Blackberry Brake and Kendleshire

Attractive rural walk past Blackberry Brake woods and across fields of Woodlands Farm, where author Dick King-Smith once farmed and wrote the children’s book ‘The Sheep-pig’ (made into the film ‘Babe’). Under the railway via a cattle creep to enjoy the undulations of the golf course with its pretty ponds, flora and fauna, returning along country lanes. Refreshments available in either the Village Hall/Miners Arms or either pub (check opening times). Toilets also available at golf course.

Start at Village Hall/Miners’ Arms, Badminton Rd, Coalpit Heath, approx 3.5 miles

1. Cross Badminton Rd using pedestrian lights and proceed (almost) ahead into Woodend Rd.

2. Turn 1st Left into Church Lane, beside hairdressers and old post office.

3. Continue along lane when it narrows and Turn left at the end.

4. Turn Right onto main Badminton Rd and then Right thr’ Lychgate into St Saviour’s churchyard.

5. Follow church path as it curves to left and then beyond churchyard to Turn Right onto Beesmoor Rd.

6. Take 3rd left into St Saviour’s Rise and, after Butterfield Close, Turn Left (dog bin) across the open grass to the kissing gate at far end. (Alternatively, 2nd Left into Blackberry Drive and Right into Hither Mead will also lead to the grass).

7. Continue through gate and along footpath, heading toward the railway embankment (you’ll pass woodland of Blackberry Brake on left and Woodland Farm, formerly Blackberry Farm).

8. Keep left beside fence to proceed through archway under railway (called a cattle creep).

9. Turn Right along main Badminton Rd to cross at first traffic island, WITH CARE.

10. Continue along Badminton Rd into layby opposite Park Lane. Turn Left through kissing gate.

11. Take the signed footpath, veering left across the golf course (follow the marker posts).

12. Keep LEFT just past the pond, after which you will pass an old mine adit (ditch-like).

13. Pass Right of the next pond (follow markers) and across a stone bridge.

14. Keep Right and then turn right onto a track leading to a kissing gate – but fork left to next exit if gate’s open (both exit onto Ruffet Rd but latter is better because it avoids walking along road)

15. Turn Left & then Right from kissing gate (or straight across from open gate) to enter another part of golf course. Follow path.

16. At junction (just before toilets) Turn Left and follow path up to exit via stile beside gate.

17. Turn Right into Ruffet Rd and continue uphill to crossroads at end – beware any traffic.

18. Turn Left and then cross Henfield Rd to use pavement. Continue up road, eventually crossing RamHill road, going under railway and passing Ring O’Bells.

19. Continue straight over road ahead to footpath (between Manor Hall & school)

20. At end of path, continue straight along South View Crescent; then follow it left to the main road.

21. Turn Right and the Village Hall is on your right (Badminton Arms is further along main road).