On driving into Compton Martin, the small community with a normal church, roadside pub and tiny shop/Post Office appears to be like any other traditional village in Somerset - but it has a big story to tell.
We’re not talking about it being the birth place of hermit and miracle worker St Wulfric, or it being the filming location for comedy film The Festival starring Noel Fielding and Joe Thomas in 2018.
No, better than both of those. The village, well the local pub The Ring O’ Bells, is famous for two secret gigs, one performed by Coldplay in 2013, the other being Kyle Minogue in 2010. And there are more, Conor Maynard, Becky Hill and Chas ‘n’ Dave also appeared on that night with Coldplay.
It’s because the Butcombe Brewery pub was part owned by Miles Leonard, chairman of Parlophone, Coldplay’s record label - not bad!
So the pub seemed the perfect place to start and finish a short country walk from the village, crossing fields with horses, llamas and hedges lined with ripe blackberries.
When you finish, you can look forward to a drink, or food, at the charming pub. Although we were a bit surprised at the £17 bill for a large glass of Malbec and a pint of Butcombe Original.
Here’s a picture gallery of the walk:
5. Back to the main road
Head straight up back into the village until you get up to the A368. Look left and you’ll see your end point in the distance - the Ring O’Bells. | Alex Ross
6. Ring O’ Bells
Time to reward your legs for refreshment at this charming pub which has been at the centre of the local community since the 16th Century. Inside there is a traditional bar area with wooden flooring and stone walls - while out the back there is a large beer garden. It’s not cheap, but worth a visit. | Alex Ross