The SCPTA Family Rambles are placed here for your enjoyment as family walks on the Mendip Hills around Sidcot and the local area. Most of the walks commence at Sidcot School but some may commence at other local sites.
Free parking is available in Winscombe village about 0.5 miles from Sidcot School. Please DO NOT park near the School.


Sidcot to Lillypool via Winterhead returning via Callow Hill 4th November 2009 4 miles

This was the first of the three walks of our 2009/10 season but because of the weather did not attract families out.
The Walk left School via Newcombe Lane and Tom's Field, continue across the field and pass through the gate and follow the path ahead to the next gate. Follow the left hand hedge and take the stile to the left. Drop down across the fields to Winterhead Farm. Passing through the farm and through the gate into the lane.

Turn right (South) and follow the lane across the ford and continue until emerging from the wood and into a field. Continue up hill until reaching the path at the top of the steps. Turn left and take the steps down to the bridge then continue up to the Shipham Road.
(Beware of traffic).

Turn right and walk about 100 metres along the road, then cross into Templars Way. Walk 100 metres or so along Templars Way and then take the footpath to the right. Follow the path passing behind the cottage and continue to the drive of the hotel, continuing slightly to the right to pick up the path back onto Shipham Road. Follow Shipham road to the left and continue to Lillypool. (The walkers took well earned hot drinks at the café before continuing)

Continue along the Shipham Road (walk on the right and watch out for traffic) until reaching on the right, Callow Drove at the side of the quarry. Climb the track to the top of Callow Hill and continue along the drove between the two stone walls until reaching the stile on the right. Cross the stile and follow the track down into the hollow and continue to Winscombe Drove. Cross the Drove and enter the field following the path down into the Combe.

Either follow the Combe and path to Oakridge Lane and turn right to return to School, or take the upper path immediately after passing the copse on the right, and cross the field to the gate, re-enter Tom's Field. Cross to the next gate into Newcombe Lane and return to School.

NEWS FLASH

Our esteemed rambles leader, completed yet another London Marathon 2009, running the 26miles 385yds (42.195km) in 3:34:47.

Well Done Jim!

News News Flash
Jim's time this marathon significantly beat his 2008 time!

Historical Note for interest: Now in our 8th Year

The SCPTA family rambles instigated by Jim Scott, commenced in 2002 and were described in the 2003 Bearings as 'friendly explorations around the Sidcot/Winscombe backyard". The first walk took place on a Saturday morning following the start section of the Wessex Walk from Sidcot via Oakridge Lane and Winscombe Drove to Winterhead Hill and on to Shipham. Following the route through Templars Way to Lippiatt Lane. heading south and skirting the south side of Rowberrow Warren to Longbottom.

Taking the road west to Lillypool and then Winscombe Drove descending the Combe back to Sidcot.
About 50 or so souls made the walk, including a significant number of boarders - Both the Saturday morning timing and the walk being a bit of a shock to their systems.

Sidcot to Wavering Down Summit and Winscombe Church 28 Feb 2009 (5 miles)

Our 3rd and final walk for the 2008/9 season attracted about 30 people with a number of new faces and younger student family members. The weather was traditionally dry, although on this occasion a bit overcast.

From Sidcot via Oakridge Lane south and crossing Oakridge Close to take the footpath route to the A38, crossing into Fuller's Lane and then taking the footpath beside the recreation ground to the Railway Walk. Following the Walk south passing through the Shute Shelve Tunnel then taking the path up to King's Wood. The group then made the 2 stage steep assent to Wavering Down summit, stopping for the refreshment break at the Triangulation Point.

Returning east back down the 1st part of the decent to Cross Plain then taking the footpath north past Hill Farm descending to Winscombe Church. Leaving the Church by the north road to reach Church Lane, then taking Eastwell Lane and the footpath north east past the East Well crossing the fields to the recreation ground. Passing the football park and crossing the school playing fields back to the A38 at Fountain Lane to return to school.

Sandford Hill and the Strawberry Line Railway Walk 24 Jan 2009

The 2nd ramble of the season and the first for 2009 was, as usual, held in fine waether.
The route descended North from Sidcot School and then went up onto Sandford Hill overlooking Winscome Village. Descending the western end of the Hill and picking up the Strawberry Line Railway Walk on the section from Sandford back to Winscombe and the return to Sidcot.