AUGUST bimble: Wednesday 19th August – Norton St Philip
Walk description and terrain: A leisurely walk around the village of Norton St Philip. Discover the history of the village dating back to 1086 – it had importance in the wool and cloth trade with connections to Hinton Priory at the next village of Hinton Charterhouse. The pubs of the George Inn and Fleur De Lys played a prominent part in this trade.
The village is connected to the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685 in which a battle took place with the royalist troops. We will visit the site of the battle. It was at the George Inn that the rebellion forces had its headquarters and where there was an attempt on the life of the Duke of Monmouth who was staying at the George at the time. Following the end of the rebellion, the infamous Judge Jeffreys held court at the George Inn. He sentenced 12 people to death and we will visit the site where they were hanged.
The walk will also include a visit to the Church of Saint Philip and Saint James which dates back to the 14th century. We will encounter outstanding views towards the Mendip hills as well as passing the idyllic cricket ground and wonderful buildings in the village.
Lunch: Lunch will be at The George Inn. Please go to the menu on The George website to choose your meal. The George Inn is a Butcombe pub – if you have a Loyalty Card or wish to obtain one before the day of the walk, you can get 25% off the price of your meal. This is known as Butcombe Wednesday.
Walk Leaders: Rachel and Tony Howe. Please confirm if you’re attending by Monday 10th of August with your lunch choices. racheltony19@gmail.com. Rachel 07812 754847 Tony 07434 758992
USEFUL FOOTPATH MAP SYSTEM
See article here from West Wilts Rambling Group about local footpath improvement and maintenance. Also a really useful link to the Wiltshire Council Planning Explorer – just click open the Legend layer and check the Rights of Way box…
Click on an image to see it full size and scroll through the gallery
KEEVIL WALKERS ANNUAL MEETING 2026
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the new walking programme for the year ahead; minutes here: NOTES OF ANNUAL MEETING OF KEEVIL WALKING GROUP 2026
If you’d like to join in, find out more, or just receive regular updates and details of walks via the group’s email list, please contact Rachel and Tony Howe (870661) email racheltony19@gmail.com.
WALKS PLANNED FOR 2026-27 SEASON
- APRIL 2026 – ramble – Tuesday 21 April – Barbara: Larkhill-Stonehenge
- MAY 2026 – ramble – Geoff – postponed
- JUNE 2026 – bimble – CANCELLED
- JULY 2026 – bimble – Wednesday 15th July – Geoff: Boyton, Upton Lovell, Corton
- AUGUST – bimble – Wednesday 19th August – Rachel & Tony: Norton St Philip
- SEPTEMBER 2026 – Vivien
- OCTOBER 2026 – ramble – Colin
- NOVEMBER 2026 – ramble – Sarah – Bowden Hill area
- NEW YEAR! 2027 – bimble – Saturday 2nd January – to the Lamb on the Strand
- FEBRUARY 2027 – ramble – Sarah
- MARCH 2027 – ramble – Rachel & Tony
Previous seasons
- MARCH 2026 – bimble: Wednesday 18th March – Rachel & Tony Howe, Midford
- FEBRUARY 2026 – ramble: Wednesday 11th February – Sarah Dow, Westwood
- JANUARY 2026 – no walk leader available
- NOVEMBER 2025 – ramble: Wednesday 26th November – Sarah Dow, Chapmanslade
- OCTOBER 2025 – ramble: Thursday 9th October – Colin Dimbylow, Horton
- SEPTEMBER 2025 – ramble: Wednesday 17th September – Vivien Carson & Juliette Hall, Berwick St James
- AUGUST 2025 – ramble: Paul Lenaerts & John Tucker
- JULY 2025 – bimble: Tuesday 29th July – Geoff West, Lacock
- JUNE 2025 – bimble: Tuesday 24th June – Geoff West, Harnham, Salisbury
- JUNE 2025 – ramble: Tuesday 17th June – Sarah Dow, Norton St Philip
- MAY 2025 – bimble: Cancelled
- APRIL 2025 – ramble: Wednesday 23rd April – Barbara Lewendon, Berwick St James
- MARCH 2025 ramble: Rachel & Tony Howe – Norton Radstock – 14 March
- FEBRUARY 2025 ramble: Sarah Dow – Upavon – 18 February
- JANUARY 2025 ramble: Sarah Dow – East Woodlands – 22 January
- NOVEMBER 2024 ramble: Barbara Lewendon – Ramsbury – 20 November
- OCTOBER 2024 ramble: Colin Dimbylow – Westwood, Avoncliff & Iford – October 25
- SEPTEMBER 2024 ramble: Tony Howe – Radstock – 25 September
- SEPTEMBER 2024 bimble: Geoff West – replaced by Swanage trip
- AUGUST 2024 bimble: Geoff West – POSTPONED
- JULY AWAY DAY to SWANAGE 2024: Geoff West – rescheduled to September 20th
- JUNE 2024 Ramble: Tuesday 18 June – Nunney – Sarah Dow
- MAY 2024 Walk-from-the-Door: BH Monday 06 May- Edington – Sarah Dow
- APRIL 2024 Ramble: Paul Lenaerts & John Tucker POSTPONED
- MARCH 2024 Ramble: Isobel Geddes POSTPONED
- FEBRUARY 2024 Bimble: Wednesday 28 February – Caen Hill Locks – Barbara Lewendon
- JANUARY 2024 Ramble: Wednesday 17 January – Bremhill & Maud’s Monument – Sarah Dow
History of the Walking Group
It’s all thanks to Ray Ward who started the group over 25 years ago, ably assisted by David Bodman who together until recently organised numerous fascinating walks throughout the area.
We continue their legacy by meeting once a month for a walk which is always followed by a fabulous pub lunch. Walks (rambles) vary, usually between 4 – 6 miles, and we pace ourselves to suit the slowest walker, with time to enjoy the countryside views. In 2019, Geoff West introduced ‘bimbles’ – short and easy walks in the summer months, running alongside the longer rambles, for those who prefer something less demanding but still want to enjoy good company in lovely countryside.
New walkers are always welcome whether to just participate or organise a walk for the group! Full details of forthcoming walks are published in the Village magazine and here on the village website (and promoted on the Buzz Roundup).
For more information please contact Tony and Rachel Howe on 01380 870661 or email racheltony19@gmail.com
BIMBLES and RAMBLES
Bimbles are shorter, easy-going walks of around 3-3.5 miles on well-established tracks and without stiles; Rambles are longer walks of 4-6+ miles with more mixed terrains and stiles. Both conclude at a pub for lunch. For further details, particularly if you would like to join us for the first time, or would like to organise and lead a walk, please contact Geoff West (870425) in connection with the Bimbles and for all other walks, Rachel and Tony Howe (870661).
All walks will take into consideration advice given by the Ramblers Association www.ramblers.org.uk whilst we continue with caution during the pandemic.
COVID AWARENESS FOR KEEVIL WALKERS
- If you, or any member of your household , have COVID-19 symptoms, you should not take part in any activities with the Walking Group during this time.
- If you, or any member of your household, are clinically vulnerable, you should take extra care to minimise contact with others. Taking part in a walk could put you and those around you, at a higher risk.
- You do not have to feel obliged to join the walk just because you are a listed member of the Keevil Walkers.
- Remember, paths can be slippery in wet weather, steep declines when muddy can be treacherous. Do not put yourself at risk if you feel you might have an accident which might lead to hospitalisation..
KEEVIL VILLAGE 