Walking in and around Winsham
The countryside around Winsham is beautiful; it is not rugged but for the most part comprises gentle
gradients and a mixture of grassland and wooded valleys, with gently flowing rivers and streams. It
is also blessed with a wonderful network of public footpaths and roads ,giving testimony to
Winsham’s long history, traceable back
to Roman times.
Many Winsham residents delight in regular walks around the parish, some on a more or less daily basis to
maintain personal well-being (not forgetting the dog!). Some also enjoy once a month organised walks, with a
leader,
and it is to these groups that this web page is, in the main, devoted.
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WINSHAM WALKERS - 2nd January 2025 Walk With the new year upon us, it was nice to have a larger than average group of 15 join us for this months walk. Which started from the War Memorial by the childrens play park. Having had a miserable days rain on the Wednesday it was pleasing that we were able to complete this walk in the dry. We set off down Church Street, passing the Bell Inn and St Stephens Church before turning left into Court Street, we walked the length of Court Street and on along Broadenham Lane to cross the field path and emerge onto Ebben Lane at Broadenham farm. We then followed Ebben Lane & Holvert Lane past Hey Farm & Ashcombe Farm and on to the car park at Wayford Woods. We entered the woodland and followed the circular path around the woods, pausing briefly by the top bridge for a photo call. We stopped again shortly afterwards for coffee before returning via the lake-side path to the car park at the entrance to the woods. From here we retraced our route along Holvert Lane and the full length of Ebben Lane to return to the top of the village at High Street. Then along Fore Street to return to the start point. The next walk will be on Thursday 6th February, details will be issued to regular walkers via eMail. Any new comers wishing to join are welcome to contact me on the number below. Dave Lester 30887 |
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WINSHAM WALKERS - 05 December 2024 Walk With the weather being a little changeable and mizzly on the morning of the walk it was good to see 11 walkers turn up for this months walk of just under 4 miles. The walk started and finished in the Car Park of Blackdown Village Hall on the B3165. We set off for a short distance along the B3165, quickly turning off along a field side track before turning sharp left to climb gently along the edge of another field to reach the Wessex Ridgeway. From this point we were able to look back over Blackdown Hill and see Winsham village in the distance, just making out the church and the new houses on Western Way. We followed the Wessex Ridgeway path, with its far reaching views over the Dorset countryside, ascending very gently through very soggy fields to reach the edge of the Pilsdon Hill Fort. We entered the hill fort and worked our way around the North Eastern edge to eventually reach the Trig Point at the very top. We stopped here for a short refreshment break and some mince pies allowing everyone to take in the magnificent views of the Dorset coast and countryside, it really is a spectacle. Once we were all suitably refreshed, we set off for the return leg, walking along the South Western Edge of the hill fort before descending past "Wordsworth Stile" and along the farm track to the road at Pilsdon Hill Farm. From here we took the footpath below the Ridgeway and along the edge of several fields before rejoining the track that we had started out on. From here it was a short distance to the road and then the car park. The next walk will be in the new year on Thursday 2nd Jan 2025, details will be issued to regular walkers via Email. Any new comers wishing to join are welcome to contact me on the number below. Di & I would like to wish all walkers who have joined us throughout the year and others who read these articles a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year. Dave Lester 30887 |
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WINSHAM WALKERS - 07 November 2024 Walk A group of 8 turned up for this months walk of 5.1 miles, which by kind permission started and finished in the Car Park of the Chardstock Community Centre. The weather was fine but overcast as we set off along the Tytherley Road for a short distance before forking right onto the footpath across country, passing Honey Hill Farm and then dropping down to cross the little river Kit and then climbing the other side of the Kit valley passing a private tennis court to eventually emerge onto the road at Burchill. From Burchill we cut across fairly flat countryside footpaths to pass Alston & Holy Farms and drop out onto the Churchill road. We walked another short distance on the road, before skirting around Churchill village on field paths and tracks and then climbing the footpaths to reach the summit of Beacon hill. Here we stopped for a while to take refreshments and admire the beautiful panoramic views. We walked on dropping past Yard Farm, before following green lanes and undulating meadow footpaths to cross the road and then drop through the area known as "The Parks". We re-crossed the pretty river Kit and then climbed the short distance to Chardstock Court manor house eventually emerging into the village alongside St Andrews Church. We then proceeded through the village to return to the cars. The next walk will be on Thursday 5th December, details will be issued to regular walkers via eMail. Any new comers wishing to join are welcome to contact me on the number below. Dave Lester 30887 |
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WINSHAM WALKERS - 3rd October 2024 Walk
After cancelling the September walk due to poor
weather it was good to see 8 walkers assembled at the North Perrott
cricket club for this months 5 mile circular walk. The weather was dry
