Saturday 12th April ‘24. DH, PC,PCL, DL, JB
It was the last week of the Easter fortnight and only 50% of the team were available today, but as all had not yet been up the old S&D line out to Shepton to the Windsor tunnels, I though today would be a great opportunity. As such we met down in the old bowls of Shepton Mallet, where Phil being the loner Bruton & Cary rep today, had arrived slightly before the Wincanton four, had already decided he would start walking the route. Thankfully with the sun out for the first time in a few weeks and some low reflections he was spotted in the distance and called back into the fold whilst we got ourselves sorted out. A short debate about the need for a coat was soon answered with half wearing and half not ( if that’s possible with just five) as we left the cars and headed up towards the small bridge which carries the road into the cemetery. After the morning exchange of pleasantries, or ribbing for some, the talk was soon going round about not knowing this part of Shepton even existed, as it sits quite a bit below the old Bath road, and how small some of the cottages were. By the old chapel we turned left up Gold Hill and started the first of todays steep climbs. As we passed the last cottage and started to level out, a right turn took us up some steps and out into the fields well above the town.
We reached the old railway line and to our right the pathway over the Bath Road viaduct was fenced off, although looking beyond it there were signs that a new tarmac path has been recently laid, hopefully it won’t be too much longer before we are able to walk across it. We headed away from Shepton on the steady climb up to the Mendips and I took the opportunity to inform everyone of the work carried out in recent times to improve this section of railway for walkers and gave a quick insight into the use of the two tunnels. I will not repeat myself here but for those interested there is a lot more about the history of Shepton and the railway line on the write up from that earlier walk here.
As we dropped down to cross the first minor road we could see the walls of the former road bridge and were amazed to see the size of the tree that had gown in amongst the stones at some point. It has now been felled but with an acute cut through the trunk it must have been growing at a strange angle. The path the far side of the road has been steadily improved since we first walked this route and is now tarmaced to the S bend where the pathway switches lines and the multitude of fences on the national equestrian training ground of Rosamund Green Farm were been ridden around by at least one horse and rider. Rounding the bend the group got their first view of the tunnel and the cutting through the hard Mendip rocks required to even get to the tunnel entrance. It must have been quite a job getting through all that rock, but what is left now in an area almost excluded from any sunlight, is a jungle like array of mosses and ferns as they grow in any available space on the cliff walls.
We stopped before entering the tunnel for Pete to take this weeks Groupie and then slowly entered under the rusty sign for Windsor Hill tunnel. There have been new reflective boards added to both sides of the walls but still no lighting as yet. However with the aid of phone torches we were able to see the construction of the archway overhead and the many damp patches where small amounts of water seep through.once out at the far end we took a short step to the right to look at the entrance to the currently closed tunnel. It’s is known that the northern most tunnel does have a bend in it to stop any direct view through, but what else lurks in the dark depths is anyone’s guess.
We pushed on along the path way here it looks like the gang laying the tarmac must have had a few sherbets as there are more kinks in it than the group which sang the 1960s hit ‘The dedicated follower of fashion’ .
After just a few minutes we reached the top of the next viaduct over the top end of Ham Woods, where we attempted to reach only a couple of weeks previously. Recent works on top of the bridge have included replacing the solid iron grids in the viewing gaps with smart panels attached to the stonework with fancy brackets, depicting all types of animals, some definitely not native to this area. At this point with time on our side I offered the chance to either turn around and retrace our steps, or drop down on a steep and narrow path into the valley bottom. Thankfully it was a unanimous decision and so very carefully we made our way down the slippery path, clinging onto trees where we could. I think there was only Pete who momentarily ended up on his backside as we regrouped again at the bottom by the small stream running under the bridge and on down the valley.
At the bottom a small stream appeared dwarfed by the viaduct as it ran off down the valley. There were a few tracks criss-crossing the area and we headed in a generally eastward direction past a couple of old brick buildings and even a couple camping in the middle of the trees. we moved through a large open area, obviously a gathering area for the youngsters as unfortunately although there were large bins provided, the area was strewn with empty cans and remnants of fires and BBQs. under the steep cliff face we arrived at the bottom of a large flight of steps which would take us to the top of the quarry area. It was a case of engaging low gear and starting at a steady pace, holding on to the handrail where we could, The fittest stormed ahead whilst the no so able brought up the rear, but after just a few minutes we all made it to the top in pretty good shape.
After a quick regroup we skirted around the edge of the field. now well above the height of the tunnels and with terrific views to the south and west. even Glastonbury Tor looked small and well below us for a change. We exited the field onto a minor road and headed down Rubble Lane, a wide well used track which took us down the far side of the equestrian training area we had previously seen. Thankfully the ground had dried out well in the last few days and apart from a couple of minor muddy areas it allowed us to stretch our legs on the downhill gradient. We joined another minor road and turned right and dropped even more height as we entered the old area of Bowlish close to where we had parked only a few weeks previously.
Turning left in front of Old Bowlish House, a rather grand 400 year old Grade II* listed house built at the centre of the Shepton cloth industry by a wealthy clothier. We continued up a narrow lane by the rear of some equally old properties no doubt used by the cloth workers before entering a small path through the fields by the source of the power, the river Sheppey. Although there was a sign warning of Alpacas there were just chickens and the odd horse to be seen in the fields as we came to the residential area of Draycott Road. There were a few large old properties by the river which were overshadowed by blocks of flats on the other side of the road. Of particular interest to Pate was the Old Masonic Lodge, once a mill, then home to an order of nuns and now a desirable Bed and Breakfast location. Todays walk was a little over 3 miles and completed in 1hr 40 minutes, leaving just enough time to drive up to the Tesco car park and then walk down the High St to the Hive for breakfast.
Two of the smallest t-pots I've ever seen came out, initially I though we even had to share one between two, but thankfully a couple of more were delivered to the table. then not too long to wait this week before a combination of full breakfast, vegetarian and even muffins and smoked salmon were delivered with some good banter from the staff. All the time whilst Phil ate he seemed more concerned about the size of zip he had orders to buy for his good lady to finish off their window seat cushion at home than anything else. Overall another good morning out and nice to be able to take folks on a walk they have not completed before.