Thursday 7th December

West Mendip Walkers moderate 8.5mile circular walk from the Memorial Hall Trent, Sherbourne (DT9 4SW). We start from the Trent Memorial Hall car park and wind through the village heading through gentle countryside towards Sandford Orcas where we descend and pass the highly haunted manor house, famed for numerous ghostly sightings.

We follow the river along the Macmillan and Monarchs Ways before turning towards Ambrose Hill and Sherborne Golf Club where we continue on the Monarchs Way to the highest point of 489ft (149 metres). From here we wind our way back down to Trent and hope the Rose and Crown pub is open. Overall dog friendly but there are a number of short sections of country lane walking without footpaths.

OS Map Ex129 ST 5931856 What3words: shout.otherwise.bolts Start 9.30a.m. Park at Memorial Hall (DT9 4SW).

Register with Greg King Tel: 07789147199. WhatsApp or [email protected]

Thursday 14th December

West Mendip Walkers moderate 10.5mile circular walk from Castlebrook Inn, Compton Dundon (TA11 6PR).The walk starts from the carpark and heads off through the village, crossing the B3151 onto Dundon. The route then heads north across fields to Marshalls Elm where it joins the Polden Way, again crossing the B3151 and climbing Collard Hill to Admiral Hood Monument and on to Combe Hill. After crossing Combe Hollow we leave the Polden Way to follow tracks in a southerly direction through Great Breach Wood and Copley Wood. The route rejoins the Polden Way in a northerly direction following it through woodlands to Combe Hollow and on to the lane returning to the Castlebrook car park. There are a number of kissing gates and 3 stiles to climb over, at Combe Hollow there is a wooden bridge with 50 wooden steps to nagotiate. Total ascent 1,050ft (320m). Dog Friendly, although care must be taken along roads and on crossings. Sheep are used in land management over the Great Breach Wood Nature Reserve and are likely to be encountered (Countryside Code will apply).

OS Map Ex141 ST491327 What3words: lowest.validated.visitor Start 9.30a.m. Park at rear of Castlebrook Inn (TA11 6PR).

Register with Mark Atwell Tel: 07958 447102 WhatsApp or [email protected]

Thursday 21st December

West Mendip Walkers moderate 9.2mile circular walk from Stratton-on-the-Fosse Village Hall (BA3 4QQ). A walk through school grounds, fields and along a wooded river valley. From the village hall the route initially turns right along the pavement to enter the grounds of Downside Abbey School. It continues through Downside crossing two minor roads and just beyond Coalpit Lane on entering a wooded area the walk turns south to follow a river valley with Blacker's Hill on the left to reach a farm track in sight of T'other Side the Hill at which point the route heads west along the edge of Gurney Slade Bottom. At this point, the walk passes to the west of the stone quarry and proceeds in a northerly direction over Old Down to Strapestone. Here we turn right along a quiet country lane to Chilcompton and on through the village to the B3139 and turn left to walk along it until we pick up a path on the right which takes us back to our start point via Downside Abbey Home Farm. Total ascent 960ft (232m). Dog friendly although there are a number of stiles and roads to cross where dogs will need to be on a lead.

OS Map Ex142 ST659511 What3words: deduct.ringers.soggy Start 9.30a.m. Park at village hall (BA3 4QQ).

Register with Trevor Bird Tel: 07845 143906 WhatsApp or [email protected]

Thursday 28th December

West Mendip Walkers moderate to strenuous 11.5mile circular walk from Holford Bowling Green (TA5 1SA). On leaving the car park the route follows the road via Alfoxton House. It then ascends up to open moor land and continues to Bicknoller Post, Halsway Post and on to Hurley Beacon and then to Dead Woman's Ditch. After this the walk passes through a wooded section to Great Bear and the west flank of Dowsborough Fort before descending to Holford Combe and the car park. Dog friendly always mindful of sheep and ponies grazing on the moorland.

OS Map Ex140 ST154410 What3words: potions.describes.coughed Start 9.30a.m. Park in carpark at Holford Bowling Green (TA5 1SA).

Register with Andy Paterson Tel: 07749 999207 WhatsApp or [email protected]