Vobster walk
Monday 11th April – Vobster
Walk Leaders: Nicky & Jackie
A 5 mile walk around some of the remains of the historic Somerset Coalfields. We will leave the pub at 9.45 am in just a few cars to go to the start of the walk in Vobster where we have special permission to park at the Fisheries.
The walk takes us along the colliery tramway past the old coke ovens of Vobster Colliery then we walk briefly through the village to pick up the tramway behind the Vobster pub. This is up a steep grassy bank, then across the dry bed of the Dorset and Somerset Canal. We have a short distance along the road before we cross a large field picking up the route of the Newbury Railway to Mells Colliery (now an industrial estate, but some of the buildings remain). Leaving the colliery, we walk along Charity Lane. Opposite the back entrance to Babbington House we turn into a field heading towards Upper Vobster passing the Vobster quarry (now a dive centre) until we reach the old track of the Newbury Railway leading to the site of the Newbury Colliery (now the site of a reconstituted stone firm). We head towards the site of the Macintosh Colliery and take a path around old spoil tips (batches). We climb gently to Coleford, crossing the road we descend steeply through Maggs Wood down to the River Mells and walk across the meadows to the site of the Vobster Colliery and back to our cars.
The walk is a mixture of footpaths, across fields and along country lanes. The path down through the woods is fairly steep and could be tricky if wet. There is a short sharp climb at Vobster, a steady slope up, a bit of undulation and one downhill section. There are 6 wooden stiles and several kissing gates. When we walked the route the ground was all firm and dry, but should we have rain then there will be plenty of squelchy and muddy patches and possible cloggy mud across the fields.
Report
After moving from the Bell Inn at Leigh on Mendip to our starting point a bit closer to Vobster (what a strange name!) 14 walkers assembled suitably wrapped up as it appeared as though we would be accompanied by a cold wind. However, as the walk progressed items of clothing were shed as the wind dropped, leaving very pleasant walking conditions.
We set off along some very interesting old mine workings, old canal beds and quarries, some still working. Arriving at the village of Vobster, we climbed a steep path which was the old inclined tramway built to take the coal up to the old Somerset and Dorset canal, later the Newbury railway. A lovely view from here including a thatcher at work, a rare site even in Somerset. Then over some fields to the site of the Mells colliery, now an industrial estate. We passed an old entrance to Babbington House, and the Diving centre now in an old quarry. We walked along the route of the former Newbury railway line passed the site of the Newbury colliery, now a stone factory, then passed former miners cottages and round the edge of the site of the Mackintosh colliery. Climbing back up to Coleford, we had our first problem! The farmer had conveniently left a large implement across the footpath, but our intrepid leader Nicky sweet talked him into fetching a tractor to move it!
Walking steeply down through woods and over the Mells river and then over some fields back to the cars and thence to the pub.
The Bell inn served us large portions of food and looked after us very well. Nicky kept us up to date whilst walking on all the interesting parts that we passed. Our wildlife sightings included a Red Kite, Hen Pheasants and newborn lambs. Thanks to Nicky and Jackie for taking us around such an interesting part of our glorious county.
Report by John L
Footnote: The day after we crossed the two large fields which had the stubble of maize left, they were ploughed!