Thursday 2nd May

West Mendip Walkers moderate 10mile circular walk from near Alton Barnes (SN8 4LU), east of Devizes. The first part of the walk includes extensive views from the Pewsey Downs and across the path where it is thought the Sarsen stones at Stonehenge were hauled from their origin at West Woods near Marlborough. The centre part of the walk is through West Woods itself, towards the end of the bluebell season. The return to the start is via East Kennett.  

Dog friendly, very few stiles, but expect some livestock. 

OS Map Ex 157 SU 12770 65275 What3words: workroom.timer.strutting Start 9.30a.m. Park at Pewsey Downs car park (2kms north of Alton Barnes)

Register with David Lindop Tel: 07771 708490 or WhatsApp or [email protected]

Thursday 9th May

West Mendip Walkers moderate 9 mile circular walk from Ham Hill (TA14 6RW). The walk starts in an easterly direction along Monarchs Way, turning south and south west down Hollow Lane and across open grassland before turning east along Hockers Hill. The walk then turns south down Street Lane towards East Chinnock and then west towards West Chinnock. Before reaching the village, the walk turns northwards on the Liberty Trail which joins the Monarchs way. We follow this up the side of Ham Hill back to the start point.

OS Map Ex129 ST 47645 17021 What3words: mistaking.reject.seaweed Start 9.30a.m. Park at Long View car park on Ham Hill (TA14 6RW).

Register with Alyson Mair Tel: 07969 383071 or WhatsApp or [email protected]

Thursday 16th May

West Mendip Walkers moderate 10.5mile circular walk on the Quantocks from Nether Stowey (TA5 1NW). We walk through the village of Nether Stowey up Castle Street and Castle Hill before taking the first part of the Coleridge Way until we reach Broomsquires Cottage where we continue up Bin Combe through the oak woods. We follow the path uphill, crossing the Holford-Crowcombe road and climbing uphill again before turning and walking along the upper reaches of Lady's Combe until we emerge onto open moorland with a view of the Bristol Channel. We walk towards Woodlands Hill before turning down towards Combe Cottages following Holdford Combe upstream. We diverge up Frog Combe where we climb up onto the bare Quantock Top with stunning views all around. We then proceed towards Crowcombe Gate, crossing the Stowey-Crowcombe road and walking towards the Macmillan Way West before turning down past Great Quantock Farm. Our way then takes us past St David's Well and Quantock Combe towards Adscombe and the site of the late lamented Foxy Bean Cafe. Then we make for Over Stowey before walking back to our starting point.

There are a few stiles towards the end of the walk but all of them have been traversed successfully in the past. The walk is dog friendly although there maybe a some sheep and horses at Great Quantock Farm and Over Stowey.

OS Map Ex140 ST 19365 39517 What3words: corkscrew.couple.spaceship Start 9.30a.m. Park roadside near Medical Centre, Banneson Road

Register with Steve Chambers Tel:07977 057715 or WhatsApp or [email protected]

Wednesday 22nd May

West Mendip Walkers 12 mile linear walk from Ledbury Railway Station. We start our linear walk at the 19th century railway station in Ledbury and amble through the attractive Herefordshire town with its 17th century market hall, originally a grain store and church. We then climb through woods and open field tracks to reach St John the Baptist, Eastnor Church, originally built in Norman times, rebuilt in 1852. The walk then takes us past the mock 19th century Eastnor Castle, up into Eastnor Deer Park and steeply uphill to an obelisk, a monument to the local Somers family.

We now start the gradual ascent of Hangman's Hill and follow the ridge to the 2nd century iron-age fort on the Herefordshire Beacon. This is the second highest point of the walk at 338m where, on a clear day, there are splendid views over the Cotswolds, the Clee Hills in Shropshire and towards the Bristol Channel. We descend to the British Camp car park where there are refreshments and toilets. This may be a good spot for our packed lunch.

We continue to walk south to north following the ridge of the Malvern Hills towards the Wyche Cutting (toilets are available), an engineering feat of a passage hewn through ancient rock originally to enable the salt trains to move easily down to Bristol and on to France by the local salt king, John Corbett; then onwards to the Worcestershire Beacon, the highest point on the walk at 397m. It is said that on a clear day, views are possible over seven counties. The main path then leads to North Hill, which we walk around, finally descending to St Ann's Well, where we are told the late Queen Elizabeth would collect fresh spring water on her visits to Malvern, descending into the town, finishing at the pretty Victorian railway station in Great Malvern. We then take the train from Great Malvern back to Ledbury.

OS Map Ex190 SO 70889 38521 What3words: motels.full.whizzing Start 10.00a.m. Car parking at Ledbury Station (HR8 1AR).

Register with Paul Reynolds Tel:07943 906817 or WhatsApp or [email protected]

Thursday 23rd May

West Mendip Walkers strenuous 10 mile circular walk from the British Camp (WR13 6DW). Our walk starts at the British Camp car park, gathering at the lower right-hand corner. We climb to the Hill Fort summit with panoramic views of Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and the Severn Valley. This follows the route of the Three Choirs Way and the Geopark Way. We walk along paths mainly on the ridge, taking in Clutter's Cave, Midsummer Hill and Chase End Hill. 

Our return journey will follow the eastern side of the Hills returning to our start via Berrows Down and Tinkers Hill reservoir.

The walk has several step ascents and descents (total ascents 1900ft); however, the paths are mainly wide and easily accessible. No stiles.

OS Map Ex190 SO 76400 40634 What3words: flattered.delved.broached Start 9.30a.m. Park at British Camp (WR13 6DW)

Register with Paul Reynolds Tel:07943 906817 or WhatsApp or [email protected]

Thursday 30th May

West Mendip Walkers moderate 9 mile circular walk starting at East Harptree woods (BS40 6DA). From East Harptree Woods we'll make our way through the woods to the impressive Smitham Chimney and on out of the woods where on a good day there are great views of Chew Valley lake. We then proceed towards West Harptree via Beaconfield farm. We skirt around West Harptree on towards East Harptree village and from here we have a short walk through the village onto Coley and to the picturesque Litton reservoirs.

We will follow the upper path around both reservoirs exiting and making our way to Litton where we will walk through the village and join a footpath uphill through Hooks hill and Green Down making our way back to our start point. East Harptree woods is the highest point of the walk at 260 metres. There are a number of short sections of country lane walking without footpaths.

The walk is dog friendly, but there will be encounters with livestock, passing through farms and bird wildlife at Litton reservoir where dogs should be under strict control.

There is one stile which may need help from more than one walker to get the dogs over.

OS Map Ex141 ST 55966 54324 What3words: shoulders.braced.royally Start 9.30a.m. Car parking at East Harptree Woods (BS40 6DA)

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