From the (77) Bus Stop Walks – Walk 8 Compton Dundon
The Hood Monument and a path of flagstones.
Tracks and lanes with ups and downs and magnificent views
Distance 10.6 Km/6.6 miles
Total ascent/descent 218m
1 From the bus-stop(GR489328) go to the war memorial and go along Compton St. After 180m(200yds) bear R passing Corner Farm and after 130m(140yds) reach junction.
2 (GR492328) Go R for 30m(35yds) then L on track (SP Restricted Byway) gently ascending. After 450m (¼ mile) go L at fork to enter wooded area. Go ahead as track narrows and becomes steeper to join another track at gate, then continue for 500m(550yds)
3 (GR505327) At crossing track, go L up the stepped path to kissing gate. Bear L (SP Polden Way) and follow path 200m(220yds) to junction. Go ahead for 400m(¼mile) then go R (SP Polden Way) – but go ahead for 100m(110yds) for a great view and a carved wood chair. After 300m(330yds) reach a cross-roads of tracks. Do not go R, but go ahead down steps and follow the pleasant woodland path ignoring L and R turns. At kissing gate, keep post and wire fence on R to emerge into open field with good views. Continue along broad grassy swathe. Go L over stile (SP Polden Way) through gate and along undulating path to the Hood Monument (1) with good view to Glastonbury Tor. Go past monument and down track to a road.
4 (GR494339) Go R for 20m(22yds) then L (SP Public Footpath) along a well-defined path towards the ridge with excellent views to the L. Later, join a post and wire fence on the R with wide views ahead as far as the Brecon Beacons. Descend gently to reach a kissing gate at road junction.
5 (GR485345) Go straight across with care and immediately go L along the narrow unsignposted lane and follow as it meanders gently down. After 500m(550yds) at gate, continue ahead to a crossing track. Go ahead over stile, keeping hedge on L and just before end of field, go L over waymarked stile and sleeper bridge and follow, now with hedge on R to cross stile to L of metal gate. Continue with hedge on L for 200m (220yds), cross stile on L and go R along grassy track to reach road. Continue 800m (½ mile) to Give Way sign by cricket pitch.
6 (GR480327) Turn R (Hayes Road) and follow for 1.2Km (⅔ mile). At house called Orchard End, go L up short track to gate then ascend steeply with hedge on L to gate and sleeper bridge. Go L and ascend with hedge on L to a pedestrian gate. Go 45oR up faint path to trig point on Lollover Hill for a far-reaching view. Go 90oL and descend faint path to join track by gate. Follow track for 350m(400yds) and beyond R turn go L along path to reach road. Go L and bear to R by No Through Road sign (but go ahead to visit church (2) then R into School Lane.
7 (GR480325) Follow to end of tarmac then go ahead along track with flagstones (3). Go through two kissing gates and continue along flagstones through several more gates and a farmyard to reach a road. Turn R for 350m(385yds) to the bus-stop – for Wells on the R and for Somerton &Yeovil across the road.
For car travellers Park in Compton St with consideration or (with permission) at the Castlebrook Inn.
FOR A SHORTER WALK (1)
Distance 5.2 Km/3.2 miles
Follow to the end of point 3. Go L and follow road for 1.1Km (⅔ mile). At junction turn R then bear L to reach war memorial and bus-stop.
FOR A SHORTER WALK (2)
Distance 5.7 Km/3.5 miles
Follow to junction at end of point 1.
Go L for 1.1Km (⅔mile) climbing steadily. Just beore joining a road reach end of point 3. Take path
on L and follow to end of point 5.Go L and follow to village and bus-stop.
1 The Hood monument is a 110 feet (34 m) Tuscan column erected in 1831 by public subscription as a memorial to Vice Admiral Sir Samuel Hood RN (1762-1814).
2 St Andrew’s, Compton Dundon has an interesting 16th century font and a 17th century oak pulpit.
3 The flagstones that cross the fields between the church and the village are the remains of a path built to save parishioners from wet feet.
Refreshments: Castlebrook Inn