Synopsis: A local walk, just a five mile drive down the road to Broadclyst. Includes visit to Killerton House (National Trust) and Poltimore village and church.
(selection of photos from Flickr photo album – use link above to view album) This was another combination day out, in that it included a cross-country walk and a visit to the gardens of Killerton House. The inspiration for this walk was the sight of glorious magnolias in flower at Greenway the previous weekend. The word is that it is a good year for magnolias, so a quick Google the previous night threw up Killerton and my day was set. Checking maps I could see footpaths leading to and from Broadclyst, which on paper would give me a 7 mile walk (in boots they’re always longer for some reason). The weather was set fair, so there really was no excuse, not even the tiredness from the previous day’s gardening!
Red Lion pub, Broadclyst I park not far from the Red Lion pub, an old faithful house of refreshment often frequented in times long past. Well, I’m middle-aged now, and don’t get out much these days. 
It’s quite picturesque here by the pub and church, so I take a few photos before setting off. The walking is surprisingly dry and easy going.
In preparing this walk I was a little concerned about the fact that I’m in the valley of the M5 motorway, which on the surface hardly seems appealing. But out on the walk I find that the motorway is mostly quite unobtrusive, and it’s only when right on top of it that the rush of traffic becomes an aggravation and a blight. The countryside is beautiful and it makes me wonder at all these people rushing through it never seeing Devon for what it is.
Killerton House, National Trust I have a funny relationship with Killerton, as I did not at first warm to the place, and yet over the years I’ve begun to appreciate it more and more. I think it is only now that I am able to appreciate the elegance in its simplicity of style. Must be one of the (few) benefits of age. The gardens showcase the magnolias and rhododendrons beautifully, set across the hillside as they are. A glorious place to sit and each my lunch, a country squire for a moment (in my dreams) 
Apparently a National Trust property clocks £3 if I present myself, as a member at the entrance, so I feel duty bound to give Killerton my little support.
Poltimore Church
I came upon Poltimore Church a couple of weeks back, whilst out cycling, and decided I must pay it a second visit. It seems to me a little gem of a church. So charming and atmospheric. The rood screen is ancient, circa 1520 apparently. The church is dark, lit on my visit by shafts of sunlight. There’s a peculiar little gallery forming a second storey within the church. And on each side of the altar there are tile paintings which I think are rather pleasing.
Walk Statistics:
Total Distance: 9.2 m
Moving Time: 3hrs 36min
Stopped Time: 1hr 8min
Total Ascent: 260 metres
Maximum Elevation: 100 metres
No comments:
Post a Comment