
WALK 10
KINGSDON
Cary Valley, the Charltons and Lytes Cary
Easy walking along tracks and country lanes
with good views
Distance 11.1 Km/6.8 miles
Total ascent/descent 75m
www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/22169202
Updated June 2024 Comments to [email protected]
1 From the bus-stop (GR516 262) go down School Road opposite the post box passing the village shop and a small green on the R. After 180m go L along Middle Street, over cross roads and at next junction continue ahead into Underwood Road. When tarmac ends at cross roads continue ahead into track and through gate (SP Charlton Mackrell). After 500m cross waymarked stile by metal gate and follow broad grassy track descending shallow valley. After 350m at next gateway go ahead 250m on clear path aiming directly ahead to large tree in hedge. Go through gate beneath tree then ahead through two gates over the River Cary. Follow 80m close to the fence on R to a metal gate, then ahead 100m to a wooden gate then 300m to L of barns ahead. Cross over bridge and follow track 200m to road [2.6Km]
2 (GR525 283) Go R for 30m then bear L through wooden gate (SP Charlton Court). Through metal gate, follow path with metal fence on L. After 250m enter enclosed path, which joins track to emerge at a road. Go L 60m then R along track 300m (SP War Memorial) to reach road. Go 90 degrees L along the road in front of the Memorial, pass under the railway and follow with great care ignoring L&R turns for a further 500m passing Charlton House(1) on the R to reach sharp L bend [1.4Km]
3 (GR529 291) Go R into Peddles Lane and after 200m when tarmac ends go through gate and continue ahead (SP Top Road). After 350m at next gate go R to skirt round disused quarry, cross railway line, then go R and follow track 400m bearing L to reach Top Road. Go L 300m (but go R after 50m to Charlton Adam church(2)) past The Abbey(3) and L into Broad Street by post box then R after 100m by Corner Cottage [1.5Km]
4 (GR538 288) Follow 400m to pub and just beyond its car park, go R through Bristol Gate (SP Cedar Lodge), keeping hedge on R. After 350m cross bridge and gate on R and aim to L of tree 90m ahead. Continue with ditch on R to reach a stile to an enclosed path to reach tarmac road. Go ahead for 250m, ignore R turn but turn L at the end of High Street into Chessels Lane. Follow for 600m and at T-junction go R 50m and turn L into track (SP Fosse Way) [2.1Km]
5 (GR534 280) Go along track for 1.1Km and watch with care for hedge gap with wooden post with red band. Go R along clear path across field to join hedge on L, passing allotments and pond, then bearing L through double wooden gate to reach a bend in drive to Lytes Cary(4). (Go ahead to visit if time permits) Go R along the drive for 400m to reach imposing gateway at road. Go L and almost immediately R (SP Kingsdon) and follow for 1 Km, descending at first to cros River Cary then ascending gently to the Kingsdon entry sign. Do not bear R along Lotment Hill but continue along Lower Rd past the village hall and bear R by the playing field to ascend Chapel Hill and School Road to reach the bus-stop [3.4Km]
FOR A SHORTER WALK Distance 7.2 Km/ 4.4 miles
Follow to end of point 1. Turn R and follow road with care for 800m to T‑junction and turn R (SP Yeovil) and after 100m at mini roundabout, fork L. After 400m go R into track at point 5.
For car travellers:
Park with care on the roadside. Middle Street (in Pt 1) has a small lay-by near the junction with North Town
Refreshments:
Fox & Hounds, Charlton Adam
Tea Room, Lytes Cary
Kingsdon Inn, Kingsdon
1 Charlton House was built by Thomas Lyte in 1726, with later extensions. It is built in local Lias stone and painted Ham stone
2 St Peter & St Paul, Charlton Adam has 14th Century origins with 15th Century additions and was restored in 1892. There is an interesting collection of monuments
3 The Abbey (Grade I listed) is built on the site of a 12th century chapel. The main building is 16th century
4 Lytes Cary (Grade I listed) has parts which date from the 14th Century. A Great Hall was added in the mid 15th century, and a Great Chamber and other rooms in 1533. The Lytes family sold the manor in the mid-eighteenth century and it is now owned by the National Trust.
2 (GR525 283) Go R for 30m then bear L through wooden gate (SP Charlton Court). Through metal gate, follow path with metal fence on L. After 250m enter enclosed path, which joins track to emerge at a road. Go L 60m then R along track 300m (SP War Memorial) to reach road. Go 90 degrees L along the road in front of the Memorial, pass under the railway and follow with great care ignoring L&R turns for a further 500m passing Charlton House(1) on the R to reach sharp L bend [1.4Km]
3 (GR529 291) Go R into Peddles Lane and after 200m when tarmac ends go through gate and continue ahead (SP Top Road). After 350m at next gate go R to skirt round disused quarry, cross railway line, then go R and follow track 400m bearing L to reach Top Road. Go L 300m (but go R after 50m to Charlton Adam church(2)) past The Abbey(3) and L into Broad Street by post box then R after 100m by Corner Cottage [1.5Km]
4 (GR538 288) Follow 400m to pub and just beyond its car park, go R through Bristol Gate (SP Cedar Lodge), keeping hedge on R. After 350m cross bridge and gate on R and aim to L of tree 90m ahead. Continue with ditch on R to reach a stile to an enclosed path to reach tarmac road. Go ahead for 250m, ignore R turn but turn L at the end of High Street into Chessels Lane. Follow for 600m and at T-junction go R 50m and turn L into track (SP Fosse Way) [2.1Km]
5 (GR534 280) Go along track for 1.1Km and watch with care for hedge gap with wooden post with red band. Go R along clear path across field to join hedge on L, passing allotments and pond, then bearing L through double wooden gate to reach a bend in drive to Lytes Cary(4). (Go ahead to visit if time permits) Go R along the drive for 400m to reach imposing gateway at road. Go L and almost immediately R (SP Kingsdon) and follow for 1 Km, descending at first to cros River Cary then ascending gently to the Kingsdon entry sign. Do not bear R along Lotment Hill but continue along Lower Rd past the village hall and bear R by the playing field to ascend Chapel Hill and School Road to reach the bus-stop [3.4Km]
FOR A SHORTER WALK Distance 7.2 Km/ 4.4 miles
Follow to end of point 1. Turn R and follow road with care for 800m to T‑junction and turn R (SP Yeovil) and after 100m at mini roundabout, fork L. After 400m go R into track at point 5.
For car travellers:
Park with care on the roadside. Middle Street (in Pt 1) has a small lay-by near the junction with North Town
Refreshments:
Fox & Hounds, Charlton Adam
Tea Room, Lytes Cary
Kingsdon Inn, Kingsdon
1 Charlton House was built by Thomas Lyte in 1726, with later extensions. It is built in local Lias stone and painted Ham stone
2 St Peter & St Paul, Charlton Adam has 14th Century origins with 15th Century additions and was restored in 1892. There is an interesting collection of monuments
3 The Abbey (Grade I listed) is built on the site of a 12th century chapel. The main building is 16th century
4 Lytes Cary (Grade I listed) has parts which date from the 14th Century. A Great Hall was added in the mid 15th century, and a Great Chamber and other rooms in 1533. The Lytes family sold the manor in the mid-eighteenth century and it is now owned by the National Trust.