A walk starting at Winscombe this week with as the title says a Castle,1 Donkey and 1 Peacock but with much more. Some great views although today temp being around 23 but extremely misty or hazy making photography challenging !
First view out towards Crook Peak lovely warm day but soooo hazy.
After a few fields we come to Banwell Castle,
The land on which the house is built was owned by the Bishop of Bath and Wells. Suprise ! It was sold to John and Joan Landown in 1753. It was passed down to the Sympson family; John Dyer Sympson, a solicitor from London built the castle as his home. It was completed in 1847 and embellished in the 1880s by Sir Elskin Baker.
The castle was bought and sold many times in the subsequent 100 years. In World War II it was taken over by the Royal Air Force and used as the headquarters for No. 955 Squadron, which was a barrage balloon unit and part of Balloon Command. The gatehouse was used by the local Air Raid Precautions.It is now a bed and breakast .WIKI
Next to Castle this fine looking fellow lives although a birder myself not sure if i'd like to live next door as he was quite noisy !
This Banwell Hill very quiet area just fields and trees .
But along track you can start to hear the M5 and another view of he misty Crook Peak.
What ...? i Can't hear you .Peace shattered !
But soon we leave behind the noise and start our climb up the west Mendip Way very nice too !
Visibility not getting better but temperature getting hotter
Just before we descend into Loxton a very nice bench complete with cave which goes into hillside for some 157m and Rope swing.
After walking through Loxton we again see Crook peak,and the Crook which must give it's name
M5 noise again and Motorway signage informing drivers the rip off fuel prices !
The next bit confusing as footpath not clear where i had planned on going up after much wandering we continued along Barton Road then followed up the West Mendip Way onto Crook Peak.
Bit of B/W still hazy !! Thats Loxton below.
On Top Crook Peak Walkers for scale.
Cheddar Reservoir can just be seen!
Finally the sun starting to break through now ,these cows itching that itch !
Common Spotted Orchid looking good .
Also a nice chunk of Dryad's Saddle or
Pheasant Back Mushroom or Hawks Wing looks good enough to eat,can be fried up and eaten ,it think !
Banwell castle through the mist , still !
Winscombe Wood
Then from the woods St.James the Great Church appears !
Church good but Yew Tree Better and get a hug from Andy !
Nearly back now,this puddle or lake had a lovely reflection .
After 2 more fields, a short section of the Strawberry Railway Line as below we Are back and rest !
A lovely walk on the right day outstanding views, great woodland and with quietness of the West Mendip way stunning also contrasting the noise of the M5,
worth the effort on any day !
Thanks for looking
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