On a cloudy but dry and mild November Sunday twelve of us enjoyed a five-mile circular walk from South Brent Old Station car park up the Avon valley to Shipley Bridge and back.

Setting off we took green lanes along the eastern edge of the valley enjoying views over to Ugborough Beacon and passing through Didworthy and its old TB hospital. On reaching Shipley Bridge we took a leisurely lunchbreak, commandeering a couple of picnic tables and with a mobile café near at hand.

We then returned on the western side of the Avon, looking across to Brent Hill and eventually passing through Penstave Copse, a plantation owned and managed by the Woodland Trust. Here we encountered a large party of woodland enthusiasts coming in the opposite direction. This gave us pause for breath while they clambered over a double style – shortly to be tackled by ourselves.

An old ropewalk then led us to picturesque Lydia Bridge. From here we walked alongside the River Avon back into South Brent and the Station House café for much deserved tea and cake!

Many thanks to Stephen for organising an excellent walk.