| Date: Location: Walk Leader: Participants: Distance: Parking: Lunch: | 10 May 2017 Burley Clive Clive, Peter, Ray 7.2 miles Pay and Display Queens Head Queens Head ★★★☆☆ |
We parked in the pay and display car park attached to the Queens Head. £5 for 24 hours and you get your money back if you have lunch at the pub.
We discovered some time ago that just after leaving the village there is a path that runs alongside the road. We followed this up to the point where we crossed the road and onto the path to Black Bush. It would be easy to think that this path wasn’t there as its entrance is through a gate that looks as if it might be private. It was a really pleasant walk along this path, that runs up through the private woodland, with bluebells on al sides.
We turned left over the style at the top and then found a sort of path across Coffins Holms. The view from here is quite different. Another different sight greeted us as we came along to Long Pond.
We turned left over the style at the top and then found a sort of path across Coffins Holms. The view from here is quite different. Another different sight greeted us as we came along to Long Pond.
 Path Up Burley Hill |  View Across Strodgemoor Bottom |  Reflections |
At the bottom there is a path that looks very minor on the map but is actually quite wide and well established. There are lots of little tracks running all over this area but it is not difficult to find the bridge crossing the old railway cutting near Brown Loaf. We then kept quite close to the fence line all the way to Avon clump. Though it is not marked there is a perfectly good path here. We found a suitable fallen tree just before Avon Clump and sat for a while drinking and eating.
Although very easy at this time of year the route to Cross ways has some wert areas which might be difficult in the winter. Across the road we found our own path to Whitten Pond again not marked on the map but quite easy going. We rejoined the main path up to Helmsley Ridge and enjoyed looking at the enormous expanse of gorse and smelling the coconutty fragrance.
Nearing Greenery Bridge we seem to have, once more, left the main track on the map and found another perfectly acceptable track. Greenery bridge is no longer just some sections of broken brickwork. Crossing the disused railway we steel ourselves for climb to the top of Turf Hill and looked back to admire the view when we reached the top.
We then followed the path through the woods that comes out in the middle of the village. Far better than walking beside the road.
We had a decent lunch at the Queens Head where there are some very reasonable lunchtime special offers. Their tea though at £2.30 for a cup, not a pot, a cup seems a bit excessive.
At the bottom there is a path that looks very minor on the map but is actually quite wide and well established. There are lots of little tracks running all over this area but it is not difficult to find the bridge crossing the old railway cutting near Brown Loaf. We then kept quite close to the fence line all the way to Avon clump. Though it is not marked there is a perfectly good path here. We found a suitable fallen tree just before Avon Clump and sat for a while drinking and eating.
Although very easy at this time of year the route to Cross ways has some wert areas which might be difficult in the winter. Across the road we found our own path to Whitten Pond again not marked on the map but quite easy going. We rejoined the main path up to Helmsley Ridge and enjoyed looking at the enormous expanse of gorse and smelling the coconutty fragrance.
Nearing Greenery Bridge we seem to have, once more, left the main track on the map and found another perfectly acceptable track. Greenery bridge is no longer just some sections of broken brickwork. Crossing the disused railway we steel ourselves for climb to the top of Turf Hill and looked back to admire the view when we reached the top.
We then followed the path through the woods that comes out in the middle of the village. Far better than walking beside the road.
We had a decent lunch at the Queens Head where there are some very reasonable lunchtime special offers. Their tea though at £2.30 for a cup, not a pot, a cup seems a bit excessive.
We all agreed it had been a thoroughly enjoyable walk, with good company on a beautiful day.
 Slope Up To Avon Clump |  View Over Dur Hill Down |  View Over Whitten Pond |  Photo Time |
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