Date: 18th March 2021
Destination: Marnhull
Duration: 4 hours
Distance: 22.9 miles
Weather: 10 °C Partly Cloudy
With much better weather forecast today's route was one I had originally planned to cycle the previous week but had postponed because of poor weather conditions. Marlott (Marnhull) is referred to in Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles, as is the Pure Drop Inn, (The Crown) and Rollivers (The Blackmore Vale Inn). These were our main destinations today.
Heading east from Templecombe towards Buckhorn Weston we paused briefly on Gigg Lane Railway Bridge to listen to and watch a murder of crows squawking noisily to each other.
From Kington Magna there are three roads from the vale up to the ridge, Barton Hill, Church Hill and Chapel Hill. The latter was our chosen route today. Half way up I spotted a couple of beacons which I thought may have been used in 2012, a year that saw the UK celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and host the London Olympics. We stopped by a dilapidated gate to take a closer look, only to discover to my disappointment that they were phone masts. The masts are only just visible in the background of the following photo.
At the top of Chapel Hill we turned right and then made our way south across the A30 to Fifehead Magdalene, where we made a very short detour to sit atop a wall at St Mary Magdalene Church for a break.
After eating our fruit we wandered around the graveyard and discovered a lovely view east towards Duncliffe Woods.
Back on our bikes we cycled down Fifehead Hill for the very first time. We have cycled up this hill often (or should I say cycled and walked) but never in the opposite direction. This made for a pleasant change. At the bottom of the hill we turned left into Mill Lane, crossing over the River Stour before heading up into Marhull.
On turning left into Burton Street we spotted a "spittoon" of llamas which we felt necessitated closer inspection. Unfortunately we were unable to get any nearer so abandoned our quest and headed for The Blackmore Vale Inn or Rolliver's as it is referred to in Tess of the D'Urbervilles.
Photos taken we once more set off and now with St Gregory's church spire in sight we pedalled up Church Hill and turned left towards the Crown Inn. (The Pure Drop Inn in Tess of the D'Urbervilles.)
Our next destination was King's Mill south west of Marnhull. We turned round and cycled along New Street towards Cox Hill and a very fast descent which saw me reaching speeds of 30mph.
At the bottom of Cox Hill, we stopped at King's Mill, a redundant water powered corn mill. Built in the early 19th Century, it is now a Grade II Listed building, "which retains a good collection of historic machinery, with features and fittings which illustrate the milling process from start to finish." British Listed Buildings - King's Mill
There is much of interest at the bottom of Cox Hill. Downstream from King's Mill is King's Mill Bridge, built in 1823 and another Grade II listed building. An inscription on the bridge warns people of the risk of transportation for life if the bridge were to be damaged! The River Lydden joins the River Stour south of King's Mill Bridge and with the River Cale having joined the Stour a little further up stream this area is prone to flooding.
Having finished looking at all the wonderful sights we cycled over the bridge and up King's Mill Road turning right into Lower Road towards Stalbridge, cutting along Jarvis Way to Station Road and then down towards Gibbs Marsh Trading Estate.
Normally from Landshire Lane we head towards the A30 crossing over to join Park Lane and then onto Yenston. This week however I wanted to avoid the stretch of main road from Yenston to Templecombe because of the steep hill on the approach to Templecombe. At the end of a very long ride we both find this hill a struggle and a little dangerous. The fear is that if one of us were to stop on the ascent we could end up bumping into or under a passing car.
Instead we continued along Marsh Lane this time taking a left turn towards Henstridge and what a gem this stretch of road turned out to be. Tucked away behind the main drag, free from industrial estate traffic it was peaceful and pretty.
Continuing in our efforts to avoid approaching Templecombe from the south and aiming instead to arrive from the west we cycled through Henstridge turning right onto the A357 at the Bird in Hand Pub and then left onto the A30. Unfortunately neither of us had anticipated the long hill out of Henstridge which at this late stage in our journey turned out to be rather hard work.
We took the first right into Bowden Road towards Henstridge Bowden. Another lovely stretch of road, parts of which are on a ridge flanked with mature trees, with views both to the east and west.
As well as avoiding the hill at Yenston there was another reason for arriving at Templecombe from the west, a wonderful long downhill ride along Bowden Road. We could coast along and relax in the knowledge that no more effort was required for the remainder of our journey.
At the end of our longest ride to date JC looked as exhausted as I felt. Culturally and historically, a fascinating ride with wonderful views to boot.
Your longest ride yet. Well done you two!
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