Stoke St Michael to Mells
Walk Length and Type
A Linear Walk as part of the Radstock Ring. 6.2mls/10kms
Description of Walk
This linear walk as part of the Radstock Ring starts at Stoke St.Michael Playing Fields and takes you along country lanes and across open pastureland into woodland before reaching the outskirts of Holcombe and Coleford. You continue across open pastureland, along bridleways passing through Upper Vobster and onto the historic village of Mells.
Description of Area
The village of Stoke St. Michael became a centre for cloth manufacture with fulling mills being established on the River Frome to the north of the village. Henry Fussell established paper mills in 1803, and his family, who came from the village, including James Fussell established their iron works and edge-tool business in Mells. Several significant caves of the Mendip Hills are close to the village including Stoke Lane Slocker, St. Dunstan's Well and those at the disused Fairy Cave Quarry. A basalt quarry is also nearby at Moons Hill.
The villages of Coleford and Holcombe were very involved in the coal industry with the last mine closing in 1919. In Coleford there are visible remains of a famous unfinished engineering project, the Dorset and Somerset Canal aqueduct, known locally as the 'Huckyduck', which was abandoned in 1803.
Holcombe also had several mines which are now closed. Evidence still remains of the constructed Dorset and Somerset Canal which never came into use. For a time Scott of the Antarctic's parents lived at and ran the brewery in Holcombe. Members of his family are buried in a family grave, and there is a memorial accrediting Scott's interment in the Antarctic, in the Holcombe old church.
Upper Vobster is a small hamlet which you pass through on the walk but is worth a mention as Jenson Button the 2009 Formula One World Motor Racing Champion spent his early life in the village and went to the local school in Frome
The Basics
Distance in miles and km: 6.2mls/10kms Gradient: Undulating
Severity: Easy
Approx min time to walk : 3hrs
Stiles: Many, including stone stiles.
Maps: OS map 142
Path description: Field paths, Bridleways and woodland paths.
Dog Freindly: Yes
Public Toilets: None
Nearest Refreshments: Stoke St Michael Village Store, Coleford Village Store, Co-Op Stores at Coleford, and Holcombe Farm Shop and Kitchen
Public Transport: Check timetable and availability with http://www.travelinesw.com
Start Point: Community Playing Fields , Frog Lane, Stoke St Michael, Shepton Mallet, BA3 5JL
Parking: Community Playing Fields, Frog Lane, Stoke St. Michael. BA3 5JL ST 660 471
Map
Walk Route
[1]From the car park of Stoke St Michael Playing Field turn right onto Frog Lane and shortly you will find a kissing gate on your right. Pass through and continue across field to a kissing gate and exit next field through gate to Stoke Lane which you cross. Go through small gate and continue downhill in field to exit through another small gate. Turn right and then immediately left on lane to climb gently to arrive at Cook's Farm. Turn left between properties and follow footpath through gate. As you hear the sound of water the footpath passes on your left 'Stoke Lane Slocker' and reaches woodland.
Pass a redundant stile and then arrive in Cookswood Quarry which is currently being developed as a leisure complex.
[2]Follow the path left through the quarry to reach the lane. Go straight across and climb stile into field. Bear right towards opposite hedge to find in the corner a small gate and then after passing through go diagonally right to find stile leading to lane in bottom left corner. Cross the lane and turn right and immediately find stile on left. Continue along the short distance to find double stile on right and in next small field often with caravans in. Go left to exit on lane by Ham Farm. Turn left on lane and walk gently uphill ignoring any footpaths to your left or right to reach T junction where you go straight across to track with Kilmersdon Common Farm on your left.
[3]Go through kissing gate on your right and walk downhill to reach kissing gate and another gate in the valley bottom. Go uphill straight ahead on grassy path going right as you reach the top to find metal kissing gate in hedge on your left leading to wooded area. Take the right hand path that leads you to properties and road in Coleford where you walk passing garages to reach Anchor Road.
[4]Cross at the zebra crossing and turn right (should you require refreshments continue ahead to the Radstock Coop Shop) and then immediately left to follow footpath down to footbridge and kissing gate. In field follow left up over grassy bank to exit in top left hand corner to track. Turn right and then shortly take kissing gate on right and in field go diagonally right to kissing gate in top corner.
[5]Turn right in field and go through kissing gate and then through further kissing gate to exit field through farm gate to track as buildings appear ahead on your right. Follow track to lane which you cross before taking footpath on right just before the entrance to Coleford Works. Follow this path initially through wooded area before opening up and passing stable complex to arrive in Upper Vobster. When you reach the first house continue ahead and then left to exit through gate to road.
[6]Turn right to walk on road through the small village and reach cross roads. Go straight ahead to field opposite on the left. Go over stile and follow public footpath sign diagonally right across field to pass through gateway to next field and with Vobster Quarries Lake initially on your right. Walk close to top right hand hedge passing small wooden gate with "No public access" sign. Continue along between trees to arrive in an industrial yard where you walk ahead between buildings to exit through gate/stile to lane.
[7]Go over stile ahead of you and turn right along wide track passing through three gates to reach field. Continue along keeping tight to left hand hedge to reach lane. Turn right on lane and after a short distance turn left through hedge gap and go diagonally right across field to meet lane by two stone walls . Across lane continue in next field in same direction to reach large gap in bottom right corner. Turn right and follow path as it turns left and then take stile on right. Follow path left as it drops down to exit short field by Mells Manor entrance.
Turn right and take the second road on left, Longfield to find the village car park.