and mild. From the cricket club we walked a short stretch
west along Willis's Lane before walking a part of the River Parrett
trail to St Martins church in North Perrott walking a short distance
along church lane. From here we cut across a meadow footpath along a
gently sloping path to Mill Farm, where we circuited the farm area and
followed a field side path on the Monarchs Way and then cut across the
middle of a maize field and along a short track under a rail bridge to
arrive in Misterton. We followed a few paths through the outskirts of
Misterton then a field path to Pipplepen Farm. At this point we followed the road for a short
distance before entering a field through a gateway, we then crossed
several fields, passing the site of an old moat, then climbing Crondle
Hill before walking around the edge of a large horse paddock to emerge
onto Eastfield Lane near Eastfield Dairy. We walked along Eastfield Lane
and then Back Lane to arrive at the farm shop and cafe in North Perrott
where we stopped for coffee and cake all round. Suitably refreshed we
then walked the short distance along Willis's Lane again back to where
the cars were parked. I would like to thank those people who regularly
turn up on my walks and make the effort involved in finding and
pre-walking routes worthwhile. The next walk will be on Thursday 7th November. Any
newcomers, not currently on my mailing list, and wishing to join future
walks are welcome to contact me on the number below for details. Dave Lester 30887 |
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Winsham Walkers -Walk on Thursday,1st August 2024
WINSHAM WALKERS A small group of keen walkers gathered at the war memorial in the village for this months 6.25 mile circular walk to Thorncombe and back. The weather was very warm and sunny, possibly deterring some regulars from the walk.
From the war memorial we walked down Church Street and into Court Street turning at the end along Wynards Lane to the B3162 at the Axe bridge. We carefully followed the B3162 the short distance under the railway bridge and up to Bere Farm. From here we meandered through the Bere Farm complex before following the route of the River Synderford through the meadows to Shedrick bridge where we crossed Wheelhouse Lane to continue to follow the rivers course before cutting off and rising gently across several fields and along a rather overgrown Blind Lane footpath to emerge into Thorncombe directly opposite the bottom end of Gribb View. We then followed Chard Street into the centre of the village where it was unanimously agreed we would stop for much needed refreshments at the village community shop & cafe.
Suitably refreshed and relieved, we continued from the cafe to follow the footpath between houses passing by the edge of the children's playground and following the footpath along the edge of two fields, passing the top end of Gribb View before climbing a stile into the relative cool of the woodland for a short distance and then the maize planted field, from where we had great views over Winsham, to arrive at Horseshoe Road. We walked a short distance along this road before taking the footpath off to go through fields, along tracks and Partway Lane passing Whistling Copse and Forde Abbey Farm to emerge onto the road opposite the track entrance to the old quarry. We then walked along the footpath that skirted the edge of the quarry before following meadow paths alongside the main Forde Abbey site to cross Whatley Lane and follow the field path alongside Ammerham Lane and then the lane itself over the railway bridge in Ammerham. We then cut off across the fields to return to the village via the edge of the church burial ground and Pooles Lane.
The next walk will be on Thursday 5th September. Any newcomers, not currently on my mailing list, and wishing to join future walks are welcome to contact me on the number below for details.
Dave Lester 30887
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WINSHAM WALKERS
Started in 2000 by Peter and Mary Pye, it has more or less met regularly on the first Thursday of the month,
throughout
the years. There are no membership rules, and no subscriptions
the village in early 2021 from Gloucestershire and have always been keen walkers. As soon as Covid
restrictions would
allow they joined the group.
At the end of 2021, Peter and Mary Pye decided that they could no longer give the leadership that the group
needed, and the group was in danger of not being able to continue. Nobody wanted that to happen, so Dave
and Di agreed to take over the leadership; their initial hesitation came more from lack of knowledge of the
area than any
other reason.
Newcomers are welcome!
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Dave Lester New comers wishing to join are welcome to contact me. 01460 30887 (M)07960 916334 |
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For those walking with the Winsham Walkers and Winsham Strollers groups, please note: All walkers that participate in these walks take part entirely at their own risk. Walkers are individually responsible for ensuring that they are properly equipped and physically fit enough to complete the walk, including negotiating stiles where necessary. Leaders will advise beforehand the length and difficulty of the walk. Exercising caution! Some general advice... One of the benefits of walking in a group is its safety. The general advice is if you walk alone, even in this relatively benign area, and especially off the beaten track, always wear suitable footwear and clothing, take your mobile phone and if you can, tell someone (or just leave a note somewhere) where you are going, and when you expect to be back. Remember, a badly sprained ankle can be as disabling as a broken leg-give people a chance to find you. It could save your life. Taking a map and a compass is always a good idea if you are going to more isolated places. |
