Walk
6: Over the Knoll to East Brent
 Allow about one hour for
this walk. The first part is very steep and the second part is through fields
which can be very muddy. In winter weather make sure you wrap up well as part of
this walk is exposed to the north wind. Wellingtons or stout shoes will be
needed. A change of shoes may be needed if you take in a visit to the church at
East Brent.
 1. Starting point is Church Lane opposite IvyClad Hall near the Methodist
Chapel. Cars can be parked in the nearby village green car park.
Walk along Church Lane, notice the five horse chestnut trees on your right.
On the left on rising ground you will have a view of Ball Copse Hall which has
just celebrated its one hundredth year.
2. On the ridge above the
house stand a row of majestic elms, home to rooks. At the junction turn
left into Hill Lane and follow this up past the Woodlands Hotel, once a farm
house.
 3.
Halfway up the hill on your left you will see the large gateway to
Ball Copse Hall. Note the miniature castles on top of each gatepost.
4. Just beyond is a brick wall cleverly constructed in a wave
pattern. In the garden are bee hives. At the crest of the hill continue
forward on rising ground. On your right you will see a different view of
the Knoll showing evidence from pre-Christian times of Iron Age activity in the
easily seen embankments. Facing you now is the vista of Crook Peak and the
Mendip Hills stretching all the way eastwards to Wells. The M5 Motorway
can be seen cutting through the Mendips. The range of hills on your left
stretch towards Weston super Mare. Facing you now is the spire of East
Brent church dating back to the fifteenth century.
5. On your left are
some woodlands cared for by the Forestry Commission. To the north of the
Knoll is the village of Edingworth, once the site of a Roman settlement.
Above this can be seen the scar of Cheddar Gorge. The north side of the
knoll is well covered with a variety of trees.
6. Climb over the
stile and follow the footpath through the middle of the field. On the
right is a tree lined culvert which, during the 19th century had a series of
waterfalls and dams constructed by the Rev. Dennison of East Brent. The
water percolated down towards the village and provided fresh water for the
villagers in time of drought. Rev Dennison was also the instigator of the
Harvest Home. A vicar from the early 20th century was a cricket enthusiast and
had a stained glass window inserted depicting a cricket scene in this church
which is well worth a visit.
7. Near the bottom of
this field climb the stile on your left towards the churchyard. Follow
through onto the gravel path until you come to Hill Lane again. At
this juncture you could make a diversion by turning right and go through the
village on the right until you reach the traffic lights. Cross over and
take some refreshment in the Knoll Inn which will be facing you.
8. Back at Hill Lane,
turn left up the hill between some steep wooded banks where you will see much
evidence of local flora and fauna. As the road levels out you will see
a new plantation of trees on your right. Just before the crest of the hill
teasels may be seen growing in the field on your right. The bristly flower
heads of the teasels used to produce a napped surface on fabrics.
9. As you move
towards the crest of the hill you will be able to glimpse the distant Quantock
Hills on the other side of Bridgwater and certain points of Bridgwater Bay
below them. To the right is a path which leads past a modern detached red
brick house which leads eventually into a woodland copse.
10. The road retraces your steps until you come out facing Ivy Clad Hall, a
house built during the reign of Queen Anne.( 1702 - 1714) Take care as you
cross the road at this junction. Turn left past the Methodist Chapel and arrive
at the car park.
Choose another walk
or return to home | 
