Two Dogs and an Awning

Category: Buckinghamshire

  • Hanger Wood Dew Pond

    Hanger Wood Dew Pond

    After almost four weeks at home I am away again in the caravan, this time it is for my annual fortnight trip to Cholsey Grange Farm CL.  Lynnie is staying at home for the first week so Crosby and I will be on our own.  The injury to my ankle is gradually improving and in the last week at home I managed a sixteen and fourteen mile walk in my walking boots so I am hoping I will be fully fit for our upcoming trip to the Yorkshire Dales.

    The beauty of returning to the Chilterns is there are some good hills to test my ankle and build up some stamina in my legs.  I intend walking the Yorkshire Three Peaks towards the end of September so I definitely need to build up the muscles following on from over two months of recuperation. 

    After pitching up yesterday I went for a short walk in the woods below the site but today I plan to get out for a couple of hours.  There are many potential routes from the site but the one I choose will take me into Hanger Wood, this is a walk I have done a couple of times previously but I am particularly interested to see if the Dew Pond in the woods has any water in it after such a prolonged dry spell.

    I leave the caravan site by going through the gate at the far end and turning left onto the footpath to head downhill into the woods.  

    At a junction of paths I turn right to follow the clear waymarked route through Twigside Bottom.

    I keep with the path through the bottom of the valley ignoring footpaths that head to the left and right.  It is a cracking afternoon, sunny but not too hot.  I am not looking forward to next week when the temperatures look set to soar again.

    I stay on the path until I reach Chequers Lane, a minor road at Gravesend, here I turn right and then within a short distance take a footpath on the left which heads uphill towards Hanger Wood.

    This ascent is a good test for my legs and I maintain a good pace as I head up the hill. As I near the woods there are  fine views down the valley over Fingest.

    After going through a gate the path continues to ascend into the woods.  Soon on my right is the Dew Pond that would have been dug into this woodland to provide water for livestock.  A dew pond has no water running into it, so only gathers rainfall.  After such a lengthy dry spell I fully expected to see it dry, however, remarkably there is water in it and evidence that it is being used by animals as a source of refreshment.

    On reaching a junction of paths I turn left and then at the next junction almost double back on myself following a path to the right.  This footpath follows the edge of the woodland.

    Staying on the path I am soon above Hanger Farm, here the path sweeps to the right and descends steadily towards Fingest.  I ignore a footpath on my left leading down a track and go through a gate to enter the edge of pastureland.

    This leads to a fenced and then hedged path that emerges back onto Chequers Lane near to Fingest church.  I turn left towards The Chequers Inn, in the church wall is a post box dating from the reign of King George V.

    At the junction I meet two women who are walking along each carrying a pint of beer. I comment on how it is a novel way of keeping hydrated when out walking and they explain they are on a walking pub crawl.  They started at the Stag and Huntsman in Hambledon, then visited the Frog at Skirmett and now in Fingest they are going to pop into the Chequers for another pint.  Just to ensure they keep topped up they are leaving each pub with a pint to drink along the trail.  They are American and are very enthusiastic about the countryside and the quaint pubs.  Apparently they are going to end their walk at the Bull & Butcher in Turville and then get a cab back to Henley-on-Thames for a night out!  

    I enjoy a pint and like a walk, but I never mix the two.  I am not sure what state these two are going to be in come 10.00 tonight.

    I now turn right and head past St Bartholomew’s church.  This Norman church has an unusual tower with a double gable, apparently it is the only one of its kind in the Country.

    As the road sweeps to the left I take a footpath on the right leading besides a property to reach a junction of paths.  Here I turn left and soon cross a minor road.

    Now the path continues under Turville Hill.  After going through a kissing gate I keep straight ahead across the Downs. On the hill to my right is Cobstone Mill which has featured in a number of films including Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang.  The two Americans I met earlier were very excited at the prospect of seeing this windmill.

    At a junction of paths I turn left into Turville and then turn right to walk by the church and then stay on this minor road as it heads out of the village.  Shortly before reaching Turville Valley Farm I join a bridleway on the right that runs through woodland parallel to the road. 

    After crossing a minor road I continue through Turville Wood and when the path forks go right to head steadily uphill on a track.

    This is another steady ascent and a good test of legs and lungs on a warm afternoon.   The path bends to the right and continues through a fine avenue of beech trees.

    Eventually as it starts to level out the path reaches a tarmac lane and I follow this back to Ibstone Common where the preparations are underway for the village fete tomorrow.

    At a junction I cross the road and return to the caravan down the driveway of Cholsey Grange.  It has been a cracking afternoon to be out, my walk has covered just over seven miles and my leg is showing no ill effects.  So tomorrow I will venture a bit further.

    You can view this 7 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 171 – Chiltern Hills West

    5th August 2022

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2022)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • A Loop Around Studdridge Farm

    A Loop Around Studdridge Farm

    When staying at Cholsey Grange CL I don’t do many short walks, the exception being my regular couple of miles through the woods in the morning with Crosby.  However, I have a few things to do today and don’t have a lot of time for walking so have decided rather than rush a long walk I will take a steady stroll from the site.

    Leaving the caravan I go through the metal gate at the far end of the site and turn left and walk downhill into the woods and then in the valley in the woods I turn left and follow the clear path. 

    My route from here is very straightforward, I stay on the path at the bottom of the valley for just over two kilometres until I reach a stile besides a gate leading to a track besides an arable field. 

    Turning right I stay on the track as it skirts the field and passes fields with horses in.  On reaching a stile beside a gate I cross and then almost immediately go through a gate on the left to join the Chiltern Way.  This fenced path goes uphill and then through another gate to follow the hedge line around the edge of an arable field.

