SOUTH SOMERSET CIRCLE 11
Bruton to Wincanton 21.2Km 358m ascent
www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5442670801/
March 2023 Comments to [email protected]
Bruton to Wincanton 21.2Km 358m ascent
www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5442670801/
March 2023 Comments to [email protected]
NOTE: This section has veered slightly away from the district boundary for ease of transport connections.
Some of the footpaths in this area are in a poor state, so there is a long section of minor road followed by sections of McMillan Way (a 470Km trail from Boston to Abbotsbury) and Monarch’s Way (a 1000Km trail approximating the escape route taken by King Charles II after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester.
11.1 (GR 684 348) From the church, cross the bridge over the River Brue and go ahead up narrow lane past Patwell House 90m to main road (A359) and go R. After 350m where main road goes sharp L, continue ahead (SP Brewham) along this pleasant lane roughly parallel to the railway line. After 2.3Km pass under the railway at bridge. Continue along the road 2Km passing through North Brewham to reach the pub. Continue another 3.4Km and just before a yellow cottage locate a small parking area and double gates on R
11.2 (GR 755 371) Go through double gates (SP McMillan Way) and follow broad hard surface track. After 250m go straight (not R) ascending gently at first, then meandering through very pleasant woodlands ignoring side tracks. After just over 1Km at fork, follow waymark ahead (not R). Continue 1.8Km with good views as you leave the woods, to reach a road and head straight across.
If you have time and don’t mind a steep climb, go L up the road 250m to King Alfred’s Tower for fantastic views (open only weekends & bank holidays)
11.3 (GR 743 351) Continue (SP McMillan Way) on track descending gently for 400m to join another track then undulating 600m to reach a crossroads of tracks. Go R descending 100m to reach a barrier and exit from Stourhead Western Estate and shortly join Pen Hill. After 250m go ahead (not L) at fork and ascend on tarmac road. Continue 2.5Km along this quiet lane mostly through woodlands to fork and go L (SP Zeals) to reach Penselwood village green - a pleasant setting with a bench to rest
11.4 (GR 755 315) Just before the village green take the second road on R descending 100m to a junction. Go ahead along a rough track and follow 400m to enter the Stavordale Estate and continue ahead 50m to a track junction. Go L 20m then R (SP Monarch’s Way - well signed all the way to Wincanton) and follow descending quite steeply through woods. Leave woods via a Bristol gate and into field through a second gate. Go ahead keeping boundary on R, then straight across field to a wooden gate to join a tarmac drive. Go L and follow 1Km to reach a road (B3081). Go straight across and follow 400m to turn sharp R and after 130m go L over stile and follow waymark to L corner of field. Go through gateway and continue ahead to gateway by tree then across field 350m to stile by gate to road. Go L along road 600m and as it starts to ascend go L over stile and follow field edge with hedge on R then bearing L to stile. Go ahead passing large pond on L to another stile by gate. Go ahead to gate then a double stile and bridge and then another bridge over the River Cale. Go ahead up narrow muddy path 50m then R to cross stile and across field to a double stile (or 30m L a gateway). Bear slightly L uphill to a stile at far side of field (about 70m to L of gateway) and look behind for a great view. Go ahead climbing towards trees, with a view to Wncanton Racecourse to R, then bear L to join fence to metal gate in far corner to join tarmac road. Go R 200m to sharp L turn then descend steeply 100m to High Street. Go R 100m then L to reach the Memorial Hall (GR 716 286)
Bus services run from Yeovil and Street to Wincanton and Bruton. The Wincanton to Street service runs via Bruton. For timetables see www.travelinesw.com/
Suggested transport plan:-
Drive to Wincanton and park in the Memorial Hall car park (free)
Catch bus to Bruton Church and walk back to Wincanton
Some of the footpaths in this area are in a poor state, so there is a long section of minor road followed by sections of McMillan Way (a 470Km trail from Boston to Abbotsbury) and Monarch’s Way (a 1000Km trail approximating the escape route taken by King Charles II after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester.
11.1 (GR 684 348) From the church, cross the bridge over the River Brue and go ahead up narrow lane past Patwell House 90m to main road (A359) and go R. After 350m where main road goes sharp L, continue ahead (SP Brewham) along this pleasant lane roughly parallel to the railway line. After 2.3Km pass under the railway at bridge. Continue along the road 2Km passing through North Brewham to reach the pub. Continue another 3.4Km and just before a yellow cottage locate a small parking area and double gates on R
11.2 (GR 755 371) Go through double gates (SP McMillan Way) and follow broad hard surface track. After 250m go straight (not R) ascending gently at first, then meandering through very pleasant woodlands ignoring side tracks. After just over 1Km at fork, follow waymark ahead (not R). Continue 1.8Km with good views as you leave the woods, to reach a road and head straight across.
If you have time and don’t mind a steep climb, go L up the road 250m to King Alfred’s Tower for fantastic views (open only weekends & bank holidays)
11.3 (GR 743 351) Continue (SP McMillan Way) on track descending gently for 400m to join another track then undulating 600m to reach a crossroads of tracks. Go R descending 100m to reach a barrier and exit from Stourhead Western Estate and shortly join Pen Hill. After 250m go ahead (not L) at fork and ascend on tarmac road. Continue 2.5Km along this quiet lane mostly through woodlands to fork and go L (SP Zeals) to reach Penselwood village green - a pleasant setting with a bench to rest
11.4 (GR 755 315) Just before the village green take the second road on R descending 100m to a junction. Go ahead along a rough track and follow 400m to enter the Stavordale Estate and continue ahead 50m to a track junction. Go L 20m then R (SP Monarch’s Way - well signed all the way to Wincanton) and follow descending quite steeply through woods. Leave woods via a Bristol gate and into field through a second gate. Go ahead keeping boundary on R, then straight across field to a wooden gate to join a tarmac drive. Go L and follow 1Km to reach a road (B3081). Go straight across and follow 400m to turn sharp R and after 130m go L over stile and follow waymark to L corner of field. Go through gateway and continue ahead to gateway by tree then across field 350m to stile by gate to road. Go L along road 600m and as it starts to ascend go L over stile and follow field edge with hedge on R then bearing L to stile. Go ahead passing large pond on L to another stile by gate. Go ahead to gate then a double stile and bridge and then another bridge over the River Cale. Go ahead up narrow muddy path 50m then R to cross stile and across field to a double stile (or 30m L a gateway). Bear slightly L uphill to a stile at far side of field (about 70m to L of gateway) and look behind for a great view. Go ahead climbing towards trees, with a view to Wncanton Racecourse to R, then bear L to join fence to metal gate in far corner to join tarmac road. Go R 200m to sharp L turn then descend steeply 100m to High Street. Go R 100m then L to reach the Memorial Hall (GR 716 286)
Bus services run from Yeovil and Street to Wincanton and Bruton. The Wincanton to Street service runs via Bruton. For timetables see www.travelinesw.com/
Suggested transport plan:-
Drive to Wincanton and park in the Memorial Hall car park (free)
Catch bus to Bruton Church and walk back to Wincanton