On Sunday 10th August, five members of Westbury Walkers set off from Mere for a walk of nearly 12 miles, led by Selma Lavender.
They headed out of the town past the cemetery, across tarmac-pathed fields and the Shreen Water – where several dogs were taking a dip! – to Rook Street. After a few more fields and a short stretch of road they reached St. Matthew’s church at White Hill, now a private residence.
More fields, one of them now a golf driving range, led them to Wet Lane, then up to Barrow Street. A short break was taken by a shaded pond, before heading across to the road past the former Bison Centre. After walking through the Woodland Trust’s Mackintosh Davidson nature reserve, where there were blackberries to graze, a steady climb brought them to their lunch stop on Windmill Hill by the remains of an 18th century corn mill, with wide views over the Blackmore Vale.
The return route headed to the woods across Haddon Hill, before joining part of the Monarch’s Way (a 610-mile trail based on the route taken by Charles II during his escape after the battle of Worcester in 1651), through West Knoyle, bringing them almost back to Mere, with a final detour to see the former watermill at Burton.
It had been a warm, sunny walk across varied terrain, but with plenty of tree shade along the way to keep the walkers cool.
New members always welcome – for more information about the Westbury Walkers please email Paddy at westbury.walkers.uk@gmail.com
Report by Selma Lavender
