Butcombe Trail
Ring O Bells – Compton Martin, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_7045
The Butcombe Trail
It is amazing how far some people can run. But when I discovered that the 56 mile Butcombe Trail ultramarathon was on my doorstep I quickly realised it was about 56 miles too long for me.
But it seemed like such a great challenge running up and down the Mendip Hills visiting 7 pubs. So I got out some maps and planned a route that I could cycle instead. It had to be a road route so a few diversions were needed. Nevertheless it was possible to get pretty close to the running route cycling the same distance.
My own Butcombe Trail
The pubs are:
- The Swan at Rowberrow
- Ring O’ Bells in Compton Martin
- Ring O’ Bells in Hinton Blewett
- The Queen Victoria up at Priddy
- Rodney Stoke Inn
- The Lamb down in Axbridge
- The Queen’s Arms at Bleadon
Rodney Stoke
I did not want to go all the way to Rowberrow to start. So my first stop was at the Rodney Stoke. This was open if you booked in advance. But I was keen to get on as it was still early in the morning.
Rodney Stoke Inn – Rodney Stoke, Somerset, UK. ID DSC_9115
The Lamb
So far there there had been only a few hills, the road was quiet, and so it did not take long to get to Axbridge.
Social distancing was working well at the Axbridge market.
Social distancing at the market – Axbridge, Somerset, UK. ID DSC_9127
Queens Arms
Things we also very quiet at the Queens Arms in Bleadon. Next was the first big challenge of the day climbing up the Celtic Way to the top of Bleadon Hill.
The Queens Arms – Bleadon, Somerset, UK. ID DSC_9136
The Swan
It was raining heavy, then my turning up to Rowberrow to The Swan was closed somewhere up the hills because of road works. I did not want to half way up and face a hilly diversion so I skipped this checkpoint and went straight on the Ring O’Bells.
Ring O’Bells
Next to the main road you cannot miss the pub in Compton Martin.
Ring O Bells – Comptonn Martin, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_5058
I was impressed with their artwork.
Ring O Bells – Comptonn Martin, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_5044
And the multi-coloured kegs outside the pub.
Ring O Bells – Comptonn Martin, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_5049-2
Ring O’Bells II
Another Ring O’Bells pub next, up passed the lakes at Hinton Blewett.
Ring O Bells – Hinton Blewett, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_5033-2
I liked the pun on the village shop in the pub garden. Nice to have the sun back out.
Ring O Bells – Hinton Blewett, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_7024
The pub, and a couple of cottages, back onto the village church.
Church of St Margaret – Hinton Blewett , Somerset, UK. ID JB1_5029-2
The church had left a small patch of ground for nature.
Nature Corner – Church of St Margaret, Hinton Blewett, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_7028P
And Finally…
Another characterful set of finger posts at Hinton Blewett.
Coley 1 – Hinton Blewett, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_4946
Back home for a beer…
Butcombe Original
To find out more have a look at:
- https://butcombetrailultra.com
