Westcombe to Batcombe Walk
Monday 19th June – Westcombe
Walk Co-ordinators: Allan and Joyce
Meet at the Bell Inn, Evercreech at 9.30 for 9.45 start. We drive in as few cars as possible to Westcombe to start the walk. It is a 4.8 mile quiet country walk at a leisurely pace, in steep-sided valleys between Westcombe and Batcombe, then following the river Alham to Spargrove before climbing back to Westcombe. Some steep climbs, including one long steep climb of around 400 yards and a short sharp shock coming up to Batcombe Church. 10 stiles plus a similar number of gates. You can expect wonderful views, the river Alham, chocolate box villages, George Osborne spotting opportunities and skinny dipping (at own risk)! Cattle are likely in a couple of locations, plus Shetland ponies.
Report
Nineteen walkers gathered at the Bell Inn in Evercreech, Allan having promised a quiet country walk at a leisurely pace in steep sided valleys. Some of us were a little concerned because we had travelled to Evercreech through heavy thundery showers. We need not have worried as the morning stayed dry and there was a cooling gentle breeze. We set off from the Bell in a smaller number of cars to park behind the dairy at Westcombe - with permission of course.
Off we set more or less level until we began a reasonably gentle walk up part of the Alham river bed which got steeper quite soon. We were chivvied on by the promise that the views once at the top would be worth it.-.they were. We sat for a short break looking down on Batcombe village nestling in the sunlit valley below looking quite idyllic. Steeply down into Batcombe. Thence into some fields to head sharply up past Batcombe church but not before facing an inquisitive group of young cows that Patsy dealt with well! We then followed the Alham valley along to Spargrove. A delightful stroll along through the meadows. Our final gentle climb across fields back to our walk start at Westcombe and transfer to a good lunch at the Bell.
Thanks, Allan for a really good walk with great scenery! And thanks to Keith for taking over the back marker position at short notice.
Report by John C