FROME & DISTRICT PROBUS WALK
Kilmersdon/with Pub lunch, The Jolliffe Arms, Kilmersdon, BA3 5TD Parking in The Village Hall Car Park on the left as you enter the village
Tuesday 2nd June 2026– 10.30 am prompt start for long walk – 11.30 am start for short walk
From leaving the pub we climb Jack and Jill Hill. This is supposed to have been the inspiration for the nursery rhyme of the same name. There are several theories about the origin of the rhyme. One story is that Jack and Jill were a married couple, who lived in Kilmersdon. One day Jack went up the hill to collect some water when he was killed by a boulder dislodged from a nearby quarry, which hit him on the head. Jill died of a broken heart shortly after giving birth to their son, who was then raised by the villagers of Kilmersdon and known as Jill’s son. The surname Gilson is apparently still common in the Kilmersdon area.
We than walk along a quiet lane towards Radstock turning off at a footpath at the top of a disused inclined plane. The Incline was used for transporting coal wagons from Kilmersdon colliery to the exchange sidings on the North Somerset Railway. Kilmersdon colliery was the last to be closed in the Somerset Coalfield in 1973. Having descended the 1 in 4 gradient we come out on to the track of the North Somerset Railway and return on level ground to Kilmersdon.
The walk is 3¼ miles long. There are no stiles but a few steep slopes. With the exception of the footpath leading to the incline this is a mud free walk.
The long walk will be led by Arnold Hodgson. As yet, we have no leader for the short walk. However, access to the track of the North Somerset Railway is only a short walk from the pub and there is easy walking in both directions on the track. Lunch is booked for 1.00 pm
Please note: I would like to know who is attending – so please reply specifying long or short walk and your menu choice (see attached menu).The Jolliffe Arms, Kilmersdon – 02.06.2026
Pubs have suffered from a number of ‘No Shows’ from groups of our size and people not paying for their meal so the booking has only been accepted on these conditions.
- Your meal will have to be pre-ordered on Thursday 28th May
- Food is to be paid for before sitting down at the pub and could you make sure that you get a receipt
Important Information
Wives/partners are welcome on the walk and a ‘booking system’ is used.
You need to reply directly to the walk coordinator (Arnold’s contact details below) if you wish to attend.
The deadline for confirming attendance is Wednesday 27th May • (no exceptions please)
The walk program is displayed on the Frome Probus website and is updated each month.
Queries and info – Arnold Hodgson (01373 839060)
Email: arnold