Walk 14: Hillesley to Old Sodbury (8 miles)

Just four of us on this one. We were joined by Rod and Di, who are regulars of the walk. We parked at the Fleece Inn, Hillesley, about a quarter of a mile off the trail, but well worth the detour. A friendly, welcoming pub, with a great range of beers, more of which later. 

We took the road out of Hillesley, walking beside a clear millstream and passing a fishing lake on the left and the pretty cottages of Lower Kilcott. We then climbed steadily up a sunken lane toward Claypit Wood. 

Coming out of the wood, we climbed up a stony track towards the lane on  the ridge, stopping to admire the fossils in the path.

We'd planned on having our picnic at the Somerset Monument only to find the lawn surrounding the monument completely walled off. 

Disappointed, we continued towards Hawkesbury Upton, passing the aptly named 'Starveall Lane' on our left, 

We soon took a right turn to pass an ancient drover's pool, used in the past as a watering place for cattle and sheep being driven along Bath Lane (originally  principal route to Bath and part of the ancient Ridgeway), and turned into the drover's track, where we soon stopped for a picnic. 

Revived after our rest, we then continued along the track with excellent views both west toward the Severn and East towards the Marlborough Downs. 

Eventually we entered a lovely beech wood, with a commemorative plaque at the entrance "Jane's Magic Wood, in loving memory of Jane Wadsworth, 1946 - 2015". It was indeed a magical wood. Coming out of the wood, we passed Horton Court, which was below on our right. This is an old manor house parts of which date back to the 12th century and which was used as a location for Wolf Hall and Poldark. We then wound our way up the hill towards a hill fort again with excellent views,

and then followed farmland to the village of Little Sodbury, passing an interesting folly ( designed for smaller people) on the way.

We walked through the charming village of Little Sodbury, and then climbed steadily toward the hill fort above, before taking a level path to the hill above Old Sodbury, where our walk ended.

We were pretty weary by this time, as we had underestimated the length of the walk, which at 12.8 km was the longest we have done so far. So we adjourned back to the Fleece in Hillesley for a well deserved pint, before heading home. 

We are taking a break until the end of September and then there are only 18.5 miles (three walks) until we arrive in Bath on 9th October!

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