Leg 6: Kingsbury Episcopi to Ham Hill [10.3k]

NOTE: Some details may alter as circumstances change, so keep looking [updated 06/10/2017]

Start at Kingsbury Episcopi - End at Ham Hill 

Route: 

Directions from Kingsbury: 

Note:
Paths on this leg change direction quite frequently and often cross with other routes. Also the Parrett Trail splits to go via either Ham Hill [the race route] or South Petherton [off piste!]. To avoid getting lost, baffled or disqualified a proper recce is a must!

Start in Church Street at beginning of footpath leaving road near church hall. Pass between garden fencing and hedges, then quickly cross small footbridge and veer left to follow path though gate, heading first toward and then broadly parallel with river.
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1.50k               ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions and possibly farm stock
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Pass through metal kissing gate in tree line then turn left onto road beyond.
0.05k               ♦ Beware traffic.
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At 'T' Junction turn right along road and away from river bridge.
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0.28k               ♦ Beware traffic.
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After passing farm buildings on left, at kink in road bear left onto path through wooden gate into field and with river initially on LHS. [Tip: When you enter next larger field aim for single squat oak tree in field line ahead].
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0.49k               ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions and possibly farm stock.
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Cross narrow concrete and steel footbridge then turn right, initially to follow stream on RHS.  After wide field you are in narrows veer left away from stream and across field to opposite tree line [Note: This is where PT paths diverge]
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0.50k               ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions and possibly farm stock.
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Pass through wooden kissing gate to go over small footbridge, then go diagonally across field to gap in hedge line opposite.
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0.24k              ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions and possibly farm stock.
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Coming from field head right to join track running between hedges.
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0.07k              ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions.
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Go left through gap into field and keep to hedge line [on your LHS] until reaching river.
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0.08k              ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions and possibly farm stock.
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At river go right following winding track used by fishermen to access marks along river.
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0.44k              ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions and fishing poles to be avoided.
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On reaching road, pass through [or over] very narrow stone slot access gap and go left along road.
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0.14k              ♦ Beware moving traffic on road and maneuvering to use business accesses either side.
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Go through metal gate on RHS as route leaves road and follows path alongside reclamation yard. 
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0.16k              ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions.
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Go left at wooden gate beyond yard, then shortly through kissing gate into open field and keeping hedge line on RHS
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0.23k              ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions and possibly farm stock.
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Pass into next field over small bridge through wooden kissing gates, then keeping to hedge line now on LHS.
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0.45k              ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions and possibly farm stock.
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After fields, where path meets track go right along graveled path between hedgerows.
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0.06k              ♦ Look out for pedestrians and dog walkers.
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Go left over small bridge and immediately right into field, following tree line on your RHS to far corner, then heading left to pass allotments.
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0.42k              ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions and possibly farm stock.
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Reaching graveled access road go right and follow road initially curving to right and then turning left toward main road. 
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0.26k              ♦ Beware moving vehicles, pedestrians and folks carting wheelbarrows.
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At main road through Bower Hinton go right and follow until passing Hollies Hotel on LHS.
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0.26k              ♦ Beware moving traffic on road and maneuvering to use parking either side.
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Immediately after the Hollies go left over stone stile along path between properties.
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0.11k              ♦ Look out for pedestrians and dog walkers.
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At field go left behind The Hollies then soon right near gate to follow hedge line away from town, then ahead through next metal gate.
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0.37k              ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions, with burrows and possibly farm stock.
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After double metal kissing gates path runs shortly by hedge line then across field heading to gate in far corner.
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0.24k              ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions, likely farm stock and electric fences.
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Pass through metal gate and go ahead keeping hedge line on LHS.
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0.21k              ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions, likely farm stock and electric fences.
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Pass through metal gates and continue ahead along concrete farm track until it finally meets Stoke Road
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0.90k              ♦ Occasional farm vehicles or wandering animals may catch you by surprise.
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Turn right along Stoke Road and over A303 bridge, continuing ahead into Stoke Sub Hamdon and along North Street.
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1.30k              ♦ Keep on RHS facing traffic and use verge to avoid approaching vehicles where no pavement available.
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At 'T' junction with West Street/High Street turn left then quickly right into Ham Hill Road and continue up hill [ignore footpath up steps].
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0.32k              ♦ Beware traffic coming from all directions and likewise wandering pedestrians.
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Turn into small access road on LHS and follow footpath sign upward, then passing through wooden gate on path leading toward top.
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0.27k              ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions.
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Nearing monument route veers away to left along path around eastern edge of ancient earthworks and avoids central 'quarry park' area. 
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0.63k              ♦ Mixed underfoot conditions.
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Reaching wooden kissing gate by access road to The Prince of Wales, go through and then pass front of pub and on toward country park buildings.
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0.18k              ♦ Be especially carefully here as people may be wandering around carrying glasses, plates etc and may also be a little 'under the influence'.
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Just before reaching country park building bear left, initially on tarmac path which then becomes gravelly through dip [do not go up inviting steps]. 
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0.20k              ♦ Keep looking out for walkers and trail cyclists.
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Reaching Ham Hill Road, cross to footpath opposite and take left branch when path quickly divides.
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0.16k              ♦ Path runs along side of bank in places, so be carefully of your tired ankles.
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Reaching hillside edge of Norton Car Parks, handover is at far side by stone information panel.

Additional information:

At Kingsbury, please use nearby on street parking as we have not made any arrangements to use the hall parking.  Space can be a bit limited in this road so kindly use room in other local roads to avoid clogging the carriageway or blocking residents driveways.
If you have time take a look at the church.  Its a fine looking building and has very well kept grounds.
The nearby Wyndham Arms is not a bad place to grab a coffee or some other refreshment, while waiting for teams to pass through Kingsbury.

At Ham Hill, although Norton Car Park is reasonably large please be as considerate as possible to other users. If at all congested please use one of the other nearby car parks, several of which are within a short walking distance.  Also, if leaving cars unattended for any length of time it may be wise to use one of the more central parking areas.
If you haven't visited the area before the country park is well worth a walkabout.  Aside from the views, the quarry working and general historical interest, there is often and ice cream van at the view point car park and The Prince of Wales pub is also worthy of a visit for coffee etc.

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