Three Short Walks Round Eastcombe – And One From The Village Down Into The Toadsmoor Valley
It is rare these days for people to carry a map so in 2017 I put together these suggestions for visitors to Eastcombe. The intention was that these could be handed out as leaflets at the pub and/or shop to anyone making inquiries – but like most of my bright ideas that did not work. Readers are most welcome to print these off if they are planning to spend a little time in our village. 'The Green' refers to the triangle of grass that has the village shop/PO, The Lamb pub, and the Baptist Church at its corners – there is normally somewhere to park there, it is very central, and there is an interesting map on the wall of the shop which may be used to make sense of my notes. I hope someone, some day, finds them useful!
M A Brooks June 2020
Route 1 Starting at the foot of The Green, this walk passes The Lamb and goes along The Street as far as the seat that overlooks the village, and then returns to The Green via Fidges Lane. There is a gentle descent at first, then a shortish steep pull up to the seat, and a fairly level return along Fidges Lane. As a stroll this could take 20 minutes – with pauses to look around obviously it would take longer – and if there is a need to rush then it could be done in 10 minutes.
Route 2 Starting at the foot of The Green, this walk goes down to the junction with Wells Road, along to the spring and up to The Street in order to return to The Green. The short section from the spring up to The Street, and the final 50 yards up to The Lamb, are fairly steep pulls uphill. Like Route 1, this could be walked in a leisurely way in 20 minutes, or as long as one likes, and alternatively could be absolutely rushed in 10 minutes.
Route 3 From The Green in the centre of Eastcombe this route soon leaves the village houses behind and goes down into the Toadsmoor Valley, touching the hamlet of Bismore and then circling back up to Eastcombe. The lane is very steep so this is not for the faint-hearted. The lack of parking space will embarrass anyone who drives down, unless wishing just to turn and leave again. This is a proper walk as opposed to a stroll. Alternative options of route are offered, so it is difficult to suggest timing. The fastest down and up would take 20-30 minutes, but with diversions this could be turned into an hour...
Route 4 Route 4. An almost level walk (!), this takes one from the bottom of The Green along Dr Crouch's Road, and then circles to the left and down to The Green again. There are things to look at, but this circuit could be walked briskly in 10 minutes so is unlikely to demand more than 20 minutes or so.
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