Mendip Ring +

Circular. Westhay, Ashcott Corner, Godney 11.5 Miles

This walk starts at the Westhay Moor Nature Reserve Grid Ref. ST456437. This walk follows White's River and the River Brue to reach Westhay it then follows the old railway trackbed passing the historic Sweet Track on the way through the nature reserve to Ashcott Corner before taking us up to Stileway then back over the River Brue passing the Abbotts Fish House on the way, and back to Westhay Moor Nature reserve via Godney.

1.
From the car park turn left out to the road continue straight ahead following the road round to the right and on reaching London Drove on your right, turn left down the track opposite following this round to the left towards the farm, go over the bridge (you cannot follow the line of the path due to a missing bridge) Once over the bridge turn right and follow the path across the field to the bridge you can see over White's River, once over the bridge turn right and follow the river until you reach the next bridge cross back over the river turn left and walk along the bank to reach the main road at Westhay Bridge.

2.
Turn left along the road into the village, where the road bends to the left continue straight ahead into the minor road Shapwick Road and into an enclosed path at Pitts Farm taking you past the farm house and follow the footpath straight ahead (do not go down the drive of the house) you then reach a lane. Turn right along the lane which turns into a track, as you approach Honeygar Farm take the stile on your left and pass behind the farm buildings aiming for a gate on an old track which leads you out to Burtle Road. (The path at Honeygar Farm is different to the O.S. Map)

3.
Turn right along Burtle Road after a short distance take the first path on your left then left again just before a gate. Follow this path straight across several fields to reach Shapwick Road, here turn right and when you reach the old railway line at Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve, turn left and follow the cycle track for approx 2 miles to reach the old Ashcott Corner Car park. (The Sweet Track is just off to the right as you enter the old railway) On reaching the old car park turn left up Ashcott Road passing the Railway Inn continue along the road until you reach the second footpath on your right, cross the stile and follow the footpath across to Stileway Farm and on to the Glastonbury Road.

4.
Cross the road into the farm opposite, (Once again the path differs from the O.S. map here it should go straight ahead but you can't get through) Once over the bridge turn right go through the gate ahead, then turn left down the bank and make your way across the field to cross the large bridge over Pitts Ryhne. With the ryhne on your right follow it round to the right then to the left at the junction, at the top of the field you turn right through a gate, then left then right again crossing a ryhne via a bridge in the process, after a few yards turn slightly left and aim for a gate at the bottom of this field now head towards the bottom left hand corner of this field to find a stile next to a track. Once in the track cross the stile on your right crossing this field to the far corner to cross another stile to reach a lane at Lower Godney. Follow this lane to a T junction here you turn right, then turn left at the crossroads into Westhay Moor Drove now follow the road back to reach the car park.