Montacute, St Michael's Hill, Ham Hill and Witcombe
Through hanging woodlands to an ancient escarpment
Google Maps Open Source Maps| Statistics and Files | ||
|---|---|---|
| Start: Montacute | Distance: 5.5 miles (8.8 km) | Climbing: 284 metres |
| Grid Ref: ST 49839 16879 | Time: 3 hours | Rating: Moderate |
| GPX Route File | Google Earth File | About Montacute |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Start: Montacute | Distance: 5.5 miles (8.8 km) |
| Climbing: 284 metres | Grid Ref: ST 49839 16879 |
| Time: 3 hours | Rating: Moderate |
| GPX Route File | Google Earth File |
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)
The Walk: Montacute village is centred on the Norman marketplace, the Borough, surrounded by Ham Hill stone cottages. On the south side of the market place, there is no plank door with iron strap hinges. And in the north-east corner there is the 16th century country house called the Chantry. This was the home of Robert Sherbourne, the last Prior of Montacute, and his initials are incorporated into a carved panel below the upstairs window. Next to the Chantry is the entrance to the vast Elizabethan mansion of Montacute House. Its finest aspect is the eastern elevation, which is adorned with nine statues in shell top niches and flanked by gazebos. This was originally the front of the house. Along the top floor is a gallery 180 feet long, which houses paintings from the National Gallery.
Montacute
St Michael's Tower
On leaving the village, the route passes the Priory Gate House, an early 16th century building of great architectural interest. Above the entrance there is an oriel window with a different carving under each of the lights, and right at the top there is a coat of arms carved in the central merlon of the battlements.
The route then ascends the steep wooded slope of St Michael's Hill, the Mons Acutus (meaning 'steep hill' in Latin); that gave the village its name. According to legend, the Holy Cross was found on the hill in the reign of King Canute, and was later taken to Waltham Abbey in Essex, which then been became known as Waltham Holy Cross. The hill is surmounted by a circular stone tower, built in 1760 on the site of Montacute Castle. At the top of the tower is a little room with a fireplace and four windows looking out over the countryside.
The walk continues through Hedgecock Hill Wood, where there are badger setts, to the Iron Age hill fort on Ham Hill. This is the largest hill fort, in terms of area, in Britain.
Ham Hill Stone Circle
Ham Hill War Memorial
Within the ramparts of Ham Hill Hill Fort is a fascinating area of little hillocks, the result of centuries of quarrying. The quarries yielded a beautiful golden brown stone called Ham Hill Stone which was used in Exeter Cathedral, Sherborne Abbey and many famous houses.
The area is now a country park, an ancient monument and a site of special scientific interest. From the ramparts there are splendid views to the east, north and west.
Also on Ham Hill is a new site, a modern stone circle. It was erected as a Millennium project to commemorate the many centuries of quarrying that have gone on at Ham Hill and all the men who have worked there. Pieces of shell and other small fossils can be seen in the stones.
On the return to Montacute from Ham Hill the well preserved deserted medieval settlement of Witcombe is visited. Earthworks on the site include an holloway, lynchets, small enclosures, house platforms and a pond. Part of the site, including two house sites, is under plough. A quantity of medieval sherds and other material, including iron slag, has been recovered from the site of Witcombe village.
Acknowledgments: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.
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