After rescheduling the 7-8 mile walk due to storm damage the previous weekend, on 15th December, only two members of the walking group were available to join the walk leaders, Liz and Mike Self.
Starting with a steep climb from the shop in Mells village, the route took the group towards Whatley Quarry. Shortly after passing the quarry entrance, the path led back into the woods and crossed to the Whatley-to-Chantry road. A continued woodland track brought the group to a small lane, where they stopped for coffee. This section of Mells Lane still exists, though much of it was demolished around 25 years ago to allow for the quarry’s expansion.
The East Mendip Way was joined at this point via a bridleway. Along the path, a large ash tree, blown over during the storm, had smashed through the roof of a barn housing cattle for the winter. Another windblown ash tree had blocked the bridleway before the group exited onto the road and entered the path around the smaller Halecombe Quarry, where they stopped for lunch.
A short retracing of the route was needed to navigate around the fallen tree. The walk then continued down the opposite side of Whatley Quarry to a viewing point offering a stunning view into the vast quarry below. From there, the group rejoined the other end of the old Mells Lane. A walk along it, combined with another footpath, brought the group back to Mells village.
Report by Mike Self
