West Bay (Broadchurch) Walk Dorset - South West Coast Path

West Cliff

View from East Cliff

West Bay, Dorset is the Golden Gateway to the Jurassic Coast. We have made the short mile and a half journey south from Bridport. During the Summer months it is a major destination for holidaymakers. There are still a number of people milling around today. Apparently Boxing Day is traditionally when the locals brave a swim in the sea. All the kiosks that sell 'Fish and Chips' and 'Donuts' are all closed up though until the better weather returns.  We walk along the sea front towards 'West Cliff'. The walk is limited though due to the eroding landscape. The coastline faces southwest, the direction of the prevailing winds toward the Atlantic Ocean. As a result the cliff is very prone to 'rock falls'. We go back and take the cliff slope instead. If we carried on the next place on the map would be 'Eype'. Said to be more secluded and peaceful than more well know spots on the Jurassic Coast. 

On first inspection the climb up to the top of 'East Cliff'  looks quite daunting. With my 'dodgy knee' I ruled out any such climb, sticking to a wander along the beach .However, the spirit of adventure got the better of me. I t was something that simply had to be done. It wasn't too bad climbing up! The views from the top were superb as well as the 18 hole Bridport and West Dorset Golf Course. There are smashing views inland too. The two highest points in Dorset, Pilsdon Pen, and Lewesdon Hill are both visible.The signature hole, the 6th, is only 129 yards long but has a drop of over 90 feet with one commentator rating it in the top 100 holes in the world.If I had continued I would have reached Burton Bradstock/ Burton Freshwater. Getting back down the hill was a lot trickier though. It was damp and the ground was slippy, putting a lot of pressure on my knee. All's well that ends well though , as they say. I'm quite relieved to reach the beach again. The East Cliff is protected to a degree by the East Beach, though it is still eroded by wave attrition, and pounding at its base, resulting in rock falls.

 

East Cliff Monument

The harbour and Marina area is an attractive place to visit. The town, harbour, and beach have all been used as locations in various TV shows. We only found out after our visit that the ITV Series 'Broadchurch' was filmed here in 2013. Local tourism received a massive boost following the shows. We had never actually seen it, so quickly set about catching up on the crime drama. The 'stars' of 'Broadchurch' include David Tennant and Olivia Colman. There are three seasons (24 episodes) in total, and well worth a watch. It has been good fun discovering the series and spotting places that we have visited.Although I'm a bit miffed I somehow failed to get a picture of the famous 'Broadchurch Cliff Face. ....

Colmers Hill Walk - Symondsbury Estate Dorset

I spotted Colmers Hill last year as we drove out to visit 'Golden Cap'. I had no idea at the time that it was called 'Colmers Hill'. It did look an an interesting place to visit though. A little studying of the O/S map, and a search on Google revealed that it  was part of the Symondsbury Estate.    

Symondsbury village is set in an are of natural beauty in Dorset. We are about a mile and a half west of Bridport. Symondsbury Estate stretches over 1500 acres of farmland and ancient woodland. After parking up in the large car park, we cut through   Manor Yard, consisting of a Home & Garden Store,   speciality food and gift shops, and a cafe. We would visit these on our return. We walked down in to the village past the pub and the church.   

Hell Lane

Colmers Hill’s significance extends back into the 1600’s where it was long called the Colmers Tenement in the Lord of the Manor’s Court Rolls. In about 1650, Elizabeth Lush, the daughter of John Colmer, was the tenant. This is where Colmers Hill got its name from.Two hundred years later in the 1800’s a vicar of the same family name, Rev. John Colmer, was the new tenant. The hill then became ‘Colmers’ again after two hundred years.

 It's a bit misty today which is a shame as  the views from the top are said to be superb. With a panoramic views of the sea, and the beautiful rolling hills of the Dorset countryside.

Getting to the hill we walk up part of 'Hell Lane'.The infamous smugglers pathway. It would have started as drovers’ roads or pilgrims’ paths, worn down by human feet, hooves of horses and cattle, and wheels of carts heading to market. 

 

 

Walking up Colmers Hill takes about 45 minutes. It is a pleasant short walk with a steep but steady slope taking you to the summit. This trail is a permissive path. During World War I, John Sprake, woodman to Thomas Alfred Colfox, planted Caledonian Pine on the top of the hill. Sir John Colfox then planted Monterey Pine in 2006. The trees have since grown into what is now the iconic silhouette you see today. It would have been good to complete a circular walk. However this would have involved a road stretch on the busy A35. In the interests of safety we decide to retrace our route on this occasion. 

