Mendip Ring +

Sutton, Lovington, and Bolter's Bridge. 10.0 Miles

This walk starts at the cross roads behind the Brook House Inn, Sutton, near Castle Cary. Grid Ref. ST632341. The walk goes back towards Sutton down to Twinkham Bridge past the Field Studies centre at Dimmer on to Lovington through Alford to reach Bolter's Bridge, up to the pretty village of Alhampton then back through the Nature Reserve to our start point at Sutton.

1.
From the crossroads behind the pub head back towards the hamlet of Sutton as you pass through the village take the first path on your left down to Twinkham Bridge, continue under the railway and out to reach the B3153, turn right, then take the first lane on the left (Blackworthy Road) follow the lane to take the first path on your right through Blackworthy Holdings, follow the path across the fields, at a junction of paths keep to the right hand one continuing on to reach the lane at Higher Dimmer Farm, on reaching the lane turn right up the hill at the top turn left then take the footpath on the left and follow this towards the Field Studies Centre, (The path differs from the O.S. map here) follow this path as it takes you round the old Dimmer tip to reach Back Brook keep following the path to reach Cary Moor Drove.

2.
Follow the path across Cary Moor, and at the end of Dry Brook at a junction of paths take the turning on the right, follow this over a small bridge and into a wood heading towards Mansmead Wood at the T junction at the end of this path turn left, follow this path out to reach a track look for a narrow bridge on your right cross this and aim for the top left hand corner of the field to reach the lane at Lovington, Here you turn right and take the path straight ahead passing Manor Farm, continue ahead to reach Bridge Farm take the left hand path to reach the lane next to a railway bridge. Turn right and follow the lane under the railway, where the lane turns left take the footpath straight ahead soon to take the left hand of the two paths which takes you out to reach the B3153 again.

3.
Cross into the lane slightly on your left on the other side of the B road and follow it passing Kingfisher Equestrian on your left, then take the first path on your right follow it across the field through a gate, then aim for the bottom of the hedge in the next field once round this turn half left up to a gate at the top left hand corner of the field onto a track, cross this into the field beyond follow the edge of the wood on your right to pass through a gate halfway down the hedge ahead into a track, turn left and follow this path down to a gate at the bottom of the field to join the Monarch's way.

4.
Turn right following the path across a couple of fields to cross Bolter's Bridge now follow the path straight ahead across the fields to reach a concrete track. Follow this track until you reach a lane taking you back towards Sutton, follow this soon to turn left into Moor Lane, follow this lane until you reach a footpath on your right, take this concrete drive as you reach the end of the lane take the small gate on your right then over a stone stile to reach the village of Alhampton. Turn left along the lane then take the first path on your right next to the old church and follow this bridleway round to the left do not enter the Nature reserve. Follow this bridleway until you come to a junction of paths, here you take the right-hand path and follow this straight ahead through the Nature Reserve to emerge onto a lane near the Rugby Club, turn right and follow this back to you start point.