This was a 2-hour walk, setting off from Axbridge. We headed across the fields and over the A38 at Cross, where we followed the public footpaths on my map. We went up through a disused quarry, where a lone rabbit hurtled into a crevice; over fields, where the reddest fox shot away into the far corner; and past the cute tennis court-equipped farm. It is a fairly steep climb up the bridle way, leaving the levels spread below and a buzzard circling above you, harried by a lone seagull. There you cross the West Somerset Way.

Over the brow of the hill, past the farm buildings, there are hints in the architecture to the more agricultural past. Go down a very steep lane, with Winscombe spread below you to the RHS, with sheep grazing to your left; into a grassy field; and then down on gravelly steps through blue-belled woods to St James' Church at Winscombe. Take a short snack stop of banana cake and water on a peaceful bench in the graveyard in the sunshine, amongst the old stones and the blossom-covered trees, and looking over the valley in front. Inside the church, the Sunday service concludes with the sound of the organ and voices singing.

Farther down into Winscombe, past the envy-inducing houses there is a stream runs alongside the road - then across to join the railway path, which is where the old Cheddar Valley Railway line, the Strawberry line, was. It is nice, straight, and even, with a gentle incline, through greenery and past the Sunday morning rugby game at the sports field there.

Down into the shady cutting, where the mud never seems to dry out, and into Shute Shelve tunnel, where the children hoot to hear the echo, you hold hands so as not to lose them in the dark. The odd drip catches you unawares, and then you emerge out into the light on the other side.

Farther along, with a cute picnic area on the RHS, set down and off the path that sparks future thoughts of summer lunches.

Over the A38, pass the frankly unattractive new houses and then emerge back by Axbridge, back past the field of sheep and their attendant llama family, and then down the road to home.

This is a good way to spend a couple of hours without retracing your steps, and with available hostelries en route.