    I follow the path through a belt of trees and then through a gate to enter another field and continue besides the hedge.

    At a junction of paths besides a gate I follow the way-marker pointing left on the Chiltern Way and head diagonally across a field towards a clump of trees encircling a pond.

    After going through a gate I cross the driveway to Studdridge Farm and enter a field, within a few metres the Chiltern Way goes to the left through a gate and I follow it across a couple of fields towards Commonhill Wood.

    At a fork in the path I go to the right to stay with the Chiltern Way as it heads down through trees to the edge of a field.

    The footpath now runs along the edge of the field as it descends to a corner where the path divides.  I go left leaving the Chiltern Way to follow a footpath  steadily ascending through Hartmoor Wood.

    This path brings me back up to the farm buildings of Cholsey Grange where I return to the site via a gate into the caravan and motorhome storage area and head back down the driveway to the caravan where I get a good view of most of the four mile route I have just walked.

    You can view this 4 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 171 – Chiltern Hills West

    16th August 2021

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2021)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • Skirmett’s Roman Bricks

    Skirmett’s Roman Bricks

    On our travels I am always keen to find something interesting in an area which might not be a major tourist attraction but provides an insight into local history.  Around Ibstone many local villages have featured in films and TV programmes and I am sure keen followers flock to identify where scenes were shot.  Not being into TV or modern films I have little interest in these, but I do enjoy passing Cobstone Mill which features in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

    My interest lies in the slightly more obscure, and often the place or building I am interested in is identified by chatting to a local or looking at websites developed by local people.  The other evening I was looking at the Hambledon Parish Council website and discovered that a few buildings in Skirmett contain Roman bricks. I have previously walked through Skirmett but haven’t noticed the bricks, so today we are off to explore.

    We leave Cholsey Grange by heading along the farm driveway to reach Ibstone Common, we cross the road and continue along the lane (Gray’s Lane) until we reach a footpath on the left just before a white cottage.  This path leads steeply downhill into Parsonage Wood.  It is a cracking afternoon and this is a stunning bit of Beech woodland to be walking through.

    We stay with the path until we reach the edge of the churchyard of St Nicholas’ Church.  According to the church’s website there has been a church here for over a thousand years, the current building dates from about 1125. Unfortunately the church is locked so we can’t look inside.

    The church feels separated from the village, but apparently, until the time of the Black Death, the village of Ibstone was mainly located at the top of the lane.  Following the plague the main centre of the village moved a mile or so up the road towards the Common.

    From the church car park we turn left and then almost immediately right to head steeply downhill on a lane.  Within a few hundred metres we take a footpath on the left leading along the edge of Park Wood.  Sections of this woodland have been cleared recently opening up views into the valley.

    At a fork in the path we keep right and the path now follows the edge of the woods with a fence to our right.

    After passing through a kissing gate we head downhill on a clear footpath through trees and bushes.  This brings us to a gate onto access land where we go right to reach a gate into an arable field and cross this heading towards Turville.

    Following the footpath we reach a road in the village and turn left to pass the church and then take a right at the green to join School Lane.   

    Turville is one of those villages popular with film crews, amongst the programmes filmed here was the Vicar of Dibley.  Not something I watched but its popularity still draws people to this attractive village.  

    After passing the old school, which is now a nursery, we reach the end of School Lane and join a footpath.  After going through a gate we go straight on ignoring a path on the left and then soon pass another footpath on the right.  We then cross the field to our left on a path that leads diagonally across towards a minor road and woodland.

    After going through a gate we cross the road and enter Poynatts Wood.  We soon reach a field where we ignore a path to the right but keep straight on to re-enter the trees.  The footpath goes to the left and follows the contour line through another cracking bit of woodland.

    On leaving the woods the path descends towards Poynatts Farm.  To our left there are extensive views up the valley.

    On reaching a minor road in Skirmett we turn right and walk through the village passing the Frog pub and a number of attractive cottages.  We pass Stud Farm House and the road bends sharp to the right, but we turn left into Shogmoor Lane.  The barn to our left is one pf the properties in the village where roman bricks were re-used.

    Apparently the Romans had a number of villas along this valley as it was an important link between the River Thames and the Icknield Way and Ridgeway long distance routes.  When these villas fell into disrepair the bricks were incorporated into new buildings.  They can be identified by their thin irregular shapes.

    We now follow this lane for 250 metres to reach a bridleway on the right which we take to head uphill towards Hatchet Wood.  As we enter the woods there is a fork in the path and we keep to the right to head towards St Katherine’s Parmoor.

    This estate was once owned by the Knights Templar. In the 16th century it was the home of the Saunders family and in 1603 Mary Saunders and her husband Timothy Doyle extended the property. In 1860 Henry William Cripps QC purchased the property, this later passed to his son Charles Alfred Cripps QC who in 1914 became Lord Parmoor of Frieth.  His youngest son was Stafford Cripps the post war Chancellor of the Exchequer.

    When Lord Parmoor died in 1941 the house was let to King Zog of Albania, he had been forced into exile when Mussolini invaded his Country. In 1946 King Zog left for Egypt and the house lay empty for a while before the second Lord Parmoor sold it to the Community of St Katharine of Alexandria who had been bombed out of their home in Fulham.  In 1995 the last remaining member of the Community, Mother Christine, gave the house to Lady Ryder of The Sue Ryder Foundation, it has remained a separate charity providing a spiritual retreat.

    After passing the edge of the retreat we reach a minor road which we cross and turn left to join a path on the other side of the trees which runs besides the edge of a field.

    We stay with the path to go through gates and pass farm buildings and then at a junction of paths keep heading in a northerly direction towards Frieth.  In the village we turn left along a road and then very quickly take a right to follow a lane (Innings Road) towards Little Frieth.  At a junction with Spurgrove Lane we continue straight on along Innings Lane which soon becomes a track.  

