North Wootton Walk
Tuesday 6th June – North Wootton
Walk Co-ordinators: John W and Stan
This is a walk of 5.8 miles starting at The Crossways, North Wootton. We head north east along the lane to Nut Tree Farm & after a short distance along Mill Lane (track) we bear off onto a public footpath to Stoodly Bridge. Then the public footpath takes us on a steady climb past Knowle Farm & a short steeper ascent into West Compton. Back onto the lanes, there is then a steep ascent to Burford Cross & back on a footpath for the descent into Pilton, past the Methodist church & down Barrow Lane to the ford. We follow a path beside the stream & on to the Tithe barn for a coffee stop, on past the Parish church, climbing the lane then west along a track to Stoodly Hill and Folly Lane (track) back to North Wootton.
Report
After two weeks of glorious sunshine, it was an inauspicious start as 15 hardy souls gathered under cloudy skies and a harsh Northerly wind. Could this really be June?
Suitably layered up, we set off; our leader out of the traps like a greyhound after an electric rabbit. A good pace would be required for a lengthy walk of just under six miles.
We were soon off road, crossing a succession of wildflower meadows with two foot tall grasses, buttercups and orchids. A small stream crossing confirmed that springs are still producing water and we were soon surprised by a short muddy section, though insufficient to register on the ‘mudometer’. Climbing gently up a beautiful and peaceful valley we soon reached West Compton, but not before negotiating a fenced-in section of the path along the field margin. This was challenging for those intrepid shorts wearers, as our leader pulled out a pair of secateurs to do a bit of gardening to clear our route of nettles and brambles.
A steep climb up the lane out of the village brought us to the highest point of our walk and, eventually, superb views over Pilton and the Glastonbury Festival site spread out across the entire valley, while a Swordfish biplane flew overhead. After a coffee break we headed quickly down into Pilton village, stopping briefly for a photo opportunity on the bridge by a ford crossing the stream, before climbing again to visit the 14thC Tithe Barn and a brief interlude of piano music played by two of our number, followed by an equally brief history of the barn.
Leaving Pilton by way of the church, we climbed again through fields and along quiet country lanes, before descending again, gently at first then steeply across a field of very energised cattle, and back into North Wootton. We returned considerably warmer, with layers removed, to a very welcoming hostelry for a well-deserved lunch.
Report by Allan