Two Dogs and an Awning

Tag: Ibstone Common

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Sweltering in the Chiltern Hills

    Sweltering in the Chiltern Hills

    The weather continues to be stiflingly hot in the Chiltern Hills.  I am not a creature who enjoys very hot weather, I like it warm but once it gets near 30 degrees that is too much for me.  I am well past the age for sitting in the sun to get a tan.  I did in my younger days, but now worry too much about the damage I may have caused to my skin so I am rarely seen without a hat, long sleeved shirt and trousers.

    Yesterday I ventured out for a ten mile walk with Crosby.  We headed across to Christmas Common and enjoyed a section in shady woods.  When we left the woods Crosby was very reluctant and unusually for him tried to walk in any available shade.  I ventured out with four litres of water. Two for me and two for Crosby and we consumed it all.  It was a walk we have done before, details of which can be found here.

    Today we were up early and out for a few miles before the sun gave too much heat.  But come late afternoon Crosby is keen to set off again. We head downhill along the track that leads onto the site and follow it around the field to join a footpath and turn right.  After entering Penley Wood I turn left to follow the path along the bottom of the valley.  

    After crossing a stile I turn right and follow the farm track around the edge of the field to reach a stile besides a gate.  This track leads up to stables at Coopers Court Farm and a few yards after the stile I turn left to join the Chiltern Way and follow it as it follows a fenced path and then goes alongside the edge of fields.

    After passing through a belt of trees I go along the edge of a field to reach a fork in the path.  I stay close to the hedge line on a track that leads to the driveway to Studdridge Farm.  I cross the track and go along the edge of a field to reach woodland.  Here I follow the way-markers to reach the Ibstone Road.

    I cross the road and follow a path along a track leading into the Wormsely Estate.  This track heads steadily downhill to an estate road close to Wellground Farm.  I turn left and follow the road through the Estate.  This becomes a track and then when it forks I go left.

    The path heads steadily uphill through the trees of Commonhill Wood.  This is a long steady incline and on a hot afternoon the shade is welcome. 

    I keep with the path as it continues uphill to reach a gate and turn right to reach Ibstone Common.    The recent extreme hot weather has parched the grass on the Common and even though it is past 5pm the heat of the sun after being in the shade is overbearing.  I cross the common to pass the large Millennium stone.

    After crossing the cricket field I head back down the driveway to Cholsey Grange.  I have covered just under five miles which has been quite enough in this heat.

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

    You can view this 5 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here

    10th 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.

  • Mausoleums, a Deep Well and a Trig Point in the Chilterns

    Mausoleums, a Deep Well and a Trig Point in the Chilterns

    After a couple of days of short walks, today I am heading out for a fifteen-mile walk.  Increasingly I find that at least once a week I need to lace up the boots and head out for a good chunk of the day.  Yesterday evening I spotted a trig point in the area that I have yet to bag, it is about seven miles from Ibstone so perfect for combining with a decent walk.
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  • Ibstone to Christmas Common – A Nine Mile Circuit

    Ibstone to Christmas Common – A Nine Mile Circuit

    My walk for today will be a nine mile circuit in the Chiltern Hills starting from Cholsey Grange CL.
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  • Six Miles Around Penley Wood and Commonhill Wood

    Six Miles Around Penley Wood and Commonhill Wood

    As a frequent visitor to Cholsey Grange CL I have done many walks from the site.  However, there is such an extensive network of paths it is always possible to create a new route not previously travelled.
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  • A Seven Mile Jam About in the Chiltern Hills

    A Seven Mile Jam About in the Chiltern Hills

    It is the final day of this brief stay at Cholsey Grange CL, fortunately we do not need to leave until later this afternoon so there is plenty of time for me to go for a walk before getting the awning down and packing up.
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  • A Thirteen Mile Jamabout From Cholsey Grange CL

    A Thirteen Mile Jamabout From Cholsey Grange CL

    Today I am walking from Cholsey Grange CL with Crosby.  Lynnie has gone to stay with our daughter for a few days and taken Dexter with her.  I have plans for a couple of days of long walks and sadly he is not up to more than a few miles these days.  My walk today is a variation on a walk I have done previously, one of the beauties of walking around here is there is an extensive network of footpaths.
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  • A Five Mile Jaunt From Cholsey Grange CL

    A Five Mile Jaunt From Cholsey Grange CL

    I am back at Cholsey Grange CL for a few days whilst Lynnie stays locally with our daughter to make preparations for her wedding in June.  Since our last visit to this cracking CL there have been major changes with the installation of fully serviced hard standing pitches.  These have only recently been completed and we are one of the first visitors to try out the facilities.
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  • A Jamabout in the Chilterns from Cholsey Grange

    A Jamabout in the Chilterns from Cholsey Grange

    Today we are once again walking from the caravan site at Cholsey Grange.  A few weeks ago on our previous stay I did a walk with our daughter, Lolly and plan to do the same circuit but in the opposite direction.

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