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?