Brent Knoll Walks - 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.