Abbas & Templecombe - Circular Walk - (Written & Walked by Peter Andrew)

These pages have been reproduced from the original document (without pictures) and amended for inclusion to this web site. If you require to print these pages, then it is recommended that you select 'Landscape' option from your PRINT menu. The Abbas & Templecombe Circular Walk guide has now been published, in hard copy and copies of this booklet are available from Westcombe stores, newsagents and the Parish council clerk.  Contact (01963) 370527 for details.

"Working in Partnership with SSDC. © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. South Somerset District Council - LA100019471 - 2007"

The Full circle will take 4 to 5 hours. You can of course join or leave the route at various places (indicated by Blue text).

To follow the route by map use: - Ordnance Survey Explorer 129 - 1:25 000 Scale

Please follow the Countryside code

STOP - LOOK & LISTEN 

A “ Guide to Public rights of way” is available from:- South Somerset District Council

Tel: - 01935 462462

NOTES

 

1. Please remember that although you have the right to walk on Public Rights of Way the land you cross often belongs to the farming community.

     - For farmers the fields are a food production area. Please treat them as such.

2. For most footpaths and tracks you need to be able to cross stiles and open & close heavy gates.

3. Good footwear and a drink are a good idea.

4. Please report any problem areas to the parish council:- 01963 370527

 

Circular Walk (Part 1)
St Mary’s Church to Bowden Road (1 Hour)
1. Start by walking down Lily Lane opposite St. Mary's Church.
2. Continue to the end of Lily Lane.
3. Through the gate into fields.
4. Straight on through the Bristol Gate
5. After about 100 Yards turn left to cross the railway bridge
6. Follow the Yellow arrows all the way up to Bowden Lane beside Newleaze Farm
7. Have a look over your shoulder on the way up for views to Alfreds Tower.
8.* Note If you turn left the road will take you back to Bowden Rd. Templecombe.
9. To continue the walk (Part 2) turn left and then right (sign for Yenston).
 
Circular Walk  (Part 2)
Bowden Road to Yenston  (1 Hour 30 Mins)
10.

Crossing Bowden Lane heading towards Templecombe 100 yards on, take the footpath on the right signed to Yenston. 
11. Walk diagonally across the field towards the gap.
12. Then head for the woods but DO NOT go straight on through the gate but instead follow the edge of the woods to the L/H corner.
13. In the corner you will find a stile making a short excursion into “Martins Copse”.
14. Again follow the hedge on the side of the copse for a further two stiles and a second excursion into the copse.  Further along the hedge turn right over the stile beside a gate.
15. Follow the yellow arrows through a further stile and up onto Windmill Hill.
16. From the top of the hill make for the gate leading to a concreted track, towards the farm buildings.
17. Through another gate then, half way down the track, turn diagonally left to the corner of the field passing the power line pole.
18. Proceed carefully through the kissing gate and out onto the main A357.
19.* Note Turn left to return to Templecombe High Street.
20. To continue the walk (part 3) turn left, then right down Common Lane.
 
Circular Walk (Part 3)
Yenston to Temple Lane (1 Hour)
21. Proceed down Common Lane, Yenston from A 357
22.* Note Opposite Gartell Railway a footpath takes you back to Templecombe East Street (follow the yellow arrows)
23. Continue down Common Lane. At the end of the track, enter the field and head for the left hand corner where you will find a gate.
24. Through the gate and straight on through another gate until you come to Moormill Bridge on Temple Lane.
25.* Note Turn left and Temple Lane will lead back to Templecombe, via East Street.
26. To continue the walk turn right and follow Temple Lane for about ½ Mile where you enter fields via a stile on the left hand side of the road.
 
Circular Walk (Part 4)
Temple Lane to Slades Hill  (2 Hrs )
27. Enter field from the stile by the Telephone junction box.
28. Cross the field to the Railway Level Crossing OBEY THE SIGNS and cross the track.
29. Follow the “boardwalk “, crossing the stile and keeping to the left of the field.  Pass through the gate and you join a bridle path indicated by blue arrows. Continue straight on.
30.* Note If you turn left through two gates it leads through to Throop Road, and back to Templecombe.
31. Follow the bridle way across two fields.  You cross diagonally right in the third field, through the gate followed by two small fields and gates.  At this point you leave the bridle path by turning LEFT. A yellow arrow can be seen looking back towards the gate.
32. Go through the gate on the right, of the two gates in front of you.  Yellow arrows can again be seen.  Head towards the farm buildings that can now be seen (Marshbarn Farm). Aim for the right hand hedge where eventually a concrete path is found.
33. At the Farm take the second gate on the LEFT, again well marked with arrows.  Go in the direction of the arrows even though there appears to be no exit.  In the hedge you will find a bridge & stile.
34. Follow the direction of the yellow arrows carefully.  Again the stiles are hidden until you are close to them.  When you reach two stiles beside one another take the LEFT one.  (The right hand one leads to Horsington).
35. Templecombe should soon be in sight.  The arrow in the corner of the field beside the entrance to the game farm is in WHITE indicating a permissive path.  This will lead you to a bridge and eventually the High Street, near Slades farm
36.* Note Just before this gate on the left is a track leading to Throop Lane
37. Upon reaching the High Street TURN LEFT for the Church and under the bridge for the ROYAL WESSEX public house.

 

Map