Litton - Ston Easton
Walk Length and Type:
A Linear Walk as part of the Radstock Ring. 3.8 miles/6 km
Description of Walk
This section of the Radstock Ring takes you from the pretty village of Litton to Ston Easton. The linear walk takes you across open countryside with wonderful views over the Chew Valley with Chew Valley lake in the distance. You pass through Litton Woods before reaching the village of Ford and Chewton Mendip. On leaving Chewton Mendip you continue over the pastureland of Chew Down to reach Ston Easton Church.
Description of Area
Litton is a small village between Chewton Mendip and West Harptree in the Mendip Hills, Somerset. The parish includes the hamlet of Sherborne. Very close to the village are the Litton Reservoirs. which are operated by Bristol Water. They lie on the boundary between Bath and North East Somerset and Mendip districts. The individual lakes are called Lower Litton and Upper Litton. .
Chewton Mendip is where the estate of the Waldegrave Family lies but little is left of the Gothic Mansion which was built in 1791. Lead and stone were quarried in the area together with a number of caves.
There is a long barrow to the north of the village 100 ft (30 m) by 50 ft (15 m). Excavation in 1946 revealed six Bronze Age barrows below the crest of the Mendips. The shape of some of the existing fields suggests they are of medieval origin.
The Basics
Distance in miles and km: 3.8 mls /6 km
Gradient: Undulating
Severity: Moderate
Approx minimum time to walk : 2hrs
Stiles: Many
Maps: OS Explorer 141/142
Path description: Field Footpaths, Country Lanes
Dog Friendly: Yes
Public Toilets: None
Nearest Refreshments: “ The Litton”, on the B3114 Post Code: BA3 4PW
Public Transport: Bus Route: First Bus 376 Bristol to Wells ( Bus stops at Chewton Mendip) Check timetable www.travelinesw
Parking: Permission may be sought at “ The Litton” Car Park on the B3114 Post Code :- BA3 4PW
Start Point: Litton Village Hall, Litton Lane, Litton. (No parking facility). Grid Ref: ST 594 546
Map
Walk Route
[1]With your back to Litton Village Hall walk uphill towards the Church, whose tower can be seen, but don't turn up the driveway to the Church, instead keep walking on the back road through the village, (Litton Lane). On reaching the main road, turn right and almost opposite Back Lane cross the road and take the stile into field.
[2]The field starts to climb and you pass through a gate and continue to climb Hook's Hill with hedge on left to reach two stiles in top corner. In next field you continue to climb towards top hedge and on reaching it go right and then follow the hedge left to reach a gate. Through gate keep hedge on right hand side and follow round to stile in bottom corner. Over stile go over the next one leading into Litton Wood and follow the path through the wood to metal gate and then the track leading to further metal gate into yard and gate/stile to lane.
[3]Turn left on Ford Lane and walk along passing lane on right until after around 1/2 mile you reach T junction with B3114.Turn right and walk along with care and then take the track on the left opposite Ford House Farm where almost immediately you will find on right stile to field.
[4]Follow path up field to stile to enclosed track which leads you to a further stile to field where after a few yards you will find a double stile on right to field. Go straight ahead over the brow of the hill crossing three fields with stone stiles to reach a lane, which you cross and go through gate. Follow ahead to find stile in bottom right hand corner where you cross track to stile opposite and then walk between garden to reach stone stile taking you through small copse to reach A39 in Chewton Mendip. Turn right here if you require any refreshments.
[5]Otherwise cross the road with care and turn left walking uphill to almost reach the brow of the hill. Turn right at the bridle path sign into a short mud track which leads into the field. Walk along this long field across Chew Down with 360 degree views to reach gate to lane.
[6]Take the stile opposite and then bear right to further stile and continue in same direction to two further stiles to cross track leading to Chewton Field Farm. Then continuing in same diagonal direction take stiles to a further 3 fields to arrive at Penny Plant Hire yard in Ston Easton. Go through the Bristol Gate beside the yard and walk along field edge to reach stile and the busy A37 opposite the church of St Mary the Virgin, Ston Easton where there are parking spaces available.