7 June 2021
I have driven along the M5 more times than I care to remember and always notice the prominent hill near junction 22. Partly that’s because it is often the junction where I leave the motorway to travel cross-country to Keynsham where I was born and went to school. I still have family in the area. However until last Monday, I had never climbed Brent Knoll.
There are of course many more opportunities for bigger adventures on this map – for example a RIB journey to Steep Holm to land and explore the island, trekking over the Mendips and also exploring Brean Down – and I have enjoyed all these in the past. The trip to Steep Holm is a particularly wonderful experience. However the small but prominent hill of Brent Knoll has captured my imagination and the reality of it certainly didn’t disappoint me.
I climbed with my husband. We parked in the convenient village car park, commemorating the Queen’s Jubilee, where there is also a notice giving information about this thriving (and growing) village community. The way led up the road and then up a path around the church grounds. It’s a well surfaced and clear path all the way to the top and obviously a popular route for local people and visitors alike.
Once at the top, it becomes clear that this is an old hillfort and in an appropriate strategic position. The notice in the car park had also explained that it was an ancient religious site. There is a depression in the centre and a raised “path” all around the perimeter of the summit area. A large stone commemorates significant royal jubilees and birthdays both of Queen Victoria and of the current Queen Elizabeth. There is also a viewpoint marker further round the perimeter. On this clear day the views were far ranging and magnificent. It felt that we were far from the bustling motorway which we could see below us. The knoll is only 139m high but, because it is surrounded by much lower land all around, it is more impressive than many much larger hills.
We walked all the way round the perimeter before making our descent down a less prominent path to the north towards East Brent, its church with spire clearly visible. As we descended we spotted a kestrel soaring on the thermals. Looking back up towards the hill, the various banked defences were clearly visible.
We emerged on a quiet lane opposite Ralph’s Wood. This is an area of young woodland planted by Ralph Rich and his father Mac in 1999 and is now dedicated to the memory of Ralph who died in Canada, aged only 48. Access to the wood is permitted thanks to the generosity of the family. It is a beautiful area of trees and we walked along the grassy mown path at the edge down to the next gate.
We continued on down the quiet and narrow lane to the main village road where we turned towards the car park. We passed a trio of commemorative oak trees in a field close to the road.
All too soon we were back at the car and returning to our journey down the busy motorway having enjoyed our short but interesting walk away from the hustle and bustle.
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