Walking in and around Winsham
The countryside around Winsham is beautiful; it is not rugged but for the most part comprises gentle
gradients and a mixture of grassland and wooded valleys, with gently flowing rivers and streams. It
is also blessed with a wonderful network of public footpaths and roads ,giving testimony to
Winsham’s long history, traceable back
to Roman times.
Many Winsham residents delight in regular walks around the parish, some on a more or less daily basis to
maintain personal well-being (not forgetting the dog!). Some also enjoy once a month organised walks, with a
leader,
and it is to these groups that this web page is, in the main, devoted.
|
|
**
|
Winsham Walkers -Walk on Thursday,1st August 2024
WINSHAM WALKERS A small group of keen walkers gathered at the war memorial in the village for this months 6.25 mile circular walk to Thorncombe and back. The weather was very warm and sunny, possibly deterring some regulars from the walk.
From the war memorial we walked down Church Street and into Court Street turning at the end along Wynards Lane to the B3162 at the Axe bridge. We carefully followed the B3162 the short distance under the railway bridge and up to Bere Farm. From here we meandered through the Bere Farm complex before following the route of the River Synderford through the meadows to Shedrick bridge where we crossed Wheelhouse Lane to continue to follow the rivers course before cutting off and rising gently across several fields and along a rather overgrown Blind Lane footpath to emerge into Thorncombe directly opposite the bottom end of Gribb View. We then followed Chard Street into the centre of the village where it was unanimously agreed we would stop for much needed refreshments at the village community shop & cafe.
Suitably refreshed and relieved, we continued from the cafe to follow the footpath between houses passing by the edge of the children's playground and following the footpath along the edge of two fields, passing the top end of Gribb View before climbing a stile into the relative cool of the woodland for a short distance and then the maize planted field, from where we had great views over Winsham, to arrive at Horseshoe Road. We walked a short distance along this road before taking the footpath off to go through fields, along tracks and Partway Lane passing Whistling Copse and Forde Abbey Farm to emerge onto the road opposite the track entrance to the old quarry. We then walked along the footpath that skirted the edge of the quarry before following meadow paths alongside the main Forde Abbey site to cross Whatley Lane and follow the field path alongside Ammerham Lane and then the lane itself over the railway bridge in Ammerham. We then cut off across the fields to return to the village via the edge of the church burial ground and Pooles Lane.
The next walk will be on Thursday 5th September. Any newcomers, not currently on my mailing list, and wishing to join future walks are welcome to contact me on the number below for details.
Dave Lester 30887
|
WINSHAM WALKERS
Started in 2000 by Peter and Mary Pye, it has more or less met regularly on the first Thursday of the month,
throughout
the years. There are no membership rules, and no subscriptions
the village in early 2021 from Gloucestershire and have always been keen walkers. As soon as Covid
restrictions would
allow they joined the group.
At the end of 2021, Peter and Mary Pye decided that they could no longer give the leadership that the group
needed, and the group was in danger of not being able to continue. Nobody wanted that to happen, so Dave
and Di agreed to take over the leadership; their initial hesitation came more from lack of knowledge of the
area than any
other reason.
Newcomers are welcome!
  |
Dave Lester New comers wishing to join are welcome to contact me. 01460 30887 (M)07960 916334 |
|
For those walking with the Winsham Walkers and Winsham Strollers groups, please note: All walkers that participate in these walks take part entirely at their own risk. Walkers are individually responsible for ensuring that they are properly equipped and physically fit enough to complete the walk, including negotiating stiles where necessary. Leaders will advise beforehand the length and difficulty of the walk. Exercising caution! Some general advice... One of the benefits of walking in a group is its safety. The general advice is if you walk alone, even in this relatively benign area, and especially off the beaten track, always wear suitable footwear and clothing, take your mobile phone and if you can, tell someone (or just leave a note somewhere) where you are going, and when you expect to be back. Remember, a badly sprained ankle can be as disabling as a broken leg-give people a chance to find you. It could save your life. Taking a map and a compass is always a good idea if you are going to more isolated places. |
