The Samaritans Way
(a 100 mile route from Bristol to Lynton)
Image taken from Guide Book by Graham Hoyle - all profits from which go to the Samaritans
Click HERE for Web Site
All camp sites booked following a recce of the route and watering holes.
We are now undertaking this as a fund raiser for the newly formed Saxon Hill Scout Group and will be using the school minibus for the trip. We have all contributed towards a total of £250 as a thank you and to kick off the fund raising.
The 9th Lichfield Saxon Hill Scout group is unique in that it is only one of 3 in the country made up of SEN members, about 50% of who are wheelchair users. As with all Scout Groups it is a voluntary organisation but because of the nature of this group specialist equipment will be required to enable them to fully participate in some of the activities and to plan and pay for future events.
If you would like to sponsor the trip please contact
In preparation for the walk we did a training weekend in the Forest of Dean. On the Saturday we did a 6 mile walk into Ross on Wye from Drybrook via Penyard Park.
On the Sunday we upped it to 12 miles and did a cicular walk to May Hill and back.
Friday 28th - journey down uneventful, Bristol very busy with traffic but found our campsite at Regil , a lovely field with organic compostible toilets and a cold water tap. Joined by the rest of our crew, tents errected and local pub visited in evening for a really nice meal. I had salmon with pollock fillets in a prawn and mussel sauce followed by chocholate fudge cake.
Saturday 29th - overnight rain and a damp and misty start but everyone raring to go and a run into Bristol in the bus to Clifton Suspension Bridge which is very spectacular. Met by the local Scouts, about 10 of them and a photographer from the local press. After photo shoot, back over the bridge and the first 10 miles of parkland and uphill to Dundry for a stop at the pub and lunch. Then onward and back to the campsite. Buggy picked up 2 punctures at Chew Magna but these have been repaired - thorns and tyres don't like each other. Back at Walnut tree farm, it's the farmers 60th birthday, he's having a party and we're invited! The weather has improved and it's BBQ, disco and live music from a guitarist and fiddler. The cider and beer is flowing and we're up and dancing!
Sunday 30th - Everyone up surprisingly early after last night and we set off for Cheddar. A stop at a pub for lunch before a long climb is welcome and then down to the Gorge at Black Rock. Then it's up onto Cheddar Gorge , quite steep up here but worth the effort especially as we find the famous Cheddar Pink flower which is so called because it only grows here. Lawrence is in his element as is the man from Natural England who is here especially to photograph it. We drag Lawrence away and head down to Jacobs ladder, 246 steps down to Cheddar itself and head through the town to our campsite, Lawrence and Dick stopping to buy a gallon of cider to have with their tea - it's the really dry stuff, a bit like wallpaper stripper that makes your mouth feel like blotting paper. After dinner at the campsite, toilets but no showers again, it's a quick visit to the pub before retiring for the night.
Monday 31st - Leave Cheddar and head south to Glastonbury. Over a few hills initially and a stop at a roadside farm shop for first season strawberries. Then onto the Somerset levels with Glastonbury Tor always tantalisingly in the distance, until suddenly we are there. Through Glastonbury and onto Street and the YHA, still camping but use of the facilities and SHOWERS! Colin has been in the kitchen and cooked up an excellent cottage pie followed by apple crumble and custard, just the thing after 16 miles. Everyone retires fairly early and clean!
Tuesday 1 June - Wake to the sound of rain on the tent which stays with us from the start of our walk today. Along the Polden Hills and onto the Somerset levels. The rain does abate somewhat as we head over the King Sedgemoor Drain and the newer obstacle the M5. We meet up with the bus at Bridgewater Station to take us to the campsite, Fairways International. The owners, have given us the campsite free as we are doing this for the Scouts, so a big thank you to them.
Wednesday 2 June - back to Bridgewater in the morning by bus and off we go again. Across the fields via some tricky stiles and bridges for the buggy and then climb up onto the Quantock ridge. The weather is superb as are the views on either side and we reluctantly go down to Crowcombe where it's Happy Hour in the pub, all drinks £2 a pint and that's for real cider. The bus picks us up and takes us to the camp site for a Bbq of venison burgers, sausages and then baked apples with custard made by the expert, Martin. Entertainment is provided by Victor dropping his apple and running after it. Luckily it's still in the foil!
Thursday 3 June - Elizabeth has toothache and it's the emergency dentist for her. This leaves us with 5 pushers for the day and it's cloudless and hot and this is the longest day - 17 miles! Still, ever up for a challenge we head off from Crowcombe and knock off the first 4 miles with ease. Now come the hills and in particular Colley Hill which looks like the north face of the Eiger at around 15 miles. Down from here, then up and over another to Winsford and the Royal Oak to replace our fluid levels. Richard manfully goes up the mile long hill to send the bus down for us and we thankfully make the site where the owner has charged us £3 each for camping towards the effort. Thank you.
Friday 4 June - down the hill to Winsford and then immediately back up Bye Hill on a one wheel track but our expertise comes into play and we make it before dropping down a stunning valley and into Exford for lunch on the village green. Climb out of Exford and onto the high moor, the highest point on our walk at around 1440 feet. Down from here and into Doone Valley and follow Badgworthy Water into the camp site at Cloud Farm. Dinner is local cheese's and salads.
Saturday 5 June - leave Doone Valley along the river with one up and down before reaching Watersmeet and it's Devon Cream Tea time. Just as well as we need all our energy to climb out and over the top to our final destination, Lynton. Up to the church for a photo shoot as that is the official end and then to the pub for celabratory dinner.
Sunday 6 June - pack up, load the bus and the long jouney home.
100 miles of superb walking, recommend this walk to anyone. Thanks to the Ramblers South West for a great route.
Thanks to PJ and Martin at Delichon for the buggy.
Thanks to the Scouts at Bristol for the send off
Click here for a selection of Richard's photos