From the (54) Bus Stop Walk Series 1 – Walk 5 Curry Rivel
A monument with spectacular views and Somerset moors
Steep descent and ascent to match, otherwise easy going
Distance 10.7 Km/ 6.7 miles
Total ascent/descent 107 m
- From the bus-stop (GR392252) in the centre of Curry Rivel1 walk in the Taunton direction for 100m (110yds) and turn R along Church Street, pass the school and turn L along Water Street. After 230m (250yds) opposite a kissing gate, go L along a tarmac drive towards Waterstreet Farm and follow as it swings to the R to reach a waymarked gate. Go ahead with a wall on the R to reach a slab stile. Cross the track, go through a gate and go ahead with fence on L to reach another gate at a crossroads of paths. Continue ahead to a kissing gate and now with hedge on R go ahead to emerge at a road. Turn R and after 160m (180yds) by wrought iron gates, go L down short path through kissing gate into large field. Bear slightly L with hedge on L for 250m (275yds), go through gate and after 30m (35yds) turn R along a broad avenue of trees to the Burton Pynsent Monument2 with views of much of the north of the county.
- (GR377252) Bear slightly L down to a gate and descend along path, initially with wire fence on R, to reach a stile. Continue ahead along the L edge of a large field to reach a lane and turn R to meander along the edge of West Sedge Moor for 1.6Km (1 mile) to reach a road.
- (GR381264) Turn L and after 800m (½ mile) pass the entrance to Oath Hill Farm and 800m (½ mile) beyond, go across the new bridge over the railway and at junction turn R (SP Langport). Follow road passing Oath Lock for 2km to recross railway.
- (GR399274) After 270m (300yds) go R (no sign) along Lakehouse Drove and follow for 800m (½ mile) to junction. Go L for 360m (400yds) and at sharp L bend, go R up very steep path to reach a road. Go R and after 100m (110yds) just before farm, cross stile on R and follow path 400m (¼ mile) to another stile. Cross and go R along the new permissive path for 100m (110yds).
- (GR392262) Reach track and go straight across, through gate and along the left hand edge of a field. At pedestrian gates continue ahead now with hedge on R, past barns to emerge at a T-junction of roads. Go straight ahead to reach St Andrew’s4 church, which is well worth a look if you have time, and then ahead to reach the main road and bus-stop.
FOR A SHORTER WALK
Distance 3.9 Km/ 2.4 miles
Follow paragraph 1 to the Burton Pynsent Monument and admire the views. Retrace your steps to the starting point.
For car travellers, there is a large free car park on the right as you drive down Church Street.
Refreshments: Firehouse, Church St
Living Pretty, High St
1 The name Curry Rivel, comes from the Celtic word “crwy”, meaning
boundary and “Rivel” from its 12th-century landlord Sir Richard Revel.
2 Burton Pynsent Monument is a 30m high classical column with lantern and cupola designed by Capability Brown and built in 1767 for William Pitt the Elder in honour of Sir William Pynsent, who had left him the Burton Pynsent Estate in thanks for Pitt’s opposition to the imposition of a tax on cider. Occasionally, it is possible to climb to the top.
3 Oath Lock, originally built in the 1830s marks the tidal limit of the River Parrett and is 31km (19 miles) from the set
4 St Andrew’s church, Curry Rivel, was established by the time of the Domesday Book (1086) although most of the current building dates from the 15th Century apart from the tower, which was rebuilt in 1861.