An area of steep fields and valleys where we leave the Cam Valley and enter the Chew Valley before starting to climb onto the Mendip Hills. 

 

Distance: 10Km

 

Transport: There is a small car park servicing St Augustine of Hippo C of E Church.  Larger number of cars may wish to park 285m along the road to the right, (Venus Lane), in the Village Hall car park by consent of the booking officer.  There are bus stops at the Church end of Marsh Lane and also on the A37 (513m to the west using the footpath across the field) where a regular bus service runs in both directions between Bristol and the Mendips.

 

 

The church at Hinton Blewett has a Norman font.  'Blewett' is a family name.  Because of the regular village plan it is possible that it was laid out deliberately and such planned settlements usually date from 10th to 12th centuries.  The green adjacent to the Ring O Bells pub is known as the 'Barbury' or 'forbury', a possible derivation of Roman Latin 'forum'.  Copper coins from the reign of Emperor Claudius (AD41) have been found here.

 

These villages are at the northern edge of the Mendips standing on a line of springs due to Carboniferous Limestone underground.  The heavy rainfall on the hilltop sinks down through the limestone to emerge as springs at the bottom. Historically the parishes were long and narrow, each having a piece on the flat, on the slope and on the top of the Mendip hills. The higher land was enclosed common land, used for sheep grazing and lead mining until about 200 years ago.

The name West Harptree comes from the de Harpetre family. The village has two manor houses of the early and mid-17th century, - Gournay Court and Tilley Manor House.

East Harptree has the more interesting church, complete with a monument to Sir John Newton (1505 - 1568). He is depicted in armour, lying beside his wife, Margaret. The two panels in front of the tomb depict his eight sons and twelve daughters. Up the combe behind the village was Richmont Castle, destroyed during the wars of Stephen and Matilda. 

Compton Martin takes its name from Robert Martin, the owner in the time of Henry 1. The pond was used until 1840 by a paper mill.  Here the River Yeo rises to flow via Blagdon Lake, Wrington and Congresbury to the Bristol Channel.  The church is the thing to see here and it is usually open. As you approach look up and see the Norman corbel table with its strange carvings. Inside, the aisle arcades, chancel and font are Norman and there is a curious 'twisted' pillar.  The 13th century effigy of Sir Thomas de Moreton has been restored. He held the Manor of Moreton, now under the Chew Valley Lake.

 

The fifth largest artificial lake in the U.K.  It was created in the early 1950's by flooding the valley and the village of Moreton. Opened in 1956 by Queen Elizabeth 11, it provides drinking water for Bristol and the surrounding area. Water flows into the lake from the Mendip Hills.  The lake has become a national centre for birdwatching and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA).  Owned by Bristol Water, it is a popular recreation area for fishing, sailing, birdwatching and walking. Much of the perimeter is accessible on foot and a project is underway to increase the footpath around the lake. 

 

[1] Just before Clutton church turn left through an old MKG and cross the field, over a stone bridge with MPG's on each end.  Walk across the field and through to the MKG.  The next section of the route is blocked so a short divert is necessary.  Walk straight ahead and to the left of the telegraph pole, (beware of rabbit holes and badger setts here). After the telegraph pole bear diagonally right to the corner of the field through the BG and meet the A37 main road.  [520m]

 

[2] Turn right and walk 50m along the pavement to the cottage on the opposite side of the road.  Cross the busy road with care and walk along gravel drive through a garden. Through MKG and walk ahead to the track and bear right.  Walk up the track with trees on your left.  At the top of the track bear right, cross the track and then walk alongside the hedge on the right of a large storage container.  [370m]

 

 

[3] After 125m find the MKG in the hedge, go through this and cross the mud track and through the MPG.  Walk diagonally left across this large field to the far left corner. Through MKG and walk along the bottom of the field to the corner, then turn right up the hedge a few metres and access two MPG's and into an open field. The route, with views of Cameley Lodge on the left, goes diagonally right, past the oak tree to the far right corner. Here the path goes through a thick hedge line with MKG's on both ends and a rough path to navigate.  [900m]

 

[4] If possible walk through the thicket ahead using the cleared path.  (If this path is overgrown with brambles, turn right and walk up hill). If using the path through the thicket walk to the crest of the hill and turn left. The next two fields are in a rewilding state which provides an abundance of wild flowers but also hides very uneven ground so extra care is required.  Follow the ridge of the pasture land to a MKG part way down the slope. Walk downhill across the next field to the left corner noting the ant tumps which can denote ancient pasture land.  Through WKG onto 'byway open to all traffic', Nanny Hurn's Lane. Walk down the lane to the road.   [1Km]

  

[5] Turn left and walk 200m along the lane to the first MKG on the right.    [200m] 

Here you may like to take a detour to Cameley Church.  If so don't go through the MKG but walk along the lane 500m to the Church.

