Brent
Knoll Walks - Walk 7: Walk to Edithmead and Back
Allow
just over one hour. The return walk is just over two miles.
This is an easy walk on footpaths along the edge of flat fields
giving you a sight of vast open skies and superb views of the
Knoll on the return journey. Use ordinary walking shoes unless
the ground is wet. This is a "there and back" walk
to Edithmead Cathedral" (Chapel).
1. Begin
by the side of Ivy Clad Hall in the centre of the village just
a few yards from the village green. Ivy Clad Hall was built
during the reign of Queen Anne (1702 - 1714) and is 
one
of the oldest houses in the village. Its large lawn has been
the site of many village functions including a recent superb
performance of Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream"
given by a group of six travelling actors. At the end of this
lane, also known as "Body's Lane" go through a covered
walkway. A few yards past this the footpath swings to the right
and will take you across the railway and onto the sports ground
at Burnham on Sea.
2.
Do not take this path but go immediately left and over the stile.
Walk about three hundred yards keeping the rhyne on your right.
Cross the rhyne at a small bridge and follow the path alongside
a low hedge. At the end of this field is a short avenue of trees
for you to walk through. Keep a look out for a variety of birds.
You may be lucky enough to see kestrels, sparrowhawks and/or
buzzards. On this walk in mid summer you will also be able to
see a wide variety of butterflies and wild grasses
3.
Go through the gate in front of you and cross two fields and
diagonally on your left you will see a small bridge across a
rhyne. Cross this. Keep to the right hand side of the field
with Inner Farm on your right. Here there is a large man made
pond which collects dirty water from the farm.
4.
Facing you you will see a fairly modern bungalow. Go towards
this bungalow keeping to the hedge on your right. A few yards
to the right of the bungalow is an overgrown gap in the hedge.
Go through this gap and across a plank which leads onto a covered
path and out onto Edithmead Lane. Turn left and walk a few yards
towards the main Middle Burnham Road. On your left you will
see Edithmead "Cathedral" (Chapel), a Mission church,
and one of a number of tin tabernacles still used today for
regular worship.
5.
Retrace your steps for the return journey which will give you
magnificent views of the Knoll and the village. Take time to
look at these views which are worth any photgrapher's time.
The Methodist preacher and founder of Methodism, John Wesley(1703
- 1791) once climbed the Knoll and is reputed to have said,
"I know not wherever I saw such a prospect."
6.
When you cross the final plank over the rhyne you may vary the
end of your walk by turning right. Follow the path over a final
rhyne into a meadow keeping the hedge on your immediate left.
Chickens and ducks are kept in this field so please keep dogs
on a lead. Go through the gateway at the side of the bungalow
and you will emerge onto Brent Street opposite the tennis courts. 
Some
three hundred yards to your left will be your starting point,
Ivy Clad Hall.
