Bus Challenge No 148!

Mells River, Somerset

On a beautiful Summer’s morning set off into Bath to meet my BC friend, where we took a second bus to Westfield, and then a third teeny weeny bus that bombed its way through narrow country lanes and pretty villages to Mells. (I think the 184 bus may now be my favourite bus ride. The driver was so friendly, the journey so scenic, and everyone on the teeny weeny bus knew each other, it was like a village outing!)

Mells is a beautiful village with an awful lot of history and stories to tell. The influential Horner/Asquith family lived in the Elizabethan Manor House for generations, and as result, the church and village are full of beautiful works of art and architecture by the likes of Sir Edward Burne-Jones and Sir Edwin Lutyens. Siegfried Sassoon lies at rest in the churchyard. I could tell you more of the village’s history, but instead here’s a link for those of you who would like to read further: https://www.mellsvillage.co.uk/historic-mells/

After walking past the Manor House and visiting the church, we made a stop at the Walled Garden Cafe for lunch, a lovely little cafe set in the beautiful former walled garden of the rectory. It was packed, it obviously has a good reputation, and deservedly so! From there we continued our wander around the village, and walked along the river where there is still evidence of the village’s 18th century iron industry.

Before starting our return journey, a clotted cream ice cream was in order to fortify ourselves for the four bus journey, yes four! All buses were on time today with good connections, but on my seventh bus of the day, by which time the temperature was nudging 30 degrees, I was glad I was heading home.

Total bus journey time = 2 hr 59 mins
Total waiting between buses time = 48 mins
Total journey time = 3 hr 47 mins

(Having waxed lyrically about lovely Mells, I’ve chosen a cooling waterfall for my main blip, and added a couple of my other favourites as extras, plus a postcard in case you’d like a tour of the church and village. I couldn’t resist the pic of the two little children and their rather warm dog...)