Bridport, West Bay and Symondsbury

West Bay

For our first day of social isolation we decided to go for a walk from Bridport. We parked in East Street and, heading towards the centre, passed the Neo-classical Literary and Scientific Institute of 1855.

At the cross roads was the Town Hall which was built in 1786 on the site of a chapel. The griund floor once was just open arches and housed butchers' stalls and later the town fire engine.

We walked down South Street passing the wonderful art deco Palace Cinema and walking through the churchyard of St Mary's. It dates from the 13th century, although alterations were made in the 14th and 15th and it was restored in the 19th.

We followed a path to the river Brit and followed its banks past football club and Palmers Brewery with its water mill (made in 1879). The brewery dates from 1794.

We followed a path across fields and through a holiday home park to reach West Bay where we turned west. Almost immediately we saw our first butterfly of the year: a Small Tortoiseshell.

We climbed the hill out of West Bay - which seemed a lot easier than when we walked this way on the Coast Path: West Bexington to Eype Mouth.

Next there is the wonderful view down to Eype (pronounced "eep") Mouth with the impressive Thorncombe Beacon beyond. It is 157m high, compared with 191m for Golden Cap further along the coast - and the highest point on the South Coast.

Now we headed inland up a road and then left to climb towards Eype Down. We saw quickly saw our second butterfly of the year, a Peacock.

The route lay across fields and at the top we paused for a snack while enjoying the view down to Eype Mouth.

Passing Down House farm we turned right to walk inland along a winding and up and down path through woodland. I was pleased to see a late clump of Snowdrops on the way.

We crossed the A35 and headed towards Symondsbury across some exceptionally muddy fields. This brought us however a lovely view of the picturesque Colmer's Hill. "During World War I, John Sprake, woodman to Thomas Alfred Colfox, planted Caledonian Pine on the top of the hill. Sir John Colfox then planted Monterey Pine in 2006. The trees have since grown into what is now the iconic silhouette you see today" (from the Symondsbury Estate website).

We reached after a mighty struggle with the mud. The church of St Jon the Baptist is on the left and Raymond's School (founded 1868) is on the right.

We walked between the buildings and passed the entrance to the Manor House.

We continued along an estate road heading east towards Bridport and passing this rather wonderful sheep dip.

The path took us to to main road where were turned left towards Bridport. As we approached the town centre we passed this fine mill.

Conditions: a beautiful sunny day.

Distance: Almost 6 miles.

Map: Explorer 116 (Lyme Regis & Bridport. Chard).

From: Dorset magazine.

Rating: Four stars.