Rule Britannia

Sat 3rd May ‘25. DH, RW, TO, PCL, PC, DL, Scrumpy, Albus & Maisie

It has been another warm week so it was decided to instigate our summer hours routine and start 30 minutes earlier than normal this week. Our RV was at 0830 on the roadside by Castle Garden Centre in Sherborne for a walk south of the town followed by breakfast at the Brittania pub. Just one car each from Wincanton & Ansford/Bruton this week and although it was a slightly cool morning, the forecast was for it to warm up through the day. There was a mix of those who trusted the forecast and others more cautious so clothing ranged from shorts for some to long trousers and coats for others.

We set off on time and entered the large field known as Purleiu Meadow and took the middle track across the large field. This is clearly Sherborne premier dog walking spot and there were already quite a few out this early in the morning. Maisie had a quick run around and over to some other dogs , but Albus and Scrumpy took a more leisurely approach to the morning walk and stayed close at hand. At the far end we exited through the metal gate and turned left up the hill to cross the main road, used by many as a bypass to the Dorchester road. We had a short delay as we timed it just as a long stream of traffic approched but once over started the climb up Gainsborough Hill, through the deep natural cutting through the sandstone rocks. 

This path was one of the main tracks into Sherborne years ago and was the route up to the towns gallows which attracted hundreds of people, Throughout the country, 7,000 men and women were executed on scaffolds, often watched by excited crowds. For centuries public executions were one of the most popular forms of entertainment, and Sherborne had its fair share. These spectacles attracted eager audiences and people flocked to watch the condemned writhe in agony at the end of a rope. Gallows Plot, which is high above the terraces playing fields on Gainsborough Hill, was where the hangings took place. Hawkers joined the throng selling their wares to the spectators, many of whom would have been drunk on cheap gin.

Once up the steep hill the flat area known as the Terrace Playing Fields stretch across the area of Dancing Hill. The large expanse of pitches are home to Sherborne Rugby Football Club, Sherborne Town Football Club, Sherborne Cricket Club, Sherborne Tennis Club, and other local football clubs. The Sherborne Town Band also has its practice hall on this site. There are currently 2 senior rugby pitches, 3 senior football pitches, 3 junior football pitches, 1 mini football pitch and 8 tennis courts.

The path turns into a tarmacced road at Gainsborough Hill Cottage and then follows the walls of the castle grounds as it climbs again. This area of the castle estate is really seen by visitors to the spectacular castle who come from all over the world, attracted to its outstanding collections of art and furniture, connection to Sir Walter Raleigh and to admire Capability Brown's landscape. Sherborne Castle remains the family home of the Wingfield Digby family. It was a slow and steady climb which actually felt steeper than the previous weeks climb onto the Mendips, but after a couple of brief stops we made it to the track junction at the summit of todays walk.

Once refreshed and excessive clothing was removed as required, we turned right and made our way along a tree line avenue known as Lovers Walk, with views opening up to the south and the ridge of hills which mark the bottom of the Blackmore Vale. At the end we dropped down to the busy A352 at the junction with the A3030, opposite Westhill Lodge, one of the toll houses around Sherborne operating under the guidance of the Sherborne Turnpike Trust, founded in 1807.

We safely negotiated the road and took a right down a minor road which runs across the top of Lillington Hill. The roadside verge was covered in white flowers and there was the occasional smell of garlic as we made our way alongside Honeycomb Wood. After a couple of hundred meters we took a right turn onto a small footpath/track and started our decent back towards Sherborne. The ladt time we came this way, we had followed a quad bike distributing food to the game birds chasing after it, but today all was quiet as we made our way to a stile and into a large open field.

Once everyone was over the stile we paused to partake of our weekly confectionery and to grab this week group photo, with the town just visible in the distance. Pete took the opportunity to take out his bag and doggie snacks and managed to get all three dogs sat at his feet waiting for their treats. The sky was clear and we stood for some time taking in the view and picking out buildings and churches in the town. For those not aware,

Sherborne's name comes from the Old English 'scir,' meaning 'bright' or 'clear,' and 'burna,' referring to a brook or a stream.

We could see most of our route through the field so stayed high along the side of the wood before turning down to the end of a hedge line which just stopped in the middle of the field. On previous walks the bottom half of this field has been the same grass as the top half but today when we got to the edge of it, it was planted with corn having been ploughed previously. There was a slight path through the few inch high crop which we followed down to the left side. The ploughing had brought a lot of large and smaller stones to the surface and it took a lot of concentration to avoid stepping on a stone and risking turning an ankle. As the slope levelled out a bit, the going got slightly easier so we were pleased when we reached the field corner and could creep along the edge to the stile out of it. Along the way Richard spotted an interesting looking stone, which may be part of an ammonite. If only our rock correspondent was with us today to give us a positive ID.

We dropped down into a small sunken track and out onto the Yetminster road, where we turned right and headed back towards the sports fields. A slight delay as we waited for a suitable gap in the traffics then onto the footpath around the fields, heading towards the beacon, which was already loaded with wood and waiting to be lit on Thursday as part of the VE 80th celebrations. It was good to get under the shade of the trees as we made our way along the wide avenue above the bank down to the road and river, known as The Slopes. After we rejoined the Gainsborough Hill path we dropped back through the steep sided cutting and back down to the road. At this point the two drivers split from the rest and crossed the meadow again to collect and move the cars, whilst the remaining group and dogs went straight to the pub to check in for breakfast.

Back at the cars I stopped the clock just short of the two hour mark and recorded todays distance walked as 3.76 miles with over 100 meters of climb. We were slightly delayed on our way round to the pub as we had to wait for 5 minutes whilst a west bound train came into the station, but we easily found parking spaces within 100 metres or so of the pub and were soon joint the others at our table.

Oon our previous visit in February the place was heaving but today we were the only ones sat in the lounge area. The young waitress soon came to take orders and with their being a limited choice of core breakfast, but a range of well priced additional items, hardly any two orders were the same. Our drinks came out very quickly and the good plates of breakfast quickly followed. Everyone was soon stuck in and with second mugs of tea taken by those with the largest breakfast, it was another good quality, value for money morning enjoyed by all.

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