    We ignore a path on the left leading to Adam’s Wood and continue along the track to reach Mousells Wood.  Here we stay with the track, not entering the woods, to reach a gateway into a field, joining the Chiltern Way to head across the field.

    On the far side of the field we enter Fingest Wood.

    The clear path leads us through the trees to a stile beside a gate.  From here there are fine views down the valley and in the distance we can see the caravans at Cholsey Grange.

    We now follow the Chiltern Way as it heads downhill into Fingest.

    At a minor road we turn left and walk through the village to pass the Chequers pub and church and then take a footpath on the right.  This goes through a gate and continues besides a wall to reach a junction of paths where go right to walk through Mill Hanging Wood.

    On reaching a junction of paths at Gravesend we turn left and follow the path through the bottom of the valley towards Twigside Bottom.

    After a mile and a half on this path we reach a junction of paths at a clearing and turn left to head uphill towards Cholsey Grange.

    It has been a cracking ten mile walk through some stunning woodland and we achieved our aim of finding some of the Roman bricks in Skirmett. 

    You can view this 10 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 171 – Chiltern Hills West

    15th August 2021

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2021)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • Brightwell Baldwin and Britwell Salome

    Brightwell Baldwin and Britwell Salome

    Having spent over a week walking from Cholsey Grange CL today the car is moving for the first time since we arrived.  The starting point for our walk is the attractive Oxfordshire village of Ewelme which is about ten miles from Ibstone.

    We park in the car park besides the village playing field and then start our walk by heading into the village, soon reaching the fine building that is the primary school.  The school was originally founded in 1437 by the Duchess of Suffolk, Alice Chaucer (the granddaughter of Geoffrey Chaucer).  The medieval buildings are still used today as classrooms.

    We continue into the village and pass the village pond and turn right to pass the Village Shop, which is also a tea room.

    Walking up the road we reach the village pound, this is where stray animals would have been penned until their owners could be identified.  These days you rarely see stock wandering freely, but when I was a nipper it was a frequent occurrence in my home village.  I recall waking in the middle of the night to find a herd of heifers in the back garden and on another occasion it was a flock of sheep.

    Opposite the pound is a building which was once the stable of Nancy the Warhorse.  A notice board explains the story of how Nancy was Sergeant Thomas Champion Orpwood’s mount with the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars in France  during World War I.  After the war Orpwood and Nancy returned to England and unloaded at Culham Railway Station, near Abingdon. As they reached the edge of the village Orpwood stopped at the Shepherd’s Hut for a pint and the horse continued on her own back to her stable.

    At a junction we turn left into Chaucer Court and then follow the footpath as it goes left again to pass converted barns and then right past more converted barns.  We are now on a bridleway heading north towards the B4009 besides fields.

    We stay with this path to reach the B4009, ignoring paths to the left and right.  At the road we cross and take a minor road opposite signposted to Brightwell Baldwin and Cuxham.  In just over a hundred yards we take a track on the left, Rumbolds Lane, going north towards Rumbolds Farm.  This is a clear track, but because of the time of year it is slightly overgrown in parts.

    After passing the barns of Rumbolds Farm we continue on the track to reach a crossing of paths.  Here we turn right on a broad track between fields.

    The track leads through gates into fields and then joins a track heading downhill towards Brightwell Baldwin.  On reaching a junction with a track we turn right and then at a minor road turn left to pass a gate house and continue into the village to reach St Bartholomew’s church.  Parts of this church, including the stair turret, date to the 13th century.

    Opposite the church is the attractive Lord Nelson Inn, we rarely stop at a pub on our walk as I am not keen on drinking in the daytime.  So we decide to pass and pop back another time to take a look.

    We continue through this pretty village, apparently its name derives from the old English for bright spring and the Baldwin part relates to the name of the family who once owned the manor.

    We stay with the road through the village and pass the Old Rectory on the right and soon after reach a crossing of tracks.  Here we turn right onto Turner’s Green Lane waymarked to Britwell Salome.  We have now joined the route of the Shakespeare’s Way and follow this to reach Britwell Salome.

    Just before reaching the road we take a path on the left which goes through a gate besides a cattle grid, still on the route of the Shakespeare’s Way.  The way-markers lead us around the field to reach a gate onto a lane where we turn left and follow this to reach St Nicholas Church.  Originally built in the 12th and 13th century it underwent major renovations between 1865-67.

    The church is open so we pop inside.  It has a fine 13th century font with a 17th century cover and behind it a very grand organ for the size of the church.

    From the churchyard we turn left and follow the track to cross a cattle grid and continue along a path and then through a paddock to reach the B4009.  

    We cross with care and turn right for about twenty yards and then turn left to join a track.  This is still the Shakespeare’s Way; this long distance path stretches 146 miles from Stratford-on-Avon to the Globe theatre in London.  This section leads us to the Ridgeway path where we turn right.

    The route now follows the Ridgeway soon crossing a minor road and continuing to North Farm where the Ridgeway veers to the left. Here we stay on the track and soon go by the edge of Icknieldbank Plantation.  

    Reaching a minor road we continue straight along it for a few hundred yards and then turn right on the Chiltern Way heading uphill.  We pass an area of outdoor reared pigs and then an arable field.

    We continue with the Cotswold Way to reach a minor road where we turn left and walk the short distance back to our starting place.  

    You can view this 9.5 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow our walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Explorer 171 Chiltern Hills West

    14th August 2021

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2021)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • Returning to Bottom Wood

    Returning to Bottom Wood

    After a week on my own in the caravan I have been joined by Lynnie.  She has decided to join me on a walk today as part of my planned route is through Bottom Wood.  I walked there a week ago and told Lynnie how stunning it was and she is keen to see for herself.

