Walk Leader
Steff Hutchinson
Capacity
10
The walk takes in All Saints Church in Burton Dassett, but also the Burton Dassett Hills in the country park. OS maps suggest the full route is about 2 miles, with 126 feet of ascent. You could choose to miss out any parts you don't want to do, but the church is substantially below the Beacon at the top. There are gravel paths and roads across some of the area, but it is best explored by getting out across the grass, and enjoying walking up and down the steep terrain.
According to the Country Park website, "the site comprises a series of rugged hilltops affording spectacular views in all directions and Fox Covert, a small woodland with a surfaced footpath. Opened as a country park in 1971, the 100 acres contain a wealth of historical interest such as the prominent beacon, quarry remains and the nearby 12th Century All Saints Church." The Norman church is built into the steeply sloping hillside, which is obvious both from the outside and once inside, when you see that the floor of the church slopes up to the altar.
The website A Church Near You says: "Built in the 12th Century, known locally as the 'Cathedral in the Hills', it is a Listed Grade 1 building which in 2009 underwent an enormous restoration project to preserve and restore some of its medieval wall paintings. It is a beautiful and tranquil place, of historical and architectural interest which continues to have a vibrant worshiping community which work hard to both maintain this beautiful building and keep it open as a worshiping parish church."
Nearby is a Holy Well, and the two structures plus the Beacon are thought to stand on ley lines running through the area.
Walk Location
Burton Dassett
Walk Directions
Enter the Burton Dassett Hills Country Park by driving up the signposted road from the B4100 (Temple Hardwycke). As you drive up the hill, you'll get to a T-junction at the top by a stand of trees. At the T-junction, the road itself bears right, with a left turn towards the Beacon. Follow the road round to the right, and then go immediately left towards a car parking area. We will meet in that car park area.
Parking in the country park is pay and display - I think it's a £3.30 charge.
Accessibility
The church is situated on a slope, with an easily opened gate and a folding ramp inside the door. There is parking nearby as well as parking in two or three other places further up the hill, so you could drive between parts of the 'walk'.
The country park is a series of rugged hilltops. There are surfaced paths and roads across some parts of the park, but even these obviously include slopes.
There are public toilets towards the top of the hill, by the T-junction.
Feedback Meeting Type
Zoom
Feedback Talk Date and Time