The parish church of St John the Baptist is in Early English style and cruciform shape, it has a nave, transepts, south porch and square tower with six small bells and a clock. It looks very fitting at this festive time of year.The registers date from 1558. Records show that the first rector arrived in 1325. In the north and south transept there are spyholes, known as 'Squints'. through which the congregation could see the priest at the altar. We make our way back through the village for a well deserved hot beverage. 

Just time to check out the the Pigs and the Donkeys that live at Symondsbury in the Animal viewing area. The resident donkeys Ethel and Florence soon did a disappearing act.Lured away by a young lad with a bag of carrots.

The two rare breed Oxford Sandy & Black sows, Blueberry & Snuffle, who have lived together since they were 8 weeks old. They have recently given birth to a set of piglets. Some of the other animals have been put away for the Winter until the warmer Spring weather.

It is a cracking place to visit and make the 45 minute detour up to the top of the hill. Perhaps the next time we visit it will be a little clearer. We might even get to see the sea?  

 

The Market Harborough Round (1) Lubenham & Marston Trussell

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Exciting times ! The first leg of another Long Distance Footpath. 'The Market Harborough Round' is a circular route taking in many of the villages around MH. It also takes in part of Northamptonshire such as West Haddon, Coton an the Naseby Battlefields. In total a distance of 114.1 km (70.9 miles). We will be doing circular routes as usual, rather than a linear path. Looking at the route there will be several areas that have been covered off in other walks. These will no doubt include the 'Brampton Valley Way' and the 'Jurassic Way'..  
Today though we are starting out in the village of Lubenham, Leics. A cold and frosty morning it is too. We head out in a southerly direction into open countryside. It is difficult walking as the ground is rock solid from the overnight frost.

The landscape is painted white, where 'Jack Frost' has been busy overnight. 

A slight detour from the map uncovers something rather interesting. Somewhere between Lubenham and Est Farndon is a huge stone. Looking like half of a giant Burger it is known locally as 'The Judith Stone'. It is rumoured to have been deposited by a glacier. a local landmark, the stone was used as a boundary marker.

The Judith in question was a niece of William the Conqueror, and was granted land hereabouts.

 

It's a bit of a climb as we head towards the village of Marston Trussell. To our left there are great views of Market Harborough in the distance. A little further on and we are officially on the 'MH Round'. Marston Trussell has sat by the start of the Welland River on the Northamptonshire / Leicestershire border for well over 1000 years. was in flood at the time of the Battle of Naseby in 1645 which led to a massacre of retreating Royalists who were trapped between the river and the church; this area is known locally as Slaughterford field. We are lucky to spot a Woodcock, several Snipe and Lapwings as we cross towards the Church. 

St Nicholas Church

Pudding Bag End

There is folklore that King Charles seems to have hidden up an Oak tree whilst retreating defeated. Hence the common pub name 'The Royal oak'. 

Chieftan Tank

Hawker Sea Hawk

The path takes us through a farm, which seems to specialise in tanks and old aircraft. The plane pictured over my right shoulder is a Jet Provost Trainer. It would have seen service with the RAF between 1955-1993. There is also a 'Hawker Sea Hawk' which would have first flown in 1947. Designed by Sidney Camm, who also designed the Hurricane of Battle of Britain fame. Slightly further on we pick up the Grand Union  Canal path heading towards Foxton Locks.The canal is frozen over, the narrow towpath is particularly tricky, this could all end badly...      

Foxton Locks is a Grade II listed site, and home to the longest, steepest staircase flight of locks in Britain. Staircase locks are used where a canal needs to climb a steep hill, and consist of a group of locks where each lock opens directly into the next. Building work on the locks started in 1810 and took four years.

We stop briefly at the Pub at Foxton Locks. A very friendly Robin pays us a visit in the hope of a snack. 

Leaving the canal we head back towards Lubenham via Foxton Village. We are in the shadow of the High Security Gartree Prison. We could just follow the road back to Lubenham, that would be a bit dull though. We would not have met the very friendly sheep pictured left either. I'm not sure what breed it was? But it was large, with thick wiry wool. We were to pass several more sheep and a Goat. We are starting to lose the light as we approach Lubenham via the steep 'Mill Hill'. On the hill there is a a beacon which was made for HM the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. It has has been lit on special royal occasions, such as the jubilee and the Queen's 90th birthday. 

Mill Hill Beacon

We are parked up close to All Saints' Church, the medieval church at the centre of the village. There is a flashing Christmas Tree in the Churchyard. It all looks very picturesque as the walk comes to it's end. 

