Walk from Neyland Marina to Benton Woods via Sardis Cromlech and Benton Castle
     Saturday 8 May 2021

My first lead walk in well over a decade and the weather forecast was dismal. Heavy rain all day.
Eight brave souls came on the walk. Amazingly the weather was not so bad after all.
We walked along the Brunel Trail beside the lake to the Westfield Pill cutting through the Westfield
Pill Nature Reserve then up through the trees to Lower Thurston with its pretty water garden.
Across fields to the ancient cromlech where we had coffee. Though little is known about this
cromlech, it is reputedly well over 5000 years old, predating the pyramids. It stands in a high
position looking over towards the Haven. This was our coffee spot.
We continued to Hill Mountain, crossing the main road and taking a back road to reach Newton
Farm lane, which passes over high exposed grassy fields with views over the Cleddau rivers and
Picton Point. Needless to say, the planned very exposed lunch spot was traded for a niche in the
woods a little further on. We found some late wood anemones near Benton Castle. The castle is still
inhabited and private. It is a whitewashed Grade II listed building dating back to the 13 th century.
From here we were on a tarred lane which passes through thick ancient woodland. We crossed
Rhoose Ferry Lane leaving woodland to follow a lane passed Mountain Park Farm then on to Cudlic
Farm and Beggars Reach Hotel. At South Lodge we took a path towards Burton Church bearing right
across two fields to reach the main road. Crossing this, we made our way back along Oxland Lane to
the Westfield Nature Reserve and Brunel Quay.

Vanessa