Bower Hinton

Sat 20 Jun '26 DH, RW, PC, DL, JS, RC, PC, Scrumpy, Albus & Ember

Another bright June morning as we headed down the A303 for one last time before the chaos of the summer holidays turns the road into a mobile car park. The RV was the car park at Yandle's saw mill, and the Wincanton car arrived in good time to see that the car park was now signed down the South Petherton Road, although I still entered by the former gateway. The whole of the front of the yard as we knew it has been changed and the parking area is now a lot larger and further away from the café and shop. we got our boots on, the dogs on leads and waited for the Brutonians arrival. And we waited, and we waited a bit more! Eventually, through the new entrance, the trio of Clackson's arrived with Richard, having decided to take a quick drive further down the road to the Ranch café at the Parrett Works. Don't ask why??

Ten minutes later than planned and following the reintroduction of Robert and Peter, we set off towards the village before turning left by a patch of allotments and along a path by the side of a stream. The path entered a field and the dogs we happy to be let off temporarily. We had to get across to the southern side of the road for our next path and came across a small footbridge which would take us in the general direction we needed. unfortunately it was not a well used bridge and so we had to fight through the nettles before we could even get close. not a good day to be wearing shorts! However once across we started heading south along a track we have walked a few times in the past. as we made our way up, with all three dogs off the leads again, we noticed a young fox ahead staring back at us. it was not too worried to be faced by seven adults and three dogs and just sat on the track for a good thirty seconds before deciding it would be wise to get back to its den/mum. We turned off the path, into open fields and headed along a section of the River Parrett trail towards the reclamation yard and tall tower at the Perrett works.

Our route then took us eastwards back towards the residential area of Bower Hinton and through an orchard of mixed apple trees before we edged up the side of a horse enclosure and out into a small residential estate. Turning right once again we were now heading west again along Gaston's Lane and back out into the countryside. As we continued across fields of young corn the views to the north and west opened up. Veering to our left we were soon heading south with the houses and hospital of South Petherton getting closer on the ridge ahead.

Looking for the path that would take us back up the hill again, we noticed a couple sitting on a bench, and so at an obvious break in the corn crop, we turned left and started the climb up the appropriately named Cripple Hill.

It was only about a twenty meter climb, which the younger walkers simply took in their stride, but by the time we reached the couple and their dog, we were ready for a breather, and a chance to take in the view once more. We could just about make out the small knoll of Burrow Hill, just behind the cider farm where we had a good walk and lunch the other summer.

As we stood getting our breath back, JS started talking to the couple and managed to persuade them to take our group photo this week, which was much appreciated. Heading on again we could hear the traffic on the close by A303 as we arrived at the edge of the village of Bower Hinton.

I opted to take the track off Cripple Hill and through a farm yard so that I could show everyone the location of The Old Dairy Cafe and how it was a bit shabby chic and not suitable for a group breakfast. As we passed the farmers land rover he came out to chat and ask where we were walking from. I not sure who responded but when we mentioned Wincanton and Bruton, his eyes lit up and he said it’s an area h kn ll. further discussions revealed that he was a former pupil at Sexey’s and his daughter attended in more recent years. She was not a name I clearly remember but turns out she took maths with Phil and was in the same year as Rob. He continued chatting and revealed some old members of staff from his time, including a certain Rex Waller. Rich was not all all surprised and eventually discovered they may have been at school together, although not in the same year.

We eventually moved on after admiring the old farm house and crossed the main road to take a path down the rear of the village, including the Hollies hotel. The pathway crossed through a combination of well kept fields and a very unkept one which probably was home to some local horses, although we didn’t meet any of them. Eventually we took a track back onto the main road into an area called Hurst, which sits with indistinguishable borders between Bower Hinton and Martock. A short stroll down the road and we were soon back at Yandles, ready for some breakfast. The three and a half miles had taken exactly two hours, so we were ready for a sit down. We entered the cafe through the modified shop and luckily managed to find two small tables in the outside courtyard. Popping back in to place orders we gathered jugs of fresh water and waited for our drinks and food.

Once we had sorted out a water bowl for the dogs, we didn’t have long before good platefuls were delivered to the tables. Whilst most of us had the smaller options, Rob and Pete had ordered the biggest available, which with the toast almost filled a table on their own! Yet again another good breakfast from the Yandles kitchen, although with the holiday season on us soon, this will be our last trip down the A303 until September. Next week I’ll be on holiday in Norfolk with Ember so I’ll be leaving the group in Richards safe hands.

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