Walk 2: Views of Dorset, Coker Court and St Michael’s Church
Length: Approx. 2.5, 3 or 4 mile options
Type: Circular
Difficulty: Stiles, roads, fields and uneven ground. Some steep inclines.
Footwear: Waterproof footwear advisable
Start: East Coker Village Hall (Grid Ref: ST537128), Halves Lane
Parking: East Coker Village Hall, Halves Lane
Walk 2 takes you around the southern part of the Parish, through farmland, woodland, private parklands and shady lanes, with views towards Dorset’s rolling hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
(To be used in conjunction with the East Coker Rights of Way Map. Path numbers in brackets.)
1. From the Village Hall car park, turn left into Halves Lane. At the T-junction turn right.
2. Using the pavement, keep the Millenium Stone on your left and walk up the narrow Back Lane (Y9/41). Follow the lane to it’s end and turn right into Back Street.
3. After 100yds, you will be entering Coker Court Parks. Continue in the same westerly direction through the kissing gate and along the tree lined footpath to Primrose Hill (Y9/7).
On your left you will see the recently restored ‘Ice Pond’ which, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, when frozen in the winter, supplied ice to be stored in the underground ice house near Coker Court.
4. After the next kissing gate, cross over the road and follow the bridleway (Y9/45) past Westfield Farm towards Primrose Hill (this track is often muddy).
5. At the end of this track turn left and cross a stile. Follow the footpath (Y9/5) south easterly, along the ridge.
The extensive views from this ridge extend across the county boundary into the Dorset hills.
6. Cross another stile, continue along the ridge until at the end, another stile takes you onto the road.
7. Turn right down the hill. At the bottom of the hill is the southern parish boundary stone (a ram).
8. Turn left along the bridleway to Sutton Bingham (Y9/44).
Here the route now divides into 2.5, 3 (go to number 16.) or 4 mile (go to number 19.) lengths.
Short Route (approx 2.5 miles)
9. After 200yds (opposite the farm entrance), you can turn left up the steps and enter the wood, taking a shorter route through the parklands and back to the Village.
10. Continue straight through the woods, exit over a stile, and walk straight up the incline (Y9/6 north) for 400yds. The Park will flatten out and then head downwards.
You will pass the Ice House on your right as you approach your original point of entry into the Parks.
11. Cross the stile and turn right down Back Street.
12. You will approach the historic Helyar Almhouses (Grade II Listed) in front of you and the entrance to Coker Court (private, Grade I Listed) and St Michael’s Church (Grade II Listed) on your right.
T.S. Eliot’s ashes are interred in the church and there is much history and architecture to be explored in this peaceful and beautiful church.
13. Heading back down the hill, leave the church grounds passing the Almshouses on your right.
The Helyar Almshouses were erected between 1640and 1660 by Archdeacon William Helyar.
14. If you wish to visit The Helyar Arms pub, turn right into The Paddock, follow the path and turn right onto the Village road. The pub is immediately in front of you. After your visit, return to the exit from the Paddock and continue following the road as it bends to the right (caution as there is no pavement for 100yds). If not visiting the pub, continue to the junction and continue straight onto the Village road.
15. Continue along the road as it rises then falls, past the Cemetery on your right. Follow the pavement, back to the Millennium Stone, and turn left at the junction, following the road back to the Village Hall.
Longer Route (approx 3 miles)
16. Continue along Isles Lane (Y9/44), which is often muddy.
This was once the old ridgeway coaching route between Yeovil and Crewkerne.
17. You pass through shaded woodland for approximately 600yds, and arrive at a lane junction. Turn left abd walk down the hill (Stoney Lane) towards the village.
18. After 400yds you will pass between two pillars. A footpath across the parks (Y9/8) takes you to St Michael’s Church.
T.S. Eliot’s ashes are interred in the church and there is much history and architecture to be explored in this peaceful and beautiful church.
The walk can now be completed in the same manner as the shorter route by going to number 13.
Longest Route: (approx 4 miles)
19. Continue along Isles Lane (Y9/44), which is often muddy, to the junction at the end (Sutton Bingham). Beware of traffic at the junction.
This was once the old ridgeway coaching route between Yeovil and Crewkerne. At the junction, you will have a view of Sutton Bingham Reservoir, with its resident and migratory water fowl; a popular local attraction with parking area and a 12th century Norman church – well worth a visit on another day!
20. Turn left and follow the road for approximately 100yds. Go throughthe second farm gate on your left and follow the footpath (Y9/9) cross one field to meet up with the village road.
21. If you wish to visit The Helyar Arms pub, or St Michael’s Church, turn right and follow the road into the Village; if not, go to number 22. The Helyar Arms will be on right after approximately 400yds, with the Paddock and the church on your left shortly after this. The walk can be completed in the same manner as the shorter route by going to number 15 (if visiting the pub) or number 13 (if visiting the church).
22. Alternatively, turn right following the road for 50yds. Turn left over a stile and follow the footpath (Y9/10) signed to Moor Lane across farmland.
23. After four fields you will come to footpaths which cross; keep straight on (one field) to meet Moor Lane by the Sewerage Works.
24. Turn left and follow the hardcore lane west (Bridleway y9/53) to meet the main village road.
25. Turn left, walk over the small bridge, and then turn right at the junction, following the road back to the Village Hall.