Walk Length and Type
A linear walk as part of the Radstock Ring of approximately 3.75mls/6kms
Description of Walk
This linear walk as part of the Radstock Ring starts from the centre of Farmborough where you pass Farmborough Manor, the village school and The Green, all now cushioned by modern houses. Take country lanes and fields, with good views from the hills, to reach Clutton village.
Description of Area
The route heads north as we cross the main A39 road and take an old Roman road which goes along the small hills that run along the southern side of the Chew Valley. We soon connect with the Three Peaks Way and share this footpath all of the way to Clutton. The isolated farmhouse, Barrow Hill Farm was originally a second Manor of Farmborough and the estate was owned by St John's Hospital. Eventually both Manors of Farmborough were owned by The Popham Family of Hunstrete. The hill to the right which dominates this section of the walk is Blackberry Hill which has a height of 207m, but the rugged megalithic barrow on the left of the track is of greater interest in modern history. A short detour at * on the route description, and take the footpath opposite Barrow Hill Farm, turn right and find the fencing around a concrete pillar. This was intended as a top secret, Royal Observer Corps, Master Nuclear Bunker for the Cold War, but only reached the rating of a Nuclear Observer Post. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/top-secret-nuclear-bunker-near-432945
Shortly after passing the hill the former mining village of Clutton soon comes into view. Whilst Clutton could be said to be situated on the eastern edge of the Chew Valley it is close to the Cam Brook which takes a slightly different route to the River Avon. Clutton is a parish in its own right and includes the hamlets of Clutton Hill and Northend.
The name Clutton is derived from the word Clutone which means a rocky hill enclosure and was mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book.
The village has a long history of coal mining but like the rest of the former Somerset coalfield there is little sign of it today. The mines in this area were owned by the Earl of Warwick who also owned sawmills, quarries and had various other interests in the area. Maynard Terrace is a unique row of terrace houses at the edge of the village and was built by the Earl for his workers. To serve the mines the Bristol and North Somerset railway built a line through the village and a station was also built here. The route of the walk crosses the trackbed slightly north of the former station.
The parish church here is dedicated to St Augustine of Hippo. It dates from 1190 but has undergone various restoration works. The tower is built of red sandstone and is believed to date from 1726. Two bells are contained in the tower and these were made by Thomas Bilbie and were hung a few years later.
Shortly after passing the hill the former mining village of Clutton soon comes into view. Whilst Clutton could be said to be situated on the eastern edge of the Chew Valley it is close to the Cam Brook which takes a slightly different route to the River Avon. Clutton is a parish in its own right and includes the hamlets of Clutton Hill and Northend.
The name Clutton is derived from the word Clutone which means a rocky hill enclosure and was mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book.
The village has a long history of coal mining but like the rest of the former Somerset coalfield there is little sign of it today. The mines in this area were owned by the Earl of Warwick who also owned sawmills, quarries and had various other interests in the area. Maynard Terrace is a unique row of terrace houses at the edge of the village and was built by the Earl for his workers. To serve the mines the Bristol and North Somerset railway built a line through the village and a station was also built here. The route of the walk crosses the trackbed slightly north of the former station.
The parish church here is dedicated to St Augustine of Hippo. It dates from 1190 but has undergone various restoration works. The tower is built of red sandstone and is believed to date from 1726. Two bells are contained in the tower and these were made by Thomas Bilbie and were hung a few years later.
The Basics
Distance in miles and km: 3.75miles/ 6kms
Gradient: One sharp climb when leaving Farmborough
Severity: Moderate
Approx minimum time to walk: 2.5 hours
Stiles: None
Maps: OS Maps 142 &155
Path description: Tarmac roads, green lanes and field paths.
Parking: Street parking in Farmborough
Dog Friendly: Yes
Public Toilets: None
Nearest Refreshments: The Butchers Arms Inn at Farmborough, The Railway Inn at Clutton and the cafe at Somerset Toiletry Company, A37, Clutton.
Public Transport: Check timetable and availability with http://travelinesw.com There is no direct link between the two villages. A bookable link service to nearest bus stops is available at https://travelwest.info/westlink/
Start Point: The Street, (near its junction with Poor Hill,) Farmborough.
Parking: Roadside parking in The Street, Farmborough. Off road parking may be possible in the Church Car Park, All Saints Church, top of Church Lane, Farmborough. (Please check with Church Wardens or Rector.)
Gradient: One sharp climb when leaving Farmborough
Severity: Moderate
Approx minimum time to walk: 2.5 hours
Stiles: None
Maps: OS Maps 142 &155
Path description: Tarmac roads, green lanes and field paths.
Parking: Street parking in Farmborough
Dog Friendly: Yes
Public Toilets: None
Nearest Refreshments: The Butchers Arms Inn at Farmborough, The Railway Inn at Clutton and the cafe at Somerset Toiletry Company, A37, Clutton.
