Walk - norton st Philip
Despite being at the crossroads of two busy roads, Norton st philip is a pretty enough place. Looming large over the village is the vast somerset perpendicular tower of st philip and st James Church, a landmark for many miles around. the highlight of the village, however, must be the George, allegedly the country’s oldest pub with a licence for selling intoxicating liquor that dates back to 1397. Judge Jefferies used the inn during his ‘Bloody Assizes,’ with 12 executions taking place on the common behind the pub. From Norton st philip, a track shown on the Os maps as ‘Watery Lane’ is followed through to Charlton Farm. Although an ankle-deep river in winter, at this time of year this track is totally dry, albeit stony underfoot and uneven. Beyond Charlton Farm another track, this one with a view, is followed through to Chilkwell Farm. the obvious landmarks are the Westbury White Horse and Cley Hill, Cranmore tower and the woodland surrounding Longleat. it is then on to Faulkland, where the Faulkland inn is sadly no more. there is somerset Lavender, however, where everything lavender can be purchased – including diffusers and oils, eye pillows and the obligatory lavender bags. please note, this is closed Mondays and tuesdays. the Lavender Farm also has a cafe that offers light lunches as well as teas and coffees and delicious cakes. And do explore Faulkland to find a duck pond and village green replete with stocks. Quiet byways and lanes are followed through to an isolated hamlet called Hassage – a manor, a farm and a few chickens – before the return to Norton st philip by way of a pleasant pastoral landscape and the valley of the little-known Norton Brook. Despite its age and history and tourist appeal, the George offers decent food and drink at prices well below what one would expect from such a honeypot. And it is one of those excellent establishments that offers small sized portions of main courses for those of us reluctant to consume vast amounts of calories at lunchtime!
Getting there
Follow the B3110 into Norton st philip before taking the A366 in the direction of Radstock. in 200 yards, turn left into Vicarage Lane and park on the roadside in the vicinity of the local church and school.
1. A366
Walk down to the A366, turn left and, in 200 yards, veer left on to a bridleway – not the left turn on to a public footpath. Follow a stony track called Watery Lane for ¼ mile before bearing left up to a handgate and field, ignoring one earlier left up to a gap in the hedge. Follow the right edges of the next two fields. turn right in the top corner of the second field to a gate before following the left edge of the field ahead. in 150 yards, pass through a gateway on the left and walk up the right edge of a field. turn right into the next field, walk ahead for 25 yards and turn left on to a track. Follow this track called Marrow pole Lane for 600 yards to a road.
2. LULLINGTON
turn right to a junction then left on the road signposted to Lullington. in 50 yards, pass through a handgate on the right into a yard at Charlton Farm. pass through the gate ahead and follow a bridleway for ¾ mile to the road by Chilkwell Farm. Follow the road ahead, passing the farmhouse on the right, to reach a property on the left in 400 yards. Continue along the road – Chilkwell Lane – for another 200 yards to a footpath on the right at a point where a gated track comes in on the left. pass through a gateway on the right and walk across the field ahead to a gate opposite, 80 yards from the left corner of the field. Follow the right edge of the next field down to a gate in its corner. Cross the next field to a point opposite where hedgerows form a corner before following the line of the hedge, the hedge on the right, down to a back lane in Faulkland. Follow this lane down to the A366.
3. hardington
turn left and, in 200 yards, turn right at a minor crossroads with the left turn signposted to Hardington. in 25 yards, turn right on to a bridleway and follow an enclosed track for ¾ mile until it reaches a handgate and field. Climb the bank in front before walking across to the far left corner of the field to a gate and lane. turn right and follow the lane for ¾ mile to a minor crossroads before turning left along a cul de sac. Follow this lane for 600 yards to a junction in Hassage in front of Hassage House before turning right.
4. TRACK & Barn
Keep ahead along an unmetalled track and continue for 400 yards until an old barn appears on the right, ignoring one left turn along the way. Beyond the old barn, follow the track into a field and continue ahead to a point where the wall on the left ends. At this point, bear right and head downhill towards the clearly visible Mount pleasant Farm. Follow the well-defined path downhill to a footbridge that crosses a river. Beyond this bridge, walk ahead to a stile over a fence, keep ahead for a few paces before turning left along an enclosed bridleway. in 200 yards, beyond a gateway, follow an enclosed track for 600 yards back to Ringwell Lane in Norton. turn right back to the A366 before turning left to return to Norton school and Vicarage Lane.