West Shepton / Friars Oven / Darshill - 6 mls

An easy walk with superb views all the way round crossing Knowle Hill and Friars oven to return along the ridge above Croscombe, with good views to the coast on a clear day. This walk starts from the Mendip District Council car park Cannards Grave Road. Or if you prefer from The Bull Terrier, or The George, both in Croscombe. If you start from one of the pubs you will need to walk through Croscombe towards Shepton Mallet On the A371. passing the School to turn right into Duncart Lane, you then join the walk at No.4       

1. Exit the car park to the Cannards Grave road, turn right then cross the pedestrian crossing, turn right again and follow the footpath round into Compton Road, cross the road and turn right into Kingsland Road follow this for approx ½ mile until you come to Strode Way. Turn right into Strode Way and follow it under the old railway bridge and out to the road B3136. Turn left, and with great care walk up the road to turn right into the R.U.P.P. just before the old railway arch. Follow this as it changes from track to path, at the junction turn left and continue on to meet the road at the top, turn left cross the old railway bridge then turn right between the large stones to walk down Mill Lane (not signed). This can get muddy in places.                                  

2. On reaching the lane at the bottom turn right and walk up hill, where the road turns sharp right you take the stile on the left, cross the field to follow the hedge on your right downhill to a stile at the bottom. Ignore the stile but go through the small wooden gate on your right and head uphill to pass the water trough on your left to a small well-hidden gate at the top of the hill, head across this field slightly to the left to cross a stile next to a gate. The rocky outcrop on your right is the Friars Oven. Its’ worth a small detour to the top as the views are well worth the climb.                                                               

3.  Continue across this field to reach a gate with a steep drop the other side, from here head in the same direction to find a railway arch go under this, over the stile then half left to pass through two farm gates and into Dungeon Farm. On reaching the end of the building on your right, turn right and look for a kissing gate hidden in the trees up the bank on your left. Once through this head up hill towards the fingerpost you can see at the top. Turn right and with great care walk along the grass verge until you reach a junction at the top of a small hill. Look for a signpost and some steps on the left going up the bank to a stile. Once over the stile go half left to the far corner of the field where you cross a stile next to an old gate, you now drop down hill to a stile on the left of the houses at the bottom of the hill and down the concrete track to reach Duncart Lane.
                  
4.  Take the footpath that leads you in between the houses and the river (taking care not to fall in!!!) to reach a stile at the far side of the last house, from here aim uphill for the large tree next to which you cross a stile then follow the fence on your left to cross another stile, be careful not to miss this one. Once over this go down the slope then traverse across this field following the cattle track to a stile you will see on the far side. Go over this keeping in the same direction uphill towards an old trailer. Cross the open space which is always muddy and follow the hedge on your right. Where the hedge ends cross to the stone stile on the corner of the hedge ahead and follow the enclosed track over a broken stone stile across three more fields to reach and go through a kissing gate. Continue straight on behind the houses to eventually come out to St Peters Road, walk down towards Bowlish House  then turn right up Coombe Lane with the high wall on your left, soon you will reach some steps on your left, go up these and follow the road (Shaftsgate Avenue) out to the A371. Cross this into Pike Lane cross the road at the end into the footpath opposite, at the bottom turn right into Tipcote Hill and out to the main road, cross and turn right to walk up through the historic Town Street. Cross the road at the top and continue up the High Street to reach Park Road, Cross and take the paved footpath leading you between the council offices and back to the car park.