Weston-super-Mare - A Wander in Weston Woods

Weston Woods is a nature reserve criss-crossed with footpaths for those adventurous enough to explore.  There is a car park at the Worlebury Hill Road entrance or for those who do not drive you can enter via one of the many smaller footpaths along the perimeter.  I chose Wood Lane to the south – but be prepared for a long & gentle climb up to the ridge.

A “Wonders of Weston” sign advises:    “as you follow this path sense others who have walked this route” – might this have included the monks from Woodspring Priory?  I like to think so.

Trees arched over the footpath on the climb upwards and if you need to catch your breath look out for a bench and rest in the dappled sunlight. 

Perhaps this is where, many moons ago, a naturalist came upon a red squirrel.  This was his story: 

“I always remember one particularly fiery little gentleman whom I met unexpectedly in Weston Woods.  I was walking quietly up a mossy ride when the squirrel, in a desperate hurry as usual (though he had nothing whatever to be in a hurry about) darted round the bole of a great beech and nearly bumped into me.  For one moment he was so scared that he did not even stop to look.  He was round and up the tree like a little red whirlwind and appeared to consider nothing short of the tip-top twig half high enough. When there he stopped for a good stare and upon discovering that it was a mere man who had given him such a terrible fright his fury knew no bounds.  For a few moments he fairly danced with rage, spluttered, barked and scolded - and with his little teeth and nails tore off everything within reach throwing bark and lichen down in showers. 

That is squirrel all over.  He has a minute body but a very big temper. So big indeed that it has given rise to a quaint Western legend that at one time he was a much larger animal but owing to his ferocious disposition it became necessary to reduce his size for the safety of all concerned.”

Along the ridge bare trunks and fallen trees take on interesting shapes but no squirrels appeared for me – or did they?

At the western edge of the ridge can be found the remains of an ancient iron-age fort 

And then come spectacular views out across the estuary.

Weston Woods have also seen their fair share of tragic events but today is not a day for dwelling on sadness – let’s go for a bit of humour instead. 

One night back in 1934 a thief broke into the Claremont Hotel searching for money and valuables.  He pocketted a bag containing 5 shillings in coppers and forced open a cash box containing £4 in silver.  But this thief was hungry so he also helped himself to milk and slice of pie from the kitchen.  He then made for the saloon bar and settled himself down on a settee with a bottle of whisky from the bar and several cigars.  After a short slumber he returned to the kitchen, boiled himself 8 eggs, wrapped them in a dish cloth and made his escape to the Old British Emcampment.  When the owners awoke and came downstairs they were greeted with the sight of cigar ash all around the settee.  They also found they were short of eggs and that a pan of water was cooling on the stove!   The next day the newspapers reported that a Posse of Policemen were scouring Weston Woods for this audacious thief.  

If you wish to “Spend A Penny” on this walk you have a choice of taking the footpath which leads down to the Old Town Quarry and stopping there for a pot of tea and comfort stop.  Alternatively you could nip behind a large tree and hope that nobody spots you! 

On forest and mountain walks in New Zealand basic toilet cubicles can be found concealed genteely amongst the trees

WC in the Wairarapa

but not in Weston Woods!