 

[6] Once through the MKG turn diagonally right up the hill to the the MKG half way up the hedge. Through the gate and turn left. Walk towards the left of the trees at the top of the hill and then walk out across the field slightly diagonally right to the WKG. Cross the next two fields using WKG's. In the third field go straight ahead and through MPG, then across one more field and through the MKG to the road.  [1.1Km]

 

You now leave the Cam Valley which you have followed all the way from Midford.

 

[7] Turn right up the road taking the right fork and cross the road to the letter box. Turn left and walk in front of the Ring O'Bells pub. Keeping the pub on your right walk round the corner towards the church and round the left hand bend.  Follow the lane turning right at the next two road junctions. On the next bend is Prospect Stile, a lovely viewpoint with seating. At Prospect Stile the Limestone Link descends into the Chew Valley, past springs and hydraulic rams.  [1.2Km]

[8] Walk through the WKG and bear left diagonally down to a direction post. Turn right and take the steps and use the handrail down a very steep bank and through a MKG.  Across the field and through a MKG in the thicket. In the next field you may hear the hydraulic ram operating. Walk down hill keeping the hedge on the right and out through the MKG onto the road. Turn right and walk past the house and up the bank on the left. Walk through the MKG on the left and slightly left, across the field to the MKG. Walk ahead again across foot plank, and WPG. Turn right and keep the hedge on your right. Walk two sides of the field then through the WKG and MKG. Bear left to the stone stile by the stream. Use either the BG or the stone stile to exit the field and reach the lane.  [1.1Km]

 

[9] Turn right along the road and walk approx. 350m past houses and past a footpath which is up a track on the right. Opposite a large metal field gate on the left find access to another field. Take MKG into another field. Walk around field edge keeping the hedge on your right. Ignore first MPG and keep walking until opposite a flat roof brick building in an enclosure across the field. Find MKG in the hedge on your right, go through and across stone bridge. Follow path to the left. Ignore MKG in front, turn right, across wooden bridge and through MKG. Walk the green lane for 970 metres, passing farm buildings on the left, and reaching the outskirts of West Harptree village.    [1.8Km]

 

[10] Cross the road junction and walk along the main street, past the village shop and turn left up Ridge Lane. Just past Ridgeway Close and opposite last house on the left turn right through a MKG.  Walk along field track to MKG in left corner.  In the next field walk diagonally right towards the hedge. The edge of the field dips down and leads to a MKG and a stone bridge then a sunken lane to a MKG in the corner of the field. Walk straight ahead and through MKG.  Bear left and then walk diagonally right across the field to a MKG on the left of a bungalow.  Pass through the MKG and turn left.  Ignore the track immediately on the left and walk up the track (Cowleaze Lane) which becomes a grass track for 560 metres to Harptree Hill.  (July2021) Please take care in Cowleaze Lane, where the terrain has become deep rutted and often hidden by long vegetation. [1.3 Km] 

 

[11] Cross the road, turn left up the hill and almost immediately walk through the BG on the right into a large field. Bear right to the hedge by the telegraph pole. Walk with the hedge on your right, to the corner of the field. Walk through the MKG on the right.  [440m]

  

[12] Bear sharp left keeping the hedge on your left and through the FG. Walk straight on up the narrow field and through MKG then along an enclosed path running parallel and higher than the country lane.  Walk through the WKG and down the steps  into the lane.  Turn left up the hill and then first right through a BG. From here wonderful views of the Chew Valley can be admired.  Bear left down the steep field to a tarmac drive by a house and keep on down and through a MPG by the cattle grid. Walk down the lane a short distance to the first entrance on the left into a field.   [500m]

 

The description continues in Stage Six of the Limestone Link

 

OR  

 

[13]  Continue down Rectory Lane to the village where the Church, Ring O Bells pub and the village pond is along the road to your left.  To reach the village hall turn right at the bottom of Rectroy lane and it can be seen on the left. 

 

 

 

There is a very limited bus route servicing Compton Martin and the villages in the Chew Valley.  You will need to pre-plan the day of the week and the timing carefully.

 

Parking for one or two cars is possible on the roadside by the village pond.  Larger number of cars may find parking options at the village hall or the Ring O'Bells public house.