    We set off from Cholsey Grange by the farm track, heading downhill to reach the footpath leading into Penley Wood.  At the junction of paths we turn right and head towards the woods and then in the trees take a path on the left.

    We stay on the path at the bottom of the valley until we reach a stile beside a gate leading to a track alongside an arable field. 

    Turning right on the track we stay with it skirting the field and passing fields with horses in.  At a stile besides a gate we cross and continue on the track to go through the tunnel under the M40 and walk into Stokenchurch.  We continue across the green to pass the Kings Hotel and then join Church Street following this to the junction with Park Street where we turn right besides the Royal Oak pub.

    We have now joined the Chiltern Way and at a fork in the path we go right through a gate and stay with this long distance path as it heads across fields.

    Through another kissing gate we soon join a track where we go right and follow the way-markers with the footpath running beside a hedge.

    At a junction of paths we stay with the Chiltern Way heading diagonally across a field towards farm buildings in the distance.

    At a junction of paths we turn right and within a very short distance go left to cross a stile and continue towards the farm.  After crossing a farm track the path ascends steeply towards Andridge Farm.  Stopping for a breather we get a fine view back across the valley.

    After going through gates the path joins a track.  Here we leave the Chiltern Way and follow the driveway to reach Sprigs Holly Lane where we turn right and head steadily downhill into Radnage. It was our intention to visit the church in the village, but there is a funeral service going on so we’ll return another day.

    At a junction we turn left  and follow the road towards the church and then after a couple of hundred metres we go right on the Chiltern Way heading towards Bledlow Ridge.

    This path leads into Yoesden Nature reserve, this is a thirty-two acre site managed by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and is a combination of chalk downland and Beech woodland.  Before becoming a nature reserve the trees in the woodland would have been managed to produce timber for the furniture industry.

    This a cracking spot and there are some great views as we ascend the ridge.

    Keeping with the Chiltern Way we follow the path to reach the village of Bledlow Ridge where we turn right and walk along the pavement until we reach St Paul’s Church.

    In 1801 a church was built to the north of the village but this was replaced in 1834 on a site more central to the village.  However, that church was then replaced in 1868 by the current building.

    This church has the feeling of one that is being regularly used for community activities.  So many churches we visit feel like they are used for a service once a week and in between hardly anyone ventures in.  

    Leaving the church we continue through the village to pass Haw Lane on our left and then 50 metres further on take a track on the right.  We stay with this track as it descends steeply to reach Bottom Road where we turn left and then after 50 metres right to follow a path besides fields.

    We reach a minor road in an area of Radnage known as The City.  Although sparsely populated Radnage village spreads across a wide area.  Apparently this part of the village once formed part of the village known as Radnage Manor, this was owned by the Crown. King Charles I mortgaged the land to the City of London.

    On reaching Radnage Common Road we turn right and soon pass a playing field before continuing down the lane to reach Ashridge Farm.  At a junction of paths we keep left to follow a wide path towards Bottom Wood.

    The track leads through a gate into the woods.  Now we turn left and follow a broad track through this attractive area of woodland.  An information board explains the 36 acre Bottom Wood is owned by the Chiltern Society and was given to the charity in 1984 by nearby resident Cynthia Ercolani.  Later research suggests that Cynthia was the wife of Lucian Ercolani whose family ran the Ercol furniture business based in High Wycombe.

    Staying with the track we go through the bottom of the woods and pass a concrete slab covering a well.  Apparently this well is 100 feet deep and was once used to provide water to the nearby hamlets of Beacon’s Bottom and Radnage Common.

    The route through the bottom of these woods is an old packhorse trail.  After leaving the trees the route continues along a track to reach Ham Farm.

    After passing the farm we reach the A40 and cross to join a minor road opposite which is the Dashwood Roadhouse pub.  After 50 metres we leave the road and turn right onto a farm track heading towards Hillingdon Farm.

    Past the farm we continue to reach a crossing of paths, we go straight on through a belt of trees towards Barn Wood.

    After 300 metres we reach the edge of Barn Wood, at a junction of paths, we continue straight on through the woodland following a path towards Leygrove’s Wood.  On entering Leygrove’s Wood we carry straight on now on a broad track.

    On leaving the woods we go through a small clearing and then enter Pound Wood and stay with the track through the wood until we fork left onto a footpath that heads steadily uphill to reach a tunnel under the M40.

    On the far side of the tunnel we follow the track up to the B482 and turn right to join a pavement and pass a school.  We now cross the road and then a village green and follow the lane into Cadmore End. After passing the church we turn right on a footpath along a track heading out of the village.  

    At a junction of paths we turn left to stay on the track as it heads downhill to reach the edge of Hanger Wood.  As we enter the trees the path divides, we take the right fork.

    About two hundred metres further on we take a footpath on the right which heads through the trees to pass a dew pond on our left.

    The path now descends steeply to reach a gate into a field of pasture where we pass a redundant stile.

    As the path heads downhill there are fine views towards Fingest.

    After passing through two gates we reach a minor road, Chequers Lane, where we turn right and then very soon after turn left along a track with footpath way-markers.  We now follow this track through the bottom of the valley towards Twigside Bottom.

    After a mile and a half on this path we reach a junction of paths at a clearing and turn left to head uphill towards Cholsey Grange.

    This path brings us to the metal gate at the south side of the caravan site. 

    You can view this 14 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 171 – Chiltern Hills West

    12th August 2021

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2021)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • Royal Blue in the Chilterns

    Royal Blue in the Chilterns

    I am continuing my quest to walk routes from Cholsey Grange CL I have not  previously walked.  I have been on all the paths I have planned for today, but I don’t recall connecting them together in this circuit.

