Wylye hilltops and historic churches
Updated: 41 minutes ago
Sat 19 September’26. DH, DL, JB
With just three of the Wincanton faithfuls available this week and Ralph giving it a miss as he’s taken up under 8”s football, I decided to venture to pastures new and stretch the thirty minute travelling guidelines to the limit, with a walk on the edge of the Wylye Valley. It was indeed thirty minutes after leaving Wincanton that we pulled up in the shared car park for the village Hall and primary school in the rather quaint Wiltshire location of Sutton Veny and prepared ourselves for our first walk over five miles for quite some considerable time.
As we left the car park we were given some gentle encouragement by a local old boy, who rightly perceived we were going for “a good old stroll this lovely morning “. Heading up the High Street we took the first left into Hill Road, which should have given some indication of what was to come! Turning a left corner, not only could we see on our right side a large circular fenced gallops area in the natural curve of Coombe with an all weather track leading up the side of a very steep hill, but as we looked along the road ahead of us we saw that we too would be climbing at about the same rate in just a few moments time. Coming so early into the walk, It was a slow and steady ascent by a couple of large properties as we literally progressed at a crawling pace up a good forty metres of altitude before we took a short, well deserved break at a small junction.
From here the road opened up as it climbed at a more steady gradient giving some great views all around us. To our north were the ancient hill forts of Scratchbury and Battlesbury, which I hope to combine into a walk soon. At frequent intervals we would put up a few partridge who either ran up the road or took flight into the corn or sunflowers that had been grown along the edge of the fields to provide them some shelter - that is until shooting time starts! As we climbed further the wind increased but thankfully for us today it was a warm southerly and actually made for ideal chalk down walking conditions.
As we approached the top of Haycombe Hill Farm we had risen almost 100 metres in just a kilometre and very much welcomed a flatter section up to the farm buildings. Although the farm looked occupied, the large barns beyond the gate had certainly not seen any ‘farming’ use for some considerable time. A good chalk and flint track stretched out in front of us and becoming closer with every stride was a large crane working at one of the hilltop farms which we had seen whilst driving over the A350 earlier this morning. Our pace was good and it was encouraging to hear the ten minute announcements from the Cyclemeter app, telling us that our average speed was increasing. In fact just before we stopped at a major track junction, we hear the announcement that we had passed the two miles point in just 47 minutes, not bad to say that we were now at the highest point of our walk at 215 metres. From here of course it would be all downhill with a change to stretch the pace even more.
As we turned to the north and started our descent, the vast wooded area of Great Ridge Wood could be clearly seen a mile or so away stretching eastwards along the ridge line and a row of trees provided some respite from the increasing wind. Thus far we hadn’t met met anyone else up on the hills so the sound of a vehicle behind us came as a bit of a shock. As it passed, a couple of barking spaniels gave us our first indication that there may be more folks on the hills today.
At a large open area of a track junction we saw many large piles of hardcore and ripped up tarmac, some of which had been used to maintain the tracks we were on, although it was a bit of a blot on the landscape. We continued scrubbing off the altitude and had to step to one side again as a couple more 4x4s came up the track. As we were just joking about boys in tweed and seated trailers full of beaters being next, lo and behold that is exactly what we saw coming towards us as we stopped for the group selfie as the track passed through a short section of woodland.
At the bottom of the hill we came across a very large equestrian cross-country training area, where two horses and riders were working their way around the multitude of obstacles and fences. A large area of barns and offices was out of bounds to walkers so we followed the right of way around the edge and down onto the minor road which runs up the southern side of the whole Wylye valley. To avoid walking up the road, and to see some sights we walked north towards Tytherington and came across an old Dovecot and barn in front of Ashebys Farm.
Just around the corner we came across the ancient church of St James, which was founded back in 1083. A large sign on the bank explained its history and climbing the steps cut into the bank we entered what is the oldest church in Wiltshire. Inside on the left was an old stone font and four rows of wooden pews each side of the central aisle led to a small alter up by the large leaded window. It was enough to take your breath away and yet again emphasises that we really don't know what we have within thirty minutes of home. We paused for a while and then returned to the back to read the plaques and signs on the wall, look at the twelve century rose window and to sign the visitors book. I for one would have been happy to stay for longer, but am certain we will be back here again before too long. For now we had to make our way back to Sutton Veny across fields which included a small flock of sheep that were sponsored by a local carpet company, how ironic!
As we approched our destination the church spire loomed above the village, but before we reached it we stopped at the ruins of the former village church of St Leonard's church. The new church was built after this original one, which had been built on very wet ground, started to move and subside. After the congreation left it in the 19th century, it fell into disrepair and today all that is left standing is the chancel. Normally this is locked, but today when we tried the door it opened and wow, a second amazing church with the last half hour.
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