This walk takes about 21/4 hours, probably longer with small children. Stout shoes are recommended, even in summer there are likely to be muddy patches. The variety of scenery to be enjoyed on this walk is characteristic of the area; lanes between high hedges, open hilltops with panoramic views, and a beautiful wooded coombe where the path runs alongside the River Tone. From North Street car park turn right, away from the town, and in approx 150 yards, having passed the primary school, turn left onto the public bridleway beside Greenway Cottage. The first few hundred yards are metalled (this section is likely to be icy in winter where water runs across it) but the surface gradually deteriorates as the lane climbs steadily uphill.
In time the route levels out, and then continues gently downhill for approx 100 yards before joining what is known as Jews Lane. Turn right into Jews Lane and continue uphill for approx half a mile, eventually rounding a small copse and reaching a raised position. Continue downhill for approx 100 yards then turn left onto another unsurfaced track signposted as a public footpath. For the next 1/4 mile there are some excellent views to the east and south over much of the vale of Taunton Deane and to the Quantock and Blackdown hills.
By the time the track swings to the right some 500ft has been climbed since the starting point. The covered reservoir on the right represents the highest point, approx. 1000 feet above sea level. As the track swings left there is a gateway on your right, from here there are extensive views of Huish Champflower and the range of the Brendon Hills. Continue along the Iand for approximately 1/2 mile until reaching a field gate, Go into the field, closing the gate, and follow the line of the hedge on the right. In 100 yards turn right through the first gate into a field at the edge of the forestry plantation.
Although there is no visible path for the time being, the route is downhill at the edge of the field alongside the plantation. Swing right just before the field bottom, past some small trees and clumps of gorse, to a gated entrance to the woods.
The path is now well defined and continues downhill through the woods, crossing another path, until reaching the metalled road from Wiveliscombe to Huish Champflower. Turn left onto this road, with a cottage to your right, and carry on downhill for 150 yards to reach Washbattle Bridge.
Just before the bridge leave the road and turn left onto a track alongside the river. When, almost immediately the path divides, continue straight on and stay with the river on your right. For a mile the path continues through woods with some cottages to your left and the River Tone on your right. Once the ford is reached turn left up Challick Lane, a metalled road, which climbs very steeply to its highest point within 1/2 mile.
Downhill from this point with Wiveliscombe and the Quantock and BlackDown hills in sight, there is a road junction with Abbotsfield Farmhouse directly ahead. On the right hand corner of this junction there is a wooden stile into a field. From here the way cuts diagonally across the field, and is unmarked, reaching the Wiveliscombe to Bampton road via a small hand gate beneath a fine oak tree.
The route continues eastwards downhill along the main road towards Wiveliscombe. Initially there is no pavement so it is important to be very alert to traffic, especially if walking with small children and dogs. Wiveliscombe town centre is reached in 1/2 mile. Notes on place names (Source for these notes: F Hancock, Wifela's Combe; Bornicott and Pearce, The Wessex Press, 1911 ) The bridleway up from Greenway Cottage is known locally as Tytibye Lane. At its junction with Jew's Lane there is reputed to be the grave of a man called Tytibye, who had committed suicide. After his burial there was a stake driven through him, a custom that survived until the early 19th Century. Jew's Lane takes its name from the Jew or Jewe family. They owned land in and, around Wiveliscombe in the 15th Century, and probably earlier, as the name is thought to be a corruption of the Norman D'Ewe. It also occurs in the latter part of the 13th Century as le Jeu. The name Washbattle may refer to the site of "some fierce prehistoric battle near that ford over the Tone' - (Hancock). Recommended map for this walk: O.S 1:25000 series sheet 02 Wiveliscombe.
