Duke's Walk

THIS WALK HAS NOT BEEN RENEWED AND SO IS NO LONGER AN OFFICIAL WALK

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THE ITEM BELOW NEEDS EDITED IN THE LIGHT OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION (JUST AQUIRED). HOWEVER, THERE SEEMS A CASE OF 'CONSTRUCTIVE OBSTRUCTION' AS THIS PERMISSORY WALK SEEMS NOW TO BE DECLASSIFIED AS SUCH. THE PIC BELOW IS THE OFFICIAL ENTRANCE - AS WAS:

Midden at official entrance/exit of walk. 'Constructive obstruction', innit?

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THE FOLLOWING IS UNDER REVISION . . .

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KEY: Thick white lines indicate walking options (official and unofficial, wide verges around the fields make the latter feasible). Thin white lines with white dots indicate official arrow-guide (nailed to posts etc) directions. Numbers are references used in the description below. Refer to the DEFRA guide at the start of this item for the original official route.

The Walk That Time Forgot . . .

Starting from the Maiden Bradley village shop and back, the longest circuit of Duke's walk is about 3 miles in length; the shorter one being about half that distance. There are several other route options to explore using permeations of the internal paths. The views of Little Knoll Wood, Long Knoll, Bradley Park and Bradley House, Brimble Hill Clump (where the 15th Duke of Somerset and his wife are buried), Brimsdown Hill (with Duke's Knoll on top - or Bluebell Wood, as we like to call it), Cold Kitchen Hill (you can spot the Silver Jubilee Torch on top) and the vista down the valley in the Kingston Deverill direction, are all delightful. You might also see deer, buzzards, and certainly a wide variety of other animals and plants.

Sadly though, this outstandingly beautiful, convenient and easy local public amenity is running to seed and rapidly becoming the walk that time forgot. The various route options are no longer clearly signed. The field styles and a little wooden bridge are now overgrown and definitely in need of some maintenance. However, they are all functional enough (take care though), with the exception of one style in a double hedge, which is overgrown and broken (there is a field gate nearby). Note: Be sure to close and secure any gates you use when out walking in the countryside.

There are two ways to do the Duke's Walk (with several internal variants).

1 Turn left on the Mere end of Church Street and wander down Kingston Lane, past Bradley House and the Back Lane turn off. Then, on down to a row of three cottages on the right. Just past the cottages turn right, and continue up the track which heads towards the Sewage Works, with Brimble Hill Clump ahead of you on the skyline. Turn right through the gate, just beyond the high red-brick garden wall, to enjoy the rest of Duke's Walk.

2 Or, saunter along Church Walk, past All Saints Church, then cross over the B3092 (on the right side of the road where there is a verge), on past the crow trees. Here you can nip back over the road again and go through the field gate on the other side and on into Bradley Park. Note: When accessing cultivated land --and as a general rule-- do keep to the hedgerows. Once through the gate you can follow the hedge up to Little Knoll. Note: There is a lay-by at the end of this section where you could park your car; officially the main entrance point. This is the longer walk. An alternative is to walk along by the rear of Bradley House; this is the shorter walk's direction.

Note: Along the edge of Little Knoll Wood, at the end of the field, there is a style which invites three options of travel. One is down the hedge's near side, heading towards Bradley House. Another option is to continue into the next field, along the side of Little Knoll Wood, where the route finally turns once again down towards the big house. The third option at this style allows egress to Little Knoll Wood itself.

You will see some signs to guide you, but others are missing. If in doubt check/download the map provided. (Be sure to take along a camera!)

*Any additional information or anecdotes you may have regarding this splendid local trail and the history of Duke's Walk in general, would be most welcome.

View from Duke's Walk: Brimble Hill Clump

Another time

g o i n g t o s e e d

THE WALK WAS PHOTOGRAPHED AND THIS PAGE WILL BE EXTENDED

AS TIME ALLOWS -- MEANWHILE SEE MORE AT DUKES GRAVE

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