Nigel Vile’s walk
Axbridge is a charming town, with an enviable location at the foot of the Mendip Hills. Around its square are a number of fine old buildings, including the town hall, the Lamb inn and St John’s Church, with the current grade i-listed building dating back to the 15th century. Pride of place, however, must go to King John’s Hunting Lodge, a National Trust property that now houses a local history museum. it is well worth a visit, but beware of the wonderfully uneven floors! The once navigable Cheddar Yeo is followed through to neighbouring Cross, with contrasting views depending upon whether you look left or right. To the left lie the flat lowlands of the Somerset Levels, low-lying wetland drained by a series of rhynes. To the right is a panoramic view of the Mendip Hills, stretching from Crook Peak and Wavering down through to Cheddar and the hilltops above Wells. Having passed through Cross, the walk passes through King’s Wood. This ancient broad-leaved woodland could well have been King John’s hunting ground all those years ago. it was certainly a royal hunting forest, and there are the remains of a protective medieval bank-and-ditch. A steep climb follows up through Shute Shelve, a Site of Special Scientific interest owned by the National Trust, onto the Mendip hilltops high above Axbridge. The views are spectacular, initially looking west towards Weston, the bristol Channel and the South Wales coast. Further on are expansive views across huge swathes of central Somerset, with glastonbury Tor rising above the Somerset Levels being but one landmark. A very steep descent follows back into Axbridge, where thoughts will turn to rest and refreshment. The Lamb is an old-fashioned coaching inn dating from 1480, with beams, fireplaces and other traditional accoutrements. if your preference is for the “cup that cheers but doth not inebriate” – to quote William Cowper – then visit the Almshouse Tea Shop. One American visitor awarded it 11/10 on account of its fine cream teas, service and surroundings. even wellbehaved dogs are welcome and will be offered a complementary sausage!
GETTING THERE
Axbridge lies just off the A371 west of Cheddar, shortly before its junction with the A38. Leave the main road and drive down to the square in the middle of this small town where you will find the Lamb inn. Follow the signs to the car park in Moorland Street, just off the square.
AXBRIDGE
With your back to the Lamb inn, follow West Street to the right, passing King John’s Hunting Lodge. in 350 yards, join and follow the main A371 ahead. in 150 yards, by a right turn to bristol, turn left down an access road to Townsend Farm. Having passed a series of sheds, continue along a farm track for 600 yards to reach the Cheddar Yeo. Cross this river, turn right and follow a path for 600 yards to a bridge. Cross the river and follow a track to the left along to the A38. Cross the A38 and follow a track opposite alongside the Yeo to the next bridge, join a road and turn right into Cross.
CROSS
in 250 yards, at a junction with the Old Coach road, turn right and walk through the village for 600 yards to a footpath on the left opposite a bungalow called Medina. Turn left and follow a stony path up to a gate, before following a bridlepath around to the right. ignoring all side turns, follow this bridlepath ahead for ¾ mile through King’s Wood to reach a property and a car park on the right. Walk through the car park, cross a road and follow the footpath opposite through to the A38.
SHUTE SHELVE
Turn left, walking up towards a garage, cross the main road and follow a driveway opposite signposted the West Mendip Way. in 150 yards, at a junction, follow the public footpath to the right to reach the NT Shute Shelve property. Continue walking uphill to reach a gate and stile before continuing along the track ahead uphill to another gate at the exit from this NT property. Follow the track ahead, bounded by stone walls, for 600 yards to a handgate and footpath on the left. At this point, pass through a gap in the hedgerow on the right before walking across to a handgate in the far right corner of the field ahead. Walk ahead in the next field to a gate where a marker post indicates the path is directly ahead.
DOWNHILL TO AXBRIDGE
The path is blocked by bushes so turn left and, in 20 yards, turn right to walk around this obstruction. Continue walking downhill along the right edge of the field to a stile on the right, just past a telegraph pole. Cross this stile and turn left, walking downhill to reach a gate and junction of paths. Continue ahead, still dropping downhill, before following a stepped path on the left in 250 yards down to the A371. Cross over and walk around the right edge of a netball court before dropping down some steps to a footpath. Follow this path to the right to a junction, turn left down to Axbridge Church and the square. Turn right back to the Lamb.