Brent Knoll Walks - Walk 5: Circular walk from the Post Office 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.