A good start to the Market Harborough Round I should say! In total we have covered a distance of 10.82 miles.

 

Heart of England Way (5) Chipping Campden and Mickleton

A bright and frosty start to the walk today which sees us back at Chipping Campden. We will be following the Heart of England way as far as Mickleton. We then circle our way back to the starting point. We had only gone a few yards when we were stopped by a van asking if we knew where the Cricket Club was located? Unable to help, we wished hm luck and continued on our way. Some thirty yards later we passed the Cricket Club....   We then passed through the meadow that crossed on our last walk down here. We got a different view of the splendid St James Church. Great views they are too under the clear blue skies.There is an archway that acts as an 'Eyecatcher'  which makes for a good photo opportunity. I don't recall seeing that last time? Maybe it's because there are no leaves on the trees at this time of year and things are a little clearer. Passing through the town is not without excitement though!

There was a distinct smell of burning in the air. As we progressed smoke was bellowing from the side of a house.  Next to one of the thatched cottages a 'Wheelie Bin' was on fire... 

We 'wheeled' the blazing Bin out into the street and tried to alert the owners. Unable to raise the occupants we set about pouring our water bottles on the fire. Luckily help was close by, St James Church rooms had a coffee morning in place. Once the shout went out they were quickly on the scene with bowls of washing up water to douse the flames. Tragedy was averted and calmness was quickly returned.Someone had clearly decided it was a good idea to put hot coals from the fire, into a plastic Bin! Our good deed done we set off on the H Of E Way. 

Two miles to the south of Mickleton we pass a sign marking 'The Battle of Mickleton Tunnel in 1851'.The site of the 'last pitched battle between two private armies on UK soil. As i understand it, Brunel was overseeing the mile long construction of a tunnel on the Oxford - Worcester line. The contractors made slow progress and were threatened with the sack. As a last resort they barricaded themselves in the tunnel. Brunel put together an army of his men and a mass brawl involving 3,000 men broke out. Brunel was eventually victorious but resigned before the tunnel was completed. 

We are starting a steady climb now as we head towards Baker's Hill and Woods. The views are excellent with the frost laying heavy where the sun hasn't reached.

It was in the woods that we stumbled upon the 'Belgian Soldier Tree'.

During the First World War wounded Belgian soldiers recovered at Mickleton Hall , as it was being used for a hospital. It is assumed that one of the Soldiers wandered into the woods and carved the outline of a Belgian soldier.It may well have been a self portrait, nobody really knows. It looks like a name an initials were originally carved along with the date.Over time these have become unreadable. Amazingly it has stood the test of time very well, and is clear and looks great. I notice on some nearby trees that some of the locals seem to have engaged in some carving of their own. 

Another Belgian soldier died at the hospital. He was buried in St. Lawrence Church in Mickleton, where his grave can still be seen.

 

We have reached Mickleton, the northernmost village in Gloucestershire. We are eight miles south of Stratford Upon Avon.

 

The church is situated at the foot of the Cotswold escarpment below Kiftsgate and Hidcote. Part of the church dates to the 12th Century and is Grade I  listed.

Church of St Lawrence Mickleton

We leave the H of E Way behind as we loop back towards our start point. I'm quite grateful as there is a large hill looming, that though will have to wait until our next venture to these parts. Additionally my knee is struggling again, particularly descending hills. We are not out of the woods completely however, a few steep slopes to negotiate here too. There is also a beautiful valley as we climb towards Hidcote Manor. one of the best-known and most influential 'Arts and Crafts' Gardens in the UK.It is now owned by the National Trust and is open to the public. It was originally created by the talented American horticulturist, Major Lawrence Johnston from 1910 onwards. There are some lovely 'Cotswold Cottages' dotted around the Manor which look very seasonal with their brushing of frost. Looking at the map we seem to have to walk right through 'Hidcote House' a little further on. We certainly passed close to the front door emerging to a short road stretch.   

The sun is shining brightly on the pale Cotswold Stone of 'Hidcote House'. Don't be mislead though, it is still pretty fresh in the shade. We are also starting to lose the light as well. 

The shadows are starting to lengthen, as we cross through several fields. 

Typically these also happen to be the muddiest fields too. Always the way it seems that you get muddy right before the end of the walk.  

 

The end is now in sight, thankfully. It has been difficult in places with the frost and ice when negotiating the various hills. That said It has been a fantastic and memorable walk with great scenery. Who knows what the next leg will have in store? Bound to be a  surprise or two I don't doubt!

This walk came in at exactly 10.7 miles.