Walk 4: Through Brent Knoll Village

This walk of about two miles is through the main thoroughfare of the village.  Ordinary shoes are adequate.  Please be careful of the traffic.

1. Start from the Fox and Goose Public House where you will find a Victorian Post Box in its side wall.  This junction, known as White Cross Corner, took its name from White Cross Farm on the A38 almost opposite the Motor Home Showroom. The Fox and Goose was a 19th century coaching inn.  In 1883 the Brent and Wedmore Harriers were housed there. Deer were also kept in the grounds for hunting purposes.  The hunt met twice a week. In 1889 the Inn boasted of good hotel accommodation for cyclists.  Recently modernised, it retains its historical character.  Near the site of the Mobile Home showroom stood "Greystones," once used as a tramps' doss house.  Rabbit skins and rags were sold.  Later it became a well known and popular restaurant. 

2. Opposite the Fox and Goose, walk into Brent Knoll.  A few yards on the right is Croft House, a detached house with considerable grounds.  On the left is Athol Place where the onetime owner was said to have been the first person in the west country to go around hawking oil and candles.

3. The next house of interest is Lion Cottage on the right showing a stone figure of a lion over its front door.  Saddler's Cottage follows shortly indicating the original rural nature of the community. Several blacksmiths plied their trade in the village until the middle of the 20th century.

4. You will pass Warwick Court where once stood, within living memory, The New Inn. Battleborough Lane leads behind the Post Office so named after a battle in which the Saxons defeated the Danes in AD 875 somewhere on the lower slopes of the Knoll.

5. The delightful Pen Orchard is set against the background of the Knoll where orchards were once common on its lower slopes.  The village produced and still produces locally made cider.  The road narrows with Lavender Cottage and other period cottages on your left.  The road to the right leads up to an estate of private homes set among woods and then goes on to St Michael's Church. 

6. The Village School on the left was opened in 1861, originally as a Dame School run by two maiden ladies. Then it was an all age school (5-14 years) until 1944 when it became a Primary School. Move along and on the right you will see the impressive Simon's Oak followed by the Methodist Chapel erected in 1837 by the Bible Christian Society.

7. The Chase, Kennett House and Nightingale Farm come next, all of 18th century style.  On the chicane stands Ivy Clad Hall, built during the reign of Queen Anne, 300 years ago.  It is easy to imagine a carriage and pair bowling along the muddy or dusty Brent Street to swing in through the white gates to stop outside that impressive facade.

8. On the right behind extensive grounds is The Croft which may at one time have been used as a mill.  A series of post war homes lead you to the Red Cow Public House, a red bricked building whose style of architecture suggests that parts of it were built in the 18th century.  Extensive views of the Knoll may be glimpsed from its car park.  Most of the older homes were built on the Knoll side of Brent Street presumably to avoid flooding.

9. As you retrace your steps towards the A 38 it is worth thinking that one hundred years ago only horses, carts and pedestrians would have used this thoroughfare, a quagmire in winter, a dust bowl in a dry summer.  Girls would have enjoyed bowling hoops along the  street, boys would have kicked stones. It is a very different scene now.

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This site is provided by the Brent Knoll Parish Council. Constructed and maintained by Matthew Warnes. Last updated 08-Apr-2008

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