    Heading out from the caravan I go through the metal gate at the far end of the site and turn left and walk downhill into the woods and then in the valley in the woods I turn left and follow the clear path.  Since I was here last year the Ash die back has seriously affected the Ash trees and a number have been felled.  Sadly more need to be cleared soon.

    My route from here is very straightforward, I stay on the path at the bottom of the valley for just over two kilometres until I reach a stile besides a gate leading to a track besides an arable field. 

    Turning right on the track I stay with this as it skirts the field and passes fields with horses in.  On reaching a stile besides a gate I cross and then almost immediately go through a gate on the left to join the Chiltern Way.  This fenced path goes uphill and then through another gate to follow the hedge line around the edge of an arable field.

    The path goes down through a belt of trees and then through a gate to enter another field.  I continue besides the hedge and stop to pick a few blackberries for Crosby, he prefers it when I pick them for him, whereas my old dog Dexter would happily select the ripe ones for himself!

    At a junction of paths besides a gate I continue straight on leaving the Chiltern Way.

    My route now goes along a track and through a gate to cross the driveway to Studdridge Farm and then through another gate into a field.  At a stile I enter woodland and follow the clear path through the trees to reach a minor road which I cross and then follow a path into the Wormsley Estate.  This path soon starts to descend through Bowley’s Wood towards Wellground Farm.

    On reaching an estate road near Wellground Farm I turn left and follow the road as it heads south and passes the entrance to Wormsley Cricket Ground.  The road now becomes a track and on reaching a clearing there is a fork in the footpath where I go to the right to walk along the valley.

    After 600 metres I reach a junction of paths and turn right to rejoin the Chiltern Way via a kissing gate and cross a field.

    I have walked this section of the Chiltern Way on many occasions, I keep wondering whether I should tackle the 125 mile long distance circular walk.  It looks interesting. But there are a several other long distance paths I would like to do first.

    After crossing the field I go through a kissing gate and cross an estate road to another kissing gate and then descend across a field towards a gate.

    Through the gate I briefly join an estate road before following the Chiltern Way markers and take a footpath on the left.  At a junction of paths I fork left to stay on the Chiltern Way as it goes through Blackmoor Wood.

    The path now ascends steeply, this is one of those hills in the Chilterns that make the legs burn, but I keep a steady pace and make it to the top without stopping.  However, I am grateful when it levels out and continues to reach a minor road in Northend.

    After crossing the road I follow the Chiltern Way signs which initially follow a gravel track and then go on a pathway besides a house to reach a junction of paths.  Here I turn left to stay with the Chiltern Way as it goes through arable fields.

    The path leads into the stunning beech woodland of Fire Wood.  My walks at home and on our travels frequently take me through woods, my favourite by far is walking amongst beech trees.

    On reaching a crossing of paths I turn left and follow a track through Longhill Hanging Wood and continue on to Turville Park Farm.  I have passed this farm before and I am always intrigued by the old coaches in the barns, but I have never seen anyone around to talk about the collection.  Today pride of place seems to be allocated to a Royal Blue coach which says it is heading to Cheltenham.

    Apparently the Royal Blue coaches used to operate in South West England.  The company was formed in 1880 in Bournemouth by Thomas Elliott and was initially known as the Royal Blues and Branksome Mews.  In those days it ran horse drawn carriages but in 1913 Thomas’ two sons were leading the business and purchased its first motor charabanc.

    Gradually the company acquired other local bus services and became a major operator in the south west before the Elliott brothers sold the company in 1934 to Western National and Southern National. Later Lynnie says she remembers travelling to Devon from Poole on holidays on the Royal Blue coach, but assures me it wasn’t the charabanc! 

    After passing the farm I continue along the track and then go through a gate and stay with the track between arable fields.

    At a junction of paths I turn left and head up the hill, this is another short steep ascent and at the top there is a conveniently placed bench where I sit and have a drink and admire the view.

    Refreshed I resume walking along a fence lined track towards Balham’s Lane.

    At the road I turn left and walk steadily uphill to reach Turville Heath which I cross towards the Barn cafe.

    At the cafe I turn left and then after passing a cottage take a bridleway on the right which soon starts to descend steeply on a sunken track.  At the bottom of the hill the track continues through another attractive beech copse.

    On reaching a minor road, Holloway Lane, I cross and turn right to follow a clear path heading downhill through the trees.

    At a junction of paths on an estate road I continue straight on and then after 150 metres on reaching another junction of paths I turn left.  This path soon starts the long gradual ascent back towards Ibstone.

    The path leads to a tarmac lane which I continue to follow to return into the village besides the common and cricket pitch.

    From here I cross the road and follow the farm drive back into Cholsey Grange.  My wander about has covered just over eleven miles and has taken me through some cracking woodland.

    You can view this 11.25 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 171 – Chiltern Hills West

    8th August 2021

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2021)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • Bottom Wood from Ibstone

    Bottom Wood from Ibstone

    Most of my walking from Cholsey Grange CL has been to the west of the M40, occasionally I have wandered to the other side of the motorway but I have not really explored that area in detail.  So my walk today will take me into new territory.

    I set off leaving Cholsey Grange by the farm track heading downhill to the footpath leading into Penley Wood.

    In the woods I turn left and follow the footpath along the bottom of the valley for 200 metres and then at a junction of paths turn right to head uphill on a steep path.  This is the sort of hill that makes the calf muscles burn and lungs hurt, but I am determined to reach the top without stopping.  The path meets a kissing gate leading into a field.

