30th December 2014
Walking Distance 8 miles
Description
This section follows the Monarch's Way, supposedly the route taken by Charles II after losing the battle of Worcester. After parking the
car in the Memorial Hall car park, I
took Ireson Lane uphill between old houses, soon reaching fine views west.
Further up the lane, a footpath to the left soon lead to some more views north with
Wincanton race course to your left. Paths then lead you to a minor road near
the pretty church at Charlton Musgrove, which is some distance from the actual
village. Resuming the route north west takes you via Southmead and then through
wooded but hilly countryside, past Ballands Castle where there was once a Norman Castle, to the pretty
hilltop village of Penselwood.
From here the route continues along the Monarch's Way with
good views to the south to Zeals with a nice spired church. There is
the Bell and Crown pub here but was not open when I passed. Beyond this the
path continues under the A303 and then past the splendid Zeals House. More good
views south before the house and then west to Mere after it. You can see the
Castle mound at Mere from a long way off and then pass through a complex of old
greenhouses where they grow flowers, finally passing the fine Mere church
before getting into the town. After a fairly long cold wait I was able to catch
a bus back to Wincanton.
Map
Downloadable Trails.
GPX files
can downloaded and used in GPS units and Smartphone GPS apps. You can also
download open it in www.bikehike.co.uk on bing maps to view on an OS map.
This may
open in Google maps for viewing. A down arrow on the top left of the map should
allow you to download the file. You can then open it in Google Earth and do a
'flying tour'
Profile
Photos
 |
| View to the South over Wincanton |
 |
| View towards Wincanton Racecourse |
|
|
|
 |
| Charlton Musgrove Church |
 |
| Lake near Ballands Castle |
 |
| Penselwood Church |
 |
| Zeals House |
 |
| Approaching Mere |
 |
| Mere Church |
