Walk West Tone
A day of walking and talking with old friends and new, open churches with flowers, music, tea and cakes. A day for everyone in the community to enjoy together.
Walk West Tone 2026 is taking place on Saturday 20th June. The route covers 14 miles from Sampford Arundel to Ashbrittle, winding through beautiful lanes and countryside. We wend our way from church to church, these beautiful old buildings acting as waypoints as we travel the landscape in which they lie. All the churches will provide a warm welcome with refreshments to keep us going, and the day ends with a community ‘Sausage Sizzle’ BBQ in Ashbrittle.
Pictures and video from last year’s event can be seen below, to give you a feel for the day.
OS Maps App users click here on your mobile or tablet to see the route.
📣 Come and enjoy 📣
To be kept in the loop with plans and to register your interest in the event, please email us on walkwesttone@icloud.com
We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
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Departure times from each church
9.00am
10.25am
12.05pm
1.25pm
2.50pm
4.05pm
5.40pm
6.20pm
Holy Cross Sampford Arundel
All Saints Rockwell Green
St. Margaret's Thorne St. Margaret
St. Peter's Greenham
St. Nicholas' Kittisford
St. Bartholomew's Bathealton
St. Michael's Stawley
Arrive St. John the Baptist Ashbrittle
2026 Route Guide
The route uses the 8 churches of the West Tone Benefice as route markers and places for walkers to join or leave the event, as well as great places to find tea and cake and a chat.
Some people will want to walk the full 14 mile route, while others might join in for two or three legs having arranged to leave a car in a strategic place – it’s completely up to you.
Walkers will be at each church to socialise, sing and eat cake for about 30 minutes before each departure.
Description of each of the legs between churches
Sampford Arundel to Rockwell Green 2.4 miles, fairly flat
Depart Holy Cross church at 09.00; mixture of road and cross-country footpaths via Prowse Farm and Westford, then through Dobree Park to All Saints’ church, arriving around 10.00
Rockwell Green to Thorne St Margaret 2.7 miles, gently undulating
Depart All Saints’ church at 10.25; roads and country lanes for the first half via Westford and Payton, then cross-country footpaths via Holywell Lake and the Millennium Wood to St Margaret’s church, arriving around 11.35
Thorne St Margaret to Greenham 1.8 miles, mostly downhill or flat
Depart St Margaret’s at 12.05; cross-country with lanes and footpaths via Cothay, Elworthy Farm and the remains of the Grand Western Canal to St Peter’s, arriving around 12.55
Greenham to Kittisford 2 miles, mostly flat
Depart St Peter’s at 13.25; we retrace our steps along the old canal and past Cothay, then turn across the fields to St Nicholas’, arriving around 14.20
Kittisford to Bathealton 1.4 miles, gently undulating
Depart St Nicholas’ at 14.50; a mixture of lanes and footpaths as we walk through the beautiful gardens of Kittisford House before following the lanes towards St Bartholomew’s, arriving around 15.35 for tea in the village hall
Bathealton to Stawley 1.9 miles, some longish uphill sections
Depart St Batholomew’s at 16.05; a long pull up Bullockfield Hill, then over the fields past Stawley Wood Farm and down the lane to St Michael & All Angels, arriving around 17.10 to the sound of the church bells and the Village Festival Choir
Stawley to Ashbrittle 1.6 miles, including the biggest hill of the day to finish us off!
Depart St Michael & All Angels at 17.40; on country lanes all the way, setting off down past Stawley Mill and then the long pull up ‘the Chackeridge Mountain’ to the finish at St John the Baptist at around 18.20 (and thence to the Sausage Sizzle at Greywells House opposite the village hall on the green!)
Your questions answered
Can't see your question here? Email walkwesttone@icloud.com and we'll be delighted to help.
· Is this just for churchgoers?
No! Everyone is welcome - the more the merrier. This is a community event, and we hope everyone will enjoy meeting others from their local community as they walk.
· 14 miles sounds a long way... do I have to walk all of it?
No! The average distance from church to church is 2 miles, so you could walk just one section which is near your house, or join up with a friend who wants to walk 6 miles and park a car at each end of the bit you want to do. You might prefer to cycle, or to drive to a church and join in the activities there. However you choose to join in, you will be made very welcome!
· Can I bring friends or relatives from outside the area along with me?
Yes, please do. Once you have a plan, know how many of you there will be and how much of the walk you plan to do, it would be very helpful if you could email this information to walkwesttone@icloud.com
· Wait... does that mean I can only take part if I've signed up in advance?
No, it's absolutely fine to just turn up on the day too - advance notice just helps us to make sure there's enough cake to go round.
· Can I bring my dog?
Yes, dogs are welcome to take part with their well-trained owners. Please keep your dog on a lead and be sensitive to the fact that not everyone likes dogs. It goes without saying that anyone bringing a dog is responsible for its behaviour, for picking up any small tributes it may produce, and for ensuring its well-being with regard to water and body temperature. There are several stiles on the route which do not have 'dog slots', and we will cross farmland on several occasions.
· What about toilets? Are there any on the route?
Many of the churches are arranging for there to be access to a toilet (this may be in the village hall or someone's house). Rockwell Green church has its own toilets.
· Will there be refreshments available?
Yes! If there's one thing churches do particularly well, it's tea and cake. However, all participants should remember that they are responsible for their own well-being, so please bring your own packed lunch and plenty to drink if you are taking part in the full day.
· What kind of terrain will I be walking on?
The route is a mixture of footpaths, bridleways and country lanes. Robust and supportive footwear is recommended, and walkers should be prepared for going both uphill and downhill (unavoidable in West Tone!).
· Is the event raising money for charity?
No, the walk is not a fundraiser, just a chance to walk and talk with old friends and new in our local community. However, those who join us for the free BBQ at the end are asked to bring some cash to donate to two charities, one local and one global.
Photos from last year's Walk West Tone
West Tone Benefice
Connecting community and church across the beautiful countryside of West Tone
Contact Revd Andy Barton
07795 699737
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