    The route goes directly across the field to the far side and then turns right along the hedge line before going through a gate.  The way-markers then direct me to a fenced path leading to steps up to a minor road where I turn left and cross the M40.  On the far side of the motorway I turn right down a tarmac driveway and after 100 metres turn left onto a way-marked footpath into East Wood.

    The footpath through these woods is well marked as it initially heads to the east and then turns towards the north.

    At a junction of rides the path goes to the right and heads east towards the edge of the woodland.  At a fork in the path I go to the left and stay close to the edge of the woods to reach the A40 which I cross with care and join a footpath on the far side which heads downhill towards a copse.

    The path through the trees leads to a minor lane where I turn left and walk for 300 metres to reach a junction with a track.  Here I turn right towards Ashridge Farm.

    At a junction of tracks close to Ashridge Farm I turn right to take the track leading towards Bottom Wood.

    The track leads to a gate into the woods.  Now I turn left and follow a broad track through this attractive area of woodland.  An information board explains the 36 acre Bottom Wood is owned by the Chiltern Society and was given to the charity in 1984 by nearby resident Cynthia Ercolani.  Later research suggest that Cynthia was the wife of Lucian Ercolani whose family ran the Ercol furniture business based in High Wycombe.

    Staying with the track I go through the bottom of the woods and reach a concrete slab which is covering a well.  Apparently this well is 100 feet deep and was once used to provide water to the nearby hamlets of Beacon’s Bottom and Radnage Common.

    Apparently during World War II much of the woodland was felled to provide wood for Bryant and May to produce matches.  So the majority of the trees here were planted after 1940.

    The route through the bottom of these woods is an old packhorse trail which linked Piddington to Beacon’s Bottom.  After leaving the trees the route continues along a track to reach Ham Farm.

    After passing the farm I reach the A40 and cross to join a minor road opposite which is besides the Dashwood Roadhouse pub.

    After 50 metres I leave the road and turn right onto a farm track heading towards Hillingdon Farm.

    After passing the farm I continue to reach a crossing of paths, here I continue straight on through a belt of trees towards Barn Wood.

    After 300 metres I reach the edge of Barn Wood at a junction of paths, here I continue straight on through the woodland following a path towards Leygrove’s Wood.

    On entering Leygrove’s Wood I carry straight on now on a broad track.

    On leaving the woods I go through a small clearing and then enter the edge of Pound Wood.

    I stay with the track into Pound Wood and then fork left onto a footpath that heads steadily uphill to reach a tunnel under the M40.

    On the far side of the tunnel I follow the track up to the B482 and turn right to join a pavement and pass a school.  I now cross the road and then a village green and follow the lane into Cadmore End. After passing the church I turn right on a footpath along a track heading out of the village.  

    At a junction of paths I turn left to stay on the track as it heads downhill to reach the edge of Hanger Wood.  Just as I enter the trees the path divides, I take the right fork.

    About two hundred metres further on I take a footpath on the right which heads through the trees before descending to reach a field of pasture.

    The path heads along the edge of the field steeply downhill to a minor road, Chequers Lane, where I turn right and then very soon after turn left along a track with footpath way-markers.  I now follow this track through the bottom of the valley towards Twigside Bottom.

    After a mile and a half on this path I reach a junction of paths at a clearing and turn left to head uphill towards Cholsey Grange.

    This path brings me to the metal gate at the south side of the caravan site.  This has been a very interesting 10.5 mile walk in some cracking bits of woodland.  I will have to do another walk to Bottom Wood with Lynnie when she joins me next week.

    You can view this 10.5 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 171 – Chiltern Hills West

    7th August 2021

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2021)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • Another Stay At Cholsey Grange

    Another Stay At Cholsey Grange

    When we sit down to plan our caravan travel for a year we like to ensure we visit some new sites and explore different areas.  However, there are two sites that always feature in our travel plans: Brigholme Farm in Giggleswick and Cholsey Grange.  It is August so that means it is time for our annual trip to Cholsey Grange CL.

    As usual we are here for a couple of weeks, but I am on my own for the first week and then Lynnie is joining me for the second, so on arrival I set up solo and then wander out for a few miles.

    Today I am heading off with no set route planned.  I like walking in this way, when I reach a junction of paths I make a choice .  I often just choose a path because I have never walked it.  But over the years I have walked most of the paths around this part of the Chilterns.

    I leave through the gate at the far end of the caravan site.  Joining the footpath I turn left and walk downhill into the bottom of the valley and then turn right to walk through Twigside Bottom.  

    I follow the footpath through the bottom of the valley which is clearly marked with white arrows on trees.

    Then just before reaching a road at Gravesend I turn right on a footpath to head uphill.  Within fifty yards at a fork in the path I go left to follow the path through the bottom of Mill Hanging Wood.  At a junction of paths I continue straight on to reach a minor road.

    After crossing the road I follow a footpath which leads to a kissing gate onto the downland of Turville Hill. 

    Soon to my right I can see Cobstone Mill, built around 1816 the mill was used for grinding cereal until 1873.  It then fell into disrepair before being cosmetically restored in 1967 for the filming of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  Apparently in 1971 the actress Hayley Mills and her husband Ray Boulting purchased it and restored it.  The mill is a popular venue for filming and has featured in a number of films and TV programmes.

    The path across the downs leads to a kissing gate which I go through and then immediately turn left through a metal gate and walk into Turville where I turn right and follow the road out of the village.    I soon reach a belt of beech trees on the right and follow a well-used footpath to pass Turville Valley Farm and then cross a minor road.  When I reach a fork in the path I go left.

    The footpath now ascends besides Holloway Lane and then as it starts to level out the route continues along a minor road to reach Northend where I turn right on a track close to the village pond.

