FOR the two-day mid-week walking adventure this year, William from Penarth and District Ramblers chose the beautiful Quantocks and on day one, the group of 15 set off from Kilve Beach – renowned for its fossils – and headed along the coast before turning inland to Perry to explore the North Quantocks.
A long steady climb led them to the trig point on Beacon Hill at 310m above sea level for their morning break, whilst enjoying the views across the Bristol Channel and to Bridgewater Bay in the east.
A descent through a valley filled with glorious oak trees at Somerton Combe was followed by lunch in sunshine whilst being serenaded by birdsong, before moving on with another climb and a steep descent into the hamlet of Holford and a visit to the little Church of St Mary with its lovely corn dolly hanging from the rafters. Then onward through pretty hamlets and past farms to make their way back to their start.
On day two another walker joined the group and in sunshine but with a blustery wind they set off from Hawkridge reservoir, which is renowned for its brown and rainbow trout fishing to Wyches Barn and through woodland to Lower Merridge. They climbed towards Lydeard Hill with its fantastic views over Somerset and Devon before stopping for refreshments under a lovely old birch tree. They tramped over moorland with its grazing ponies to the highest point of the Quantocks and arrived at the 386-metre trig point on Wills Neck.
A steep descent past Triscombe Quarry led them past Highland cattle and down to Quantock Combe. They paused at the site of St David’s Well, an ancient but undated structure across a natural spring, before dropping downhill to the majestic 19th Century Quantock Lodge, set in its own grounds. The lovely parkland contains very old stunning oaks and sweet chestnut trees, and a farm track led them to fields for the gradual climb up Coleshill onto the ridge overlooking the reservoir. Finally crossing fields below the dam and passing the fishing clubhouse, they returned to their start after a glorious two-day autumnal break.
Sully and Swanbridge
In contrast for those who chose to stay at home, a group of 14 walkers and Bruno the dog joined Joy at Penarth clifftop car park at the start of their 9.5 mile local walk with absolutely no stiles, a fact which went down really well! They joined the disused old Taff Vale Railway line which is now a walk and cycle track, before deviating through Brockhill Way onto Lavernock Road for the short journey into Cosmeston Country Park and Lakes. Then they went on through the western paddock and through Cogan Wood and across the Sully Brook for the climb to Home Farm with its neatly ploughed fields.
By road down past fields of maize to the coast at Swanbridge for the crossing over the rocky causeway to Sully Island at low tide, and locating a spot on the south of the island out of the wind, they stopped for lunch. Views across the channel were obscured by mist as they made their way to the eastern end of the island with its views to Flat and Steep Holm, Bream Down and Brent Knoll.
They walked back across the causeway and by road to cross fields into Lavernock Nature Reserve, then down Fort Road to the Church of St Lawrence before heading along the cliff path back to Penarth.
You can follow the group here or on Facebook.
Joy Strangward
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- Penarth ramblers enjoy their weekend in Sussex
- Ramblers explore Sully Island
- Ramblers celebrate with a picnic in the park
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