A recce had been done a few days earlier with splendid views under a sunny sky. At 8am on the day of the walk it was pouring with rain.

Six intrepid walkers met me at the Strode Road car park at 9.30am and though it was still damp and overcast the rain had eased off. When we arrived at the base of Crook Peak half an hour later the rain had ceased and the sky was brightening.

The walk began with a short detour into the delightful village of Compton Bishop, listed in the Domesday Book as Comtone and the property of the Bishop of Wells. We looked briefly at the peaceful Church of St Andrew with its fine 14th century Perpendicular stonework. We then followed a gradual climb on a good path to the Peak, which is 175m or 574ft high.

As we made our way up the sky continued to clear and, once past the cows with their calves and out of the woods, a glorious vista emerged. At the summit there are extensive views of the Mendips and across to Glastonbury Tor, Brent Knoll, Worlebury Hill and Clevedon. A shorter path was taken back down to the cars. The walk took just over two hours. We then drove to the nearby New Inn at Cross where a very good lunch was had by all.

Report by Ross Janes
Photos by Ross, and Wendy Moore