    This track leads to a gate into Wormsely Park.  This estate was acquired by Paul Getty in 1985 and has remained in his family ever since.   

    From this track there are fine views over parts of the estate,  in 1992 Paul Getty constructed a cricket ground on the estate which has attracted celebrity matches and has been used by overseas touring teams.  In 2013 it hosted a women’s test match between England and Australia.

    The track soon leads downhill to an estate road which I cross and continue along a track.

    At a crossing of tracks I ignore the option of turning right to return to Ibstone on the Chiltern Way, instead I keep with the track to reach a junction of paths near a clearing and turn right heading uphill.

    This is a long steady ascent through woodland but eventually the path levels out and reaches a gate which I go through and turn right to reach Ibstone Common.  I now cross the common, passing the large standing stone which was erected to mark the Millennium year in 2000.

    I continue across the common and then the village cricket pitch to reach the entrance driveway to Cholsey Grange.

    You can view this 8 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 171 – Chiltern Hills West

    6th August 2021

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2021)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • Fawley and Stonor Park

    Fawley and Stonor Park

    Last year whilst staying at Cholsey Grange CL I did an interesting walk from the site which took me to the deepest well in the Chiltern Hills in the village of Fawley.  When Lynnie saw the pictures she asked if we could do the walk together this year.  So today we are heading off to Fawley, we will vary the route so we can go through Stonor Park, a place I have previously walked  but Lynnie has not visited.

    We leave Cholsey Grange via the entrance drive to Ibstone Common.  We cross the road and join Gray’s Lane and follow this minor road past the Cricket Pavilion and  continuing along the lane besides the common.  Reaching a house on the left we take a footpath that descends steeply into woods  to follow the well-worn track through the trees.

    We ignore footpaths off to the left and stay with the path until it reaches Ibstone Church where we head through the graveyard to the church car park.  

    From the car park we turn right to head downhill on a minor road and then take a footpath on the left along a clear path on the edge of woodland.  We ignore a footpath on the left and then within a few hundred yards take a right and follow the path between a fence line and woods.  The path sweeps to the right still following a fence line to reach a kissing gate

    Through the gate the clear path heads steadily downhill through trees and bushes to reach a gate on the edge of Access Land. We turn to the right and walk a short distance to another gate leading to a clear path across a field towards Turville.

    On reaching the road in the village we turn left and pass the village church to turn right on a lane between cottages.  This lane soon becomes a track and we ignore a path on the left and then one on the right before taking a way-marked footpath on the left cutting diagonally across a field.

    On reaching a tarmac lane, Dolesden Lane, we turn right and walk along it for a few hundred yards and then as it sweeps to the right continue straight on to follow a broad track through the base of Poynatts Wood.

    The footpath continues on through Kimble Wood and on reaching a crossing of paths we turn left and head uphill to cross a field to reach a minor road.

    We carry straight on to follow a country lane signposted to Fawley and Henley.  As we near Fawley we pass the site of the now permanently closed Walnut Tree Inn.  The pub was opened in the early 1960’s by the local brewing company Brakspears but closed in 2003 and now stands in a poor state of repair.  The local villagers have fought a long campaign to get the pub re-opened; sadly it still looks like there is a long way to go.

    We stay on the lane to reach Fawley Green where there are some convenient benches to stop for lunch.  At the east side of the green is the Victorian village well, it is said to be one of the deepest wells in the Chilterns.  I have read from two separate sources that this well is either 397 feet or 338 feet deep.  Quite deep, having lived close to Salisbury Cathedral for most of my life I judge height and depth against the Cathedral Spire, which as I was taught in school is 404 feet tall.

    From the well we go to the west side of the Green and continue on the lane through the village, soon passing the village hall.  A bit further along we come to St Mary’s Church with its attractive flint exterior.  Apparently parts of the church date back to the 12th century, but the tower was added in the 16th century and chancel rebuilt in 1748.  Further restoration work was carried out in the early 1880’s.

    In the churchyard are two large mausoleums.  One apparently dates from 1750 and was constructed as a family tomb by James Freeman of Fawley Court.

    The second is housed behind an iron fence and was apparently built out of Aberdeen granite in 1862 by the Mackenzies also of Fawley Court.

    From the churchyard we turn right leaving the village on Dobson’s Lane, at a footpath sign on the right we turn into a farm driveway and take a path heading by some life size models of cows. 

    Entering a field the path goes diagonally to a stile, I point out to Lynnie that in the fence line there is an Ordnance Survey trig point.  I have previously “bagged” it and Lynnie is content to claim a “bag” from a couple of hundred yards away.

    From the stile we head steadily downhill across a field and into woodland.  The path descends through the trees and continues on to reach a minor road.  We head downhill into Fawley Bottom and turn right and then at a fork in the road by an attractive cottage go left.

    This road leads through woodland before heading steadily uphill to pass the entrance to Coxlease Farm and then as the road sweeps to the right we take a bridleway on the left heading towards Stonor.  At a junction of paths we continue straight on into Almshill Wood and follow the path as it descends steadily through the trees.

    On meeting a road we turn right and follow it through the village to reach the entrance to Stonor Park.  Here we go through the tall kissing gates on the right and enter the deer park.  The ascending path is now following the route of the Shakespeare’s Way.

    Soon there is a fine view of Stonor House, according to the website for the estate this house and surrounding parkland has been in the Stonor family for over 850 years. Apparently the house was built on the site of the remains of a prehistoric stone circle.  Beside the house is a 12th century chapel, which is said to incorporate one of the stones from this circle.

