Strawberry Line - Jan 2025
| Hiking the Strawberry Line - Windscombe to Yatton | |
|
Many people had recommended that we hike the famous Strawberry line, and today was the day.
Because it is a "there-and-back" route, we had to choose how far we can manage
to walk and where we can park Percy. We ended up with parking at the
Winscombe cricket club, walking through Sandford and Congresbury to Yatton...
and all the way back again.
By the time we got back to Percy, we had walked 22 km in 4 hours. We also had a one-hour break for lunch at the half-way mark. A very flat day indeed with only 140 metres climbing. |
|
|
|
|
From 1869 a train line was opened from Yatton through Cheddar, Wells,
Shepton Mallet to Witham Junction. It became known as the "Strawberry Line" because
it carried locally grown strawberries to London and Birmingham. The line was
important also to carry other goods and people.
The hiking and biking path follows the old railway line and is therefore very flat and easy to walk. Local roads cross the trail on stone bridges. The trail surface also seems like it stays dry even in the rain. A good day for hiking boots and no wellies. |
|
|
|
| Along the trail some of the old train stations have been restored t make nice feature and picnic area. This one is Old Station Green. | |
|
|
|
We can't find any photos, but we quite enjoyed our stop in Sandford Station
where we found a public bathroom. There is also a railway heritage centre, but
we didn't take time to stop.
Congresbury Station was not restored as well as Old Station Green, but one can clearly see the original platform. |
|
|
|
|
Much of the trail goes across farmland - far away from any car roads.
Many of the trails did merge and cross farm tracks, so we saw a lot of
farmland and farm animals. At one point Rob broke into song -
changed a bit since Stealers Wheel in 1972:
Moos to the left of me Neighs to the right of me Here I am, stuck in the middle with you" Side note: We were excited to walk past "Silver Springs" remembering good times visiting Eija in Silver Spring, Maryland. |
|
|
|
|
We felt sorry for this white swan floating in a farm draining ditch (rhyne) -
green due to nutrient imbalance. He seemed happy enough and just gave us
a dismissive look - as most swans do.
During our walk we did learn more about the concept of a "Permissive Path". Basically, it isn't a public path, but the landowner is permitting us to use it. In this case, it is closed one day a year. |
|
|
|
|
Our trail also ran through forested areas and wetlands. Just before
we reached our end-point, we passed through yet another Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
called Biddle Street. We forgot to take photos again.
And there the end was: Yatton train station! It was a quiet day on the platform, but the cafe was busy. They kindly sold us a cold drink and let us use their toilet. Happy days. |
|
|
|
|
We had now done half of our journey. It was time to fire up the Trangia stove
and make tea while enjoyed lunch: scotch eggs but no strawberries.
Then we saw everything again - only backwards. |
|
|
|
|
Postscript: We wore walking boots and that was a good idea. |
January 2025