here). The path will lead you to bear right at the far end of Wavering Down to meet the main path (West ) descending from the right alongside a fence.

Wavering Dwon may be very overgrown and muddy due to being used by horses and cows, especially in the winter months. If so, you may wish to continue up to the top of Wavering Down and turn left earlier onto the West Mendip Way to meet the main route at [5].

[5] Turn left on West Mendip Way and follow the path where a stone wall soon replaces the fence on your right. At the point where the path and stone wall make a left turn, Crook Peak which has been in view for some time will now be straight ahead. Follow the path towards it. As you approach Crook Peak you will notice that it has a rocky summit which if you go straight ahead requires a scramble to reach the top. To reach the top by an easier route veer to the right to attain the ridge on the western side of the Peak. Turn left up the ridge to reach the summit.

(C) There is no direction indicator on the summit of Crook Peak, but the view is extensive: East (C) There is no direction indicator on the summit of Crook Peak, but the view is extensive: East : Wavering Down, Shute Shelve with the Mendip Ridge going into the distance. South East: The village of Compton Bishops nestles in the fold in the hills below. shows clearly and in the distance the hump of Glastonbury Tor rises from the Levels. South: The stretch away with the Blackdown Hills showing in the distance South West: The M5 Motorway lies below, stands isolated on the levels with the Quantocks and Somerset Coast and Exmoor ranging out behind. West: On the opposite side of the M5 Motorway Hill rises followed by Down, the with the islands of Steep and Flat Holm to the distant Welsh coast. North West: The view is dominated by the town of Weston-Super-Mare. North: The town of Clevedon can be seen beside the Bristol Channel and behind the two motorway bridges crossing the Severn to South Wales.

[6] From the summit veer to the left and descend through the rocks. You will soon reach the distinctive path descending down the ridge. Continue to follow this path down until you reach the point at which you crossed on the outward leg. Turn right and follow the path back to the car park.

Acknowledgements Developed by: Edward Levy Checked by: diane smith Crook Peak seen from fields above Compton Bishop Photo taken by: Edward Levy

Crook Peak seen from contouring path on Wavering Down showing the ridge of descent Photo taken by: Edward Levy

Compton Bishop seen from path on way down ridge on final descent Photo taken by: Edward Levy