Wookey Hole to Wells
Thursday 17th August – Wookey Hole to Wells
Walk Co-ordinators: Cath & Patsy
We walk from the inn across fields and lanes and paths into Wells centre. Our way back is climbing high across fields to Manor Farm and then on a quiet lane to the Inn. Just under 5 miles. (in practice, in the end, the walk avoided Wells town centre).
REPORT
14 of us embarked on this walk, led by Patsy who had kindly stepped into the breach when Audrey became unavailable, due to her husband Ed’s unfortunate stroke. We wish him well. Cath was back marker.
Undulating was the epithet voiced by one of our number in respect of this walk, and they were right! Not a lot of level ground. But all the more interesting as a result. We set out uphill from Wookey but, 40 minutes later found ourselves in Wells. Although I have lived in the area for 4 years now, I had no idea that Wells boasted so many ‘hidden’ footpaths. Presumably the majority came into being long before the massive expansion of housing. But even more curious, the first one took us through the grounds of the Blue School – who would have thought it in these days of health and safety!
An hour and a quarter into the walk and it was time for our coffee break – this time in the Coombe. Again, I had no idea this idyllic spot existed so close to the centre of Wells and, despite that, we had the place to ourselves. My only regret is that I failed to remember to take a photo to go with this write-up (but someone had!). I learned from the cognoscenti in the group that the Combe is part of the Milton Lodge estate, which is owned by the Tudway Quilter family.
Our walk continued (uphill again!) bringing us to some excellent views, including the Mendips to the North and the Cathedral to the South. Mair celebrated by choosing to roll down the next hill rather than walk – well, why not!
Having set off on the dot of 10am, we were back in Wookey Hole just before 1pm, just time to sample the delights of plastic dinosaurs and the like (or maybe not!). Most of the group retired to the Wookey Hole Inn for lunch although sadly I had to leave them as I had an afternoon commitment. But all in all a great walk and thanks to Patsy for stepping into the breach.
Report by Don