Walk 3: CHAFFEIGH, SHEDRICK & STRAWBERRY FIELDS
Distance: 5 km/3.11 miles
TVT Walk 3 Map
TVT Walk 3 pdf
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walk descriptions © Eve Higgs
This walk takes you along the course of the Synderford River to the ruins of Thorncombe's
water mills at Chaffeigh and Shedrick. It returns to Thorncombe via Forde Abbey's
fruit farm. Whatever the time of year, parts of this walk tends to be muddy, so
wellingtons are recommended.
Part of the walk follows The Jubilee Trail. For more information go to:
http://www.dorset-ramblers.org.uk/jubileeguide1.shtml
1. With the church behind you turn right and walk down Chard Street past the village
hall on your left. On your right , opposite Gribb View, is a grassy track called
Blind Lane. It dates back to medieval times. Follow it, ignoring the gates on your
right until you reach a gate directly ahead of you.
2. Pass through the gate and keeping the hedge on your right go through the next
two fields. To your left is the ghostly presence of Chitmoor Farm, which disappeared
around the end of 19th century. Below you is the Synderford Valley. According to
a document dated 1767, local people used to supplement their diet with the eels
and trout which swam here. The footpath runs down the centre of the field. Ahead
of you is a wooden footbridge. Cross it and there you will find the ruin of Chaffeigh
Mill, one of Thorncombe's three mills. (Thorncombe’s Industrial Relics) By 1889 the
mill had been decommissioned and was a residence. Retrace your steps. Go back over
the bridge and turn right.
3. Follow the course of the river and cross the next footbridge over a brook which
trickles into the Synderford River. Still keeping the river to your right follow
the path and cross the next footbridge on your right. Follow the track. You are following
the old road to Winsham and heading for Shedrick. It is mentioned in Forde Abbey's
13th century records. During the 18th and 19th century Chaffeigh and Shedrick, both
of which were water mills, processed local wool and wove the narrow cloth used to
for cheap coats and jackets. They may later have been used for processing flax. Remnants
of leats, waterworks relating to the operation of the Shedrick, can be seen in
the undergrowth to the left of the path. Following closure during the middle of
the 19th century the mill was used as a brick works. A rapidly disintegrating ruin
you pass its wheel house on your left.
4. Go through the gate ahead. Wheel House Road was turnpiked as part of the Winsham
to Drimpton line in 1827. Cross the bridge, turn left and follow the road to Forde
Abbey Fruit Farm. Here during the summer you can PYO strawberries, raspberries and
other soft fruit. To the left of the gate leading into the fruit farm is another
gate with a footpath sign. Go through this gate and walk across the centre of the
field towards two gates next to each other.
5. Go through the left hand gate. Keeping the hedge to your left follow the path
and go through another gate. This part of the walk is punctuated by a series of metal
kissing gates. Turn right on to a track. Keeping the hedge to your right follow the
track until you reach another gate on your right. Go through it and keeping the hedge
to your left follow the path until you reach another gate. Go through it and keeping
the hedge to your left follow the path until you reach a stile.
6. Climb over the stile, and keeping the hedge to your right walk down the middle
of the field to the right hand corner where you will find stepping stones crossing
a brook. Cross it and go through the gate. Turn left and go through the next gate.
You are now on Chitmoor, aptly named as the ground is usually very waterlogged and
muddy.
7. Climb up the hill, turn right and retrace your footsteps back along Blind Lane.
