(a)
Powerstock church has quaint 19th century murals and a highly ornamented
Norman chancel arch.
(b)
West Milton church tower stands by itself at the edge of a field,
looking over to Eggardon Hill, capped by one of England’s most
impressively sited ancient hill-forts. The church was demolished in
the 1840’s, its stone used for building Powerstock school (the
building with Gothic windows passed by at the start of the walk),
after which a new church was built in the village.
©
Much of the charm of this nameless valley lies in its natural state:
hedgerows are retained, the rough grassland is too steep for ploughing
and gorse thrives; there is a profusion of wild flowers in spring
and early summer and Fallow deer are often seen in the winter.
(1)
The route leads immediately into remote countryside, with charming
local views followed by a deeper and even less spoilt valley beyond
West Milton. The return from South Poorton is along the quietest of
country lanes. Paths are not visible all the way, but route finding
is reasonably easy. Start the walk from opposite the church in Powerstock
and take the lane with No Through Road sign just to the right of the
seat and signpost. Follow it down to the building on left with Gothic
windows behind which turn left on the path between hedges. This soon
bends right and runs along t he side of the valley, with the stream
always a short distance down to the left. Keep level: West Milton
soon comes into view ahead. (2) After half a mile pass house away
to your left and keep forward, soon over footbridge, then bear uphill,
just to left of prominent stone barn, finding gate into churchyard.
Emerge onto road, turn right along it but after only 30 yards (3)
take signposted track on right: keep to left of houses to reach gate,
then follow track between hedges for 150 yards to a point where there
are gates on both sides. Take fixed gate on the right and cross field,
keeping level and skirting hillside on your left, to reach gate (4).
Route now follows left side of the valley, with stream close down
to the right: there is a clear path nearly all the way, crossing next
stile just above level of woods. After one mile hedge is now on the
right; (5) 200 yards later, cross stile on right as hedge bends left
up subsidiary valley: keep forward in semi-wooded area, picking up
clear path after 30 yards (with stream stile a short distance away
to the right). Eventually path is enclosed on both sides by hedges
and bends left up to farm (on your left): just after, path reaches
the road. (6) Turn right , into hamlet of South Poorton, then (7)
sharp right opposite house with post-box in the wall, on surfaced
lane. 20 minutes walking will take you back to the Three Horseshoes
Inn at Powerstock, ignore left turns to Poorton Hill and Poorton Hill
Farm.
