Absolutely loads of walks around the village of Baltonsborough and around.
We are really lucky to have a Footpath Warden, Phil Bradshaw that goes more than just the extra mile, quite literally. Phil has been responsible for replacing most of the old stiles, around the parish, with lovely new modern metal kissing gates. A real labour of love, which has taken a great deal of his time, co-ordinating with ramblers who have done a lot of the labour as volunteers and negotiating with landowners and others for the appropriate permissions. All this as well as finding the funding for the project.
This is a monthly Village walk led by Phil, that we did in Mid May. Approximately 2.75 miles on flat ground. A few kissing gates and long grass, but an easy ramble.
We met for the walk at the Village Phone Box, an easy mile from our bungalow to the top of Ham Street at the junction with Muchelney Hill.
We started our walk, by cutting up the lane by our bungalow towards the top of the school playing field. From here we walked up through the field and then through the woods to Burnetts Lane.
The path up through the woods was dry and passable but just beginning to be overgrown by new Spring growth, mind the nettles. This is a popular dog walkers route, so the path quickly becomes assessable, although can be very muddy after rain.
Through the gate and we were on Burnetts Lane and passed the "Corrigated Cottage". Now used as a holiday let in an old Anderson shelter, which had been used by Land Girls during the World War 2.
Following on past here, we looked over the fields and could just make out our house down in the valley on the edge of the playing field, a lovely view.
Soon we were out on Ham Street. Turning left, we followed the road to the top of Muchelney Hill, by the phone box which now holds the new defibrillator.
The next part of the walk continued to the top of Ham Street and then left towards Lottisham. This part of the walk took us passed the lovely little church of St Mary's in Lottisham. The door to the church was open so we wandered in for a look around.
St Mary's Church Lottisham
We are so luck in this country to have so many delightful little churches tucked around the country and lovingly looked after.
St Marys is beautifully kept with some great stained glass windows. Unusually these are modern ones but beautifully done. Surprisingly it was built in 1876 in the Arts and Crafts style, so relatively modern. Built of blue lias stone by the architect Thomas Graham Jackson.
Note the Tor!!
All to soon, time to continue the walk. This time we were heading across the fields on the footpaths well marked, although there were a few minor obstacles to navigate around. We crossed Hells Ditch over the tiny bridge which marked the boundary between the parishes of Lottisham and Baltonsborough.
The bridge across Hells Ditch.
We paused for a short breath at a handy farm store.
Lots of lovely old farm houses on route and back towards Ham Street and the end of the walk.
Finally back to the start and our walk was finished. A lovely ramble in lovely weather.
Looking forward to the next village ramble!!
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