Yeovil Junction to Marston Magna

23/6/18 The vagaries of British rail ticketing meant that our return to Yeovil Pen Mill dropped us at Yeovil Junction. The direct route to Yeovil would take us along a busy road, so we went via Jack the Treacle Eater instead.


It was quite a pleasant walk along old footpaths, small open fields and woods into Yeovil Country Park. In there, we followed the old railway line towards Pen Mill. We are close to the Dorset border here. On the approach to the station is the Pen Mill Hotel.

We had two pints of Tribute (4.2%) for £7.30. Just up the hill is the Royal Marine Inn.



We were welcomed by some large dogs as we walked in and had bottles Newcastle Brown (4.7%) and Ringwood's Old Thumper (5.1%) for £5.75 and a game of pool. There was quite a contrast between these neighbouring pubs. The Pen Mill is a hotel/restaurant with a passing trade. The Royal Marine seemed to be a locals' pub. Both were welcoming. As was the Great Lyde.

We had two pints of Palmer's IPA (4.2%) and 200 (5%) for £7.90. You could tell Dorset was close. We chatted with some locals and had a couple of free samples.

The walk continued along the urban roads of Yeovil before getting back in to the countryside as we walked towards Mudford. The Half Moon Inn is the village pub.


We had pints of HSB (4.8%) and Proper Job (4.5%) for £7.40 in what felt like a cosy restaurant.

The route had been relatively straight forward to here, but now we had to avoid an A road and the border. The first footpath took across a field to a bridge that wasn't there. Then we worked our way towards Chilton Cantelo before taking a path across some fields that seemed go nowhere. Eventually we arrived at Marston Magna. The Marston Inn is on the main road.


I didn't write down the drinks. We think it was Exmoor Ale (3.8%) and some thing like the Yeovil Hopkandi for £7. There were a couple of excited ladies in who were on their way to see A-ha. We just had time to catch the expensive bus back to Yeovil. But at least there was a bus service.

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