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Walk 5: Across Brent Knoll Village in
Somerset
This walk of about two miles can easily be completed within an hour. It
contrasts the antiquity of the village with facets of modern life.
Wellington boots are needed in wet weather. The first part is
through a field which can be very muddy, the second part is on the main A38
Brent Street.
 1. Starting point is Battleborough Lane which leads behind the Post
Office. Continue along this lane for about 200 yards passing "The
Laurels" and some old cottages which butt onto a field. At the side
of the road you will see a deep rhyne. Such rhynes traverse this area
ensuring that flooding is a thing of the past. Many of the rhynes, dug by
hand, are several hundred years old.
 2. Go through the side gate across a meadow with the lower slopes
of the knoll to the left and the rhyne on your right. Here you can imagine
the battle between the Saxons and the Danes which took place on these slopes in
the ninth century when the Saxons drove away the invaders from this area, hence
the name, "Battleborough Lane." Note a small and very old stone
bridge which gives access to the field on your right.
3. Continue along by the side of the rhyne, go through the gate which
leads onto a "permitted" path. A notice will tell you of this.
This lane leads onto a hard surface which comes out onto the A 38 main road.
On this lane you will see a variety of homes, one of which resembles an old
chapel.
4.
Looking back at it you will see a crest with a date on it.
Behind this building and further up the slope is the Battleborough Grange Hotel.
Passing Battleborough Farm and Oakdale Beech House on your left you emerge onto
the A 38. To your left you will see the Goat House. This is a
restaurant and a shop combined. Opposite is the garden centre of the Saunders
brothers established only a few years ago. Behind this is the M5 Motorway.
 5. Take care when crossing the A38, then turn right along the path
towards the BWOC garage. At this point it is worth looking back at the
eastern slopes of the knoll which afford an excellent view which is much
photographed. Looking north you will see Crook Peak at the western end of
the Mendip Hills which gives spectacular views of the knoll and its surrounding
land. Pass the garage then cross the road again near the early 19th
century Fox and Goose Inn taking utmost care on this busy road, Opposite
you will see some stables.
6. Entering Brent Street you will walk under a variety of established
trees, passing the Croft on your right, followed by Croft Cottage dated 1875.
A croft was a small enclosed field or it could be an agricultural smallholding.
On your left you will come to the white house of Athol Place dated 1884.
7. Between a mixture of modern homes you will see Portland House, The
Briars dated 1688, Beggar's Roost, Warwick Court, Pear Tree House, all
indicating the original character of the village. Behind the modern
development of Portland Place you will have another extensive view of the Knoll.
Photographed at any time of the day this will reward you for your efforts.
8. Just past the Post Office is the newly renovated Knoll Cottage, dated
1900. Here you are back to your starting point.
9. On another occasion you may wish to do this walk in reverse
order thus giving a different perception of the area. This walk can also
be linked in with Walk Number Four.
N.B. Please take the utmost care whilst walking along Brent Street since
the traffic does not always conform to the 30 miles an hour limit.
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