Moorwood

Saturday 17th June ‘23. DH, TO, DL, AC, PC, Sully, Scrumpy and Albus

To give Red Leader a bit of a break this week Phil volunteered to plan the route and offer to host breakfast (well more accurately asked his wife Claire if she would kindly cook for the group!). Despite being a little down on numbers and one of our number being a little sceptical of the location, remarking that they were ‘interested to see the sights of Bruton’ the rendezvous was arranged for 9am at the Godminster Cheese car park. Advice had been given to wear long trousers to avoid picking up ticks although one of us rebellious to the last chose to ignore this advice.

As the church clock bell struck nine we set off towards Durslade Farm, crossing the road under the railway bridge, through the gate and along the path next to Abbey Ponds and through the Community Garden to recrossing the road to Hauser and Wirth car park.

From here it was over the stile at the far end of the car park and up the hill to the top of the field, looking back down the field gave a fine view of Bruton with Creech Hill on the skyline. Going through the woods we then turned right at the next field and followed the field edge all the way around to the first gate on the far side.

Through the next gate we continued straight across the next field bearing slightly to the left through a gate and over a narrow bridge. At this point we were met by some very long grass (those with sticks and long trousers were grateful for both!) for the whole of a fenced in path which led into a small patch of wood and into another field. Here we were confronted by the first of several potential electric fences on this walk that blocked our way. Again the sticks that have now become de rigueur for many of us were at the ready to help duck, dive and hop over.

Next we turned left and follow the woodland field edge negotiating two more electric fences as we strolled on through this and a further field down to the corner of the woodland. Rather than attempting the broken stile we went through the gate to follow another field up the hill to another stile leading into a small wooded area. At the top of this hill sat a new house which had caused a discussion as we approached as to who might own it. Unfortunately with our collective dodgy memories we were none the wiser by the time we reached it!

Once over the stile and in the woods the path veered right. At this point we met a gate warning of friendly dogs but advising that should we be worried to ring a number and the owners would come and get them! Being dog-lovers we continued unperturbed through the gate and chatted to the dogs on the way, through an overgrown garden running next to a house that looked as though it was still in need of some renovation. This finally led us out onto the road know as Hardway.

Turning right along the road we soon took a gate on the left (opposite a farmhouse) with a fingerpost, onto a straight concrete farm track. Oddly this track seemed to cause some of our walkers to complain (a rare occurrence -cough) as they were worried picking up cow muck on their boots!

We continued through a further gateway moving a further rope obstacle and then a gap in the hedge. Here after the further negotiation of more single wire fences we turned right, realised we were the wrong side of the fence and retraced a few steps to put us on the right track along the field to Moorwood House.

Admiring the mix of roof types of the house we passed through the kissing gate and between the house on the left and a converted barn on the right to reveal a garden on our left with several interesting sculptures including a dragonfly and crocodile.

Continuing through a further gate beyond the house and along the old coach road we were led into an oak plantation. With the day now warming up the shade provided by the oaks proved welcome, particularly to Sully who was beginning to suffer a little in the heat.

Passing a fir plantation to the left and under further oaks we went through a gate to a layby on the B3081, directly opposite the entrance to Redlynch Park.

Crossing the road and turning right we walked a short distance before turning left at the Redlynch crossroads, walking down past houses on the right, and taking a metal gate on the right almost opposite St Peter’s Chapel.

Going along the right-hand field edge to a gate, bridge and further gate, we crossed our final electric fence of the walk as we passed a polytunnel and vegetable patches. Continuing in the same direction across the next field and through more tall grass views of Creech Hill opened up ahead.

Going through a gap at the end of the field, and down the right-hand edge of the next two fields we found the hidden stile in trees in the bottom right-hand corner.

Once over the small bridge and the stile we were on the home straight with views of Bruton ahead. Heading directly for the distant field gate at the bottom right corner of a large field (with Hauser and Wirth behind). We crossed to the Hauser and Wirth Car park to retrace our steps past the allotments and back to Phil’s for breakfast.

At this point we lost Deryck who was fascinated by the Lower Backway with its Packhorse Bridge. Hidden Bruton that he had never seen before!

Many thanks to Claire for her culinary efforts – much appreciated by all.