Brent Knoll Walks - Walk 2: Circular Walk from the Parish Hall

Allow One Hour.

This is a moderately easy walk along flat roads and fairly level footpaths except for a short slope towards the end of the walk and some stiles. Use ordinary walking shoes unless the ground is very wet. Start from the car park by the Parish Hall.

1. Walk northwards along Brent Street past Simon's Oak, the Methodist Chapel built in 1832, and The Chase on your right. On your left you will see Ivyclad Hall behind white railings. This is a private home built in the reign of Queen Anne (1702 -1714) and is one of the oldest houses in the village.

2. Turn immediately right into Church Lane. On the left is a rhyne, a drainage channel built many years ago, on the right a row of horse chestnut trees behind which are some modern dwellings. Over the top of them you can glimpse St. Michael's Parish Church on the wooded lower slopes of the Knoll.

3. To the left on rising ground may be seen Ball Copse Hall, a private dwelling, now over one hundred years old.

4. Continue to the junction and bear left up Hill Lane until you reach the entrance to the Woodlands Hotel, formerly a farmhouse, and now a popular venue for parties and, on occasions, weddings.

5. Opposite is a metal kissing gate which leads into a paddock just below Ball Copse Hall.


6. Here you will see a variety of soay sheep from a small island in the St Kilda Group of islands in the Outer Hebrides. Please ensure that your dog is on a lead.

7. Cross to the next stile and in this field below to your left you will see the backs of some modern dwellings in Brent Street, flat land leading to Burnham on Sea which is a haunt for hares, and the striking white pillar of Burnham lighthouse. In the background may be seen the Quantocks, a beautiful range of hills which stretch inland from near Watchet almost to Bridgwater.

8. At this stage look out for teasels, the bristly flower heads of which were used to produce a napped surface on fabrics. To the right on the lower slopes of the Knoll you may spot rabbits, a variety of birds including two species of woodpecker and the occasional buzzard circling on thermals.

9. Cross over the next stile into a wood and emerge into a field which gives a splendid view of the hamlet of Ham, Berrow Church, Hinkley Point Power Station just below the Quantocks, Brean Down, and like Brent Knoll,another outcrop of the Mendips. The Welsh Coastline behind may be seen. On clear days one can glimpse individual buildings such as chimneys.

10. Continue over six more stiles with orchards and mixed wood plantations on your left.

11. The lower slopes of the Knoll were covered in apple orchards during the nineteenth century. Much of the produce went to and still does produce local cider which rejoices under the vernacular name of "Scrumpy."

12. Turn left and walk down the hill with the cliffs behind Minehead in the distance some thirty kilometres away. There are often sheep in this field so please ensure your dog is on a lead.

13. At the bottom of the hill cross the stile to the left hand side and follow the path to the road.

14. Turn left onto Brent Street by West Croft Farm which is well known for its cider making and encourages visitors. Next door is The Old Manor House, now tastefully modernised in lemon yellow paint. A little further along on the right is Easternview Cottage which has a sun dial marked on its south facing wall.

15. This road will take you past several period houses, ones to look out for are: Park Farm, Shamrock House and Shamrock Cottage on your left.

16. Opposite is the popular Red Cow Public House, a modernised building tastefully furnished and serving meals and drink to many customers.

17. The final part of your journey will lead you past the Croft on your left followed by the white Nightingale Farm and back to Ivyclad Hall. A hundred yards further on is your starting point, the Parish Hall Car Park.