Westbury Walkers get going in 2014

WESTBURY Walkers finally got going in 2014 after eventually finding a gap in the bad weather. 

Westbury Walkers report, “Due to bad weather the New Year’s Day walk had to be cancelled.  However, this was more than compensated for when, on Sunday 12th January, 23 members met at the University of Bath to do a most interesting 8.5 mile walk led by Teressa and Brian Mitchard, the highlight of which was a 2 mile walk through the recently opened Combe Down Tunnel.

“Leaving the University of Bath from the west car park they made their way to Rainbow woods where they joined the Bath Skyline path and continued towards Rainbow Wood House at which point they followed a steep path down through the field to Lyncombe Vale.  There was still ice on the surface from the early morning frost which resulted in one walker having an unexpected confrontation with the ground!  The group then followed the path and road through the quiet suburbs of Lyncombe Vale to the public footpath that would take them to Combe Down tunnel.

“The tunnel was opened in 1874 and closed 1966. Wessex Water now own it and on the 6th April 2013 it was re-opened as a cycle/walking path.  It took about 20 minutes to walk through the tunnel and the walkers were impressed by the quality of the workmanship which had gone into its restoration.

“On leaving the tunnel and walking over Tucking Mill viaduct, they made their way to Midford and took another footpath to Monkton Combe.  From here it was a long and steep climb back up to Combe Down through Rainbow Woods again and back to the University.”

Report by Teressa Mitchard