Public Transport: Check timetable and availability with http://travelinesw.com There is no direct link between the two villages. A bookable link service to nearest bus stops is available at https://travelwest.info/westlink/
Start Point: The Street, (near its junction with Poor Hill,) Farmborough.
Parking: Roadside parking in The Street, Farmborough. Off road parking may be possible in the Church Car Park, All Saints Church, top of Church Lane, Farmborough. (Please check with Church Wardens or Rector.)
Map
Download route: 
The Route
[1] With the entrance to Poor Hill on your right, head west along The Street, passing The 17th Century Manor on the left and the Conygre Brook on the right. Continue, passing the village school, to the main A39.
[2] Walk the pavement on the left for approx. 50m and then cross the road into Love’s Lane. Go forward along this lane and where the tarmacked road turns left, carry on straight forward on the track up the hill. At the top of the slope turn left along another track and continue along this track for approximately 800m.
[3] At this point a tarmacked road comes in from the right and there is an agricultural yard on your left. Turn left along the track alongside the yard and follow this track, which is now joined from the right by the Three Peaks Walk. The track winds around a number of bends and shortly after turning right and then left around a double bend the track becomes tarmacked and ascends to pass Barrow Hill Farm, on your right just below Blackberry Hill. (* See Description of Area and marker A on the map) Pass the farm and as you start to descend the hill go through the MKG on your right. Go down the field to find a metal kissing gate in the hedge at the foot of the field.
[4] Cross the road to the second road, turn right and walk downhill. After a short distance there is a gap in the hedgerow with a number of footpath signs indicating a path going into the field. Enter the field and follow the hedge on the left as it meanders around the back of some houses down to a footbridge over a stream. Once over the footbridge, turn right along the hedgerow until you meet a fence. Turn left alongside the fence to climb the hill and at the top you have a lovely view of the surrounding area. Enter the fenced in footpath and continue along to the brow of the hill.
[5] Look down hill and aim for the metal kissing gate situated in the hedge approximately 75m from the left hand field corner. Go through this gate, cross the road to another metal pedestrian gate directly opposite and go through another one approximately 50m into the field and then head diagonally right towards a metal pedestrain gate at the inner left corner of the wood. Go through this and climb a short slope to the disused railway track*. Cross this track and continue following the Three Peaks route until reaching the road, (the Lower Bristol Road in Clutton.)
[6] Turn left and head for the village centre. When you reach the three-way junction go right for 50m and opposite is an enclosed path leading between some houses. Follow this path which leads to Venus Lane. This footpath is adjacent to Clutton Village Club where the next section of the walk starts.**
[2] Walk the pavement on the left for approx. 50m and then cross the road into Love’s Lane. Go forward along this lane and where the tarmacked road turns left, carry on straight forward on the track up the hill. At the top of the slope turn left along another track and continue along this track for approximately 800m.
[3] At this point a tarmacked road comes in from the right and there is an agricultural yard on your left. Turn left along the track alongside the yard and follow this track, which is now joined from the right by the Three Peaks Walk. The track winds around a number of bends and shortly after turning right and then left around a double bend the track becomes tarmacked and ascends to pass Barrow Hill Farm, on your right just below Blackberry Hill. (* See Description of Area and marker A on the map) Pass the farm and as you start to descend the hill go through the MKG on your right. Go down the field to find a metal kissing gate in the hedge at the foot of the field.
[4] Cross the road to the second road, turn right and walk downhill. After a short distance there is a gap in the hedgerow with a number of footpath signs indicating a path going into the field. Enter the field and follow the hedge on the left as it meanders around the back of some houses down to a footbridge over a stream. Once over the footbridge, turn right along the hedgerow until you meet a fence. Turn left alongside the fence to climb the hill and at the top you have a lovely view of the surrounding area. Enter the fenced in footpath and continue along to the brow of the hill.
[5] Look down hill and aim for the metal kissing gate situated in the hedge approximately 75m from the left hand field corner. Go through this gate, cross the road to another metal pedestrian gate directly opposite and go through another one approximately 50m into the field and then head diagonally right towards a metal pedestrain gate at the inner left corner of the wood. Go through this and climb a short slope to the disused railway track*. Cross this track and continue following the Three Peaks route until reaching the road, (the Lower Bristol Road in Clutton.)
[6] Turn left and head for the village centre. When you reach the three-way junction go right for 50m and opposite is an enclosed path leading between some houses. Follow this path which leads to Venus Lane. This footpath is adjacent to Clutton Village Club where the next section of the walk starts.**
NOTE: Alternative route from * to **. (But not a designated footpath.) Instead of proceeding forward, turn left and walk the mud path which opens into a community area with a Scout Hut on the right. Walk through the area and out through a metal kissing gate. Follow the track to the road and cross onto Venus Lane. Walk along Venus Lane to the Village Hall.