    The path now enters trees again as it goes through Kildridge Wood towards Southend.  On reaching a minor road we turn left and then by Southend Common take a lane on the right towards Southend Farm.  Continuing along the track we pass through paddocks and then a gate to follow the track into woodland emerging on the far side to get a good view of Cobstone Mill in the distance.  Since our visit last year it appears to have lost it’s sails apparently they were lost in a storm in February during storm Ciara.

    After crossing a minor road we continue along the Chiltern Way to reach Turville.  In the village we take a footpath opposite the green to reach a gate, we go through and turn right immediately to go through a kissing gate and follow a path across a field below Cobstone Mill. 

    After going through another kissing gate we join a path going through trees to reach a minor road which we cross and continue to a junction of paths.  Here we keep heading north on an attractive path through the edge of Mill Hanging Wood.

    At a junction of paths we turn right and head downhill to reach a path in the bottom of the valley.  Here we turn left and stay on this track, ignoring paths to the left and right until we reach a clearing in Twigside Bottom.  Here we turn left and follow the footpath back uphill towards Cholsey Grange. 

    This has been a cracking fourteen and a half mile walk.  Although I have walked all the paths before it is the first time I have done this route and for much of the way it was new ground for Lynnie.

    You can view this 14.5 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 171 – Chiltern Hills West

    20th August 2020

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2020)

    All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it.  To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
    Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk.  It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.

  • Walking to Frieth and Skirmett

    Walking to Frieth and Skirmett

    We have nearly reached the end of our stay at Cholsey Grange CL, we head home tomorrow.  So today is our last chance to have a wander in the Chiltern Hills and we have decided to walk from the site and head across to Frieth and then follow paths to Skirmett before heading back to the site via Turville.

    We leave through the gate at the far end of the caravan site.  Joining the footpath we turn left and walk downhill into the bottom of the valley and then turn right to walk through Twigside Bottom.  

    We follow the footpath through the bottom of the valley then just before reaching a road at Gravesend we turn right on a footpath to head uphill.  Within fifty yards at a fork in the path we go left to follow the path through the bottom of Mill Hanging Wood.  At a junction of paths we go downhill on a path leading into Fingest.  On reaching the road we carry straight on to pass the church and the Chequers Inn.

    After a couple of hundred yards, just as we leave the village, we take a footpath on the right with a finger post for the Chiltern Way.  This path goes through a field and then starts to climb gradually besides Goddard’s Wood.  At the top of the hill we enter Fingest Wood and stop briefly to admire the view behind us.

    We follow the clear path, ignoring a sign on the right for the Chiltern Way and emerge from the wood to join a track that becomes a road into Little Frieth.  At a junction we continue straight ahead towards Frieth and at the next T-junction turn left and walk into the village to pass the attractive Village Hall.

    A bit further along the road we reach the church of St John the Evangelist which was built in 1848, we pause to take a look around.  It reportedly has fine stained glass windows but unfortunately it is locked so we are unable to judge for ourselves.

    Resuming our walk we take a footpath running along the east side of the churchyard and are soon besides fields.  At a junction of paths we turn right and follow the hedge line of a field towards barns.  As we near a road we turn left on a footpath that goes besides the barns and then continues on alongside the road to reach the entrance to Parmoor Cricket Pitch.  A few yards further on we take a lane on the right which runs besides St Katharine’s Parmoor, the house is now a religious retreat.

    The estate was once owned by the Knights Templar. In the 16th century it was the home of the Saunders family and in 1603 Mary Saunders and her husband Timothy Doyle extended the property. In 1860 Henry William Cripps QC purchased the property, which later passed to his son Charles Alfred Cripps QC who in 1914 became Lord Parmoor of Frieth.  His youngest son was Stafford Cripps the post war Chancellor of the Exchequer.

    When Lord Parmoor died in 1941 the house was let to King Zog of Albania, he had been forced into exile when Mussolini invaded his Country. In 1946 King Zog left for Egypt and the house lay empty for a while before the second Lord Parmoor sold it to the Community of St Katharine of Alexandria who had been bombed out of their home in Fulham.  In 1995 the last remaining member of the Community, Mother Christine, gave the house to Lady Ryder, of The Sue Ryder Foundation fame, it has remained a separate charity providing a spiritual retreat.

    The lane we are on passes the grounds of the house and then starts to head downhill on a sunken track through Hatchet Wood.

    This is a long steady descent with the occasional glimpse of the view down the valley.

    The track leads us to a minor road where we turn left and walk down to the village of Skirmett.  Now we turn right and wander through the village passing the Frog Pub and continuing on to reach a lane on the left, Watery Lane.  We follow this lane to reach a minor road and turn left to walk into Turville where we pass the The Bull & Butcher pub.

    We continue through the village and then take a footpath on the right opposite an attractive old barn, which is currently having work done to it.  This path leads between properties to reach a field.

    Following the clear path across the field we reach a set of kissing gates to enter access land and walk a few yards uphill to another gate on the left.  This leads into woodland with a clear path which heads steadily uphill to a kissing gate.  There are fine views along the valley from here.

    We follow the uphill path along the fence line and then along the edge of woodland.  We ignore a path on the right leading into the trees, instead staying with the fence to the end of the field where we turn right uphill and after twenty yards take a footpath on the left. After about a hundred yards we take a footpath on the right which heads uphill through Park Wood to reach a minor road close to Ibstone House.  Here we turn left and follow the road through Ibstone,  At the point where the road narrows we take a footpath on the right and follow this down to the gate on the edge of the caravan park.

    Our walk has covered just over nine miles and it is now time to start packing up so we can head home in the morning.  Hopefully it won’t be too long before we are away in the caravan again. 

    You can view this 9 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here (Subscription to OS Maps Required)

    To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 171 – Chiltern Hills West

    20th August 2020

    © Two Dogs and an Awning (2020)