Long Walk 6th June led by Jenny & David Brown
Remote Chiltern Villages – Stokenchurch to Fingest circular 10 miles
In a walking guide book, this area is described as a ‘remote and tranquil landscape, more reminiscent of the northern dales than the Chilterns’. As a bonus, the walk also visits three attractive small villages Ibstone, Turville and Fingest. Turville of course being famous as the film set for the Vicar of Dibley’ TV series starring Dawn French.
On a bright and sunny morning, our group of 8 began the walk at Stokenchurch and after walking under the M40 motorway shortly reached wood and field paths taking us away from the drone of the motorway traffic. We had far reaching rural views across the Wormsley estate, owned by the Paul Getty family. The wooded path then led down into the valley before making a steep ascent to Ibstone common.
After walking along the edge of the common we walked past Hellcorner farm. Local legend has it that an attempt was made to build a church on a new site in Grays Lane, but the Devil objected to a church being built on his property so that the rising structure repeatedly fell giving that particular spot its present name of Hell Corner. Also, interestingly, Hellcorner farm was once the Chiltern Home of former Labour Party minister Barbara Castle.
The route then took us deep down a bridle path to the valley bottom in Turville wood where we began our steep uphill climb towards Turville Court, pausing briefly on the way for a coffee break. After passing Turville Court, unfortunately one of our group tripped and thankfully was only slightly hurt and able to continue down to Turville. From Turville it was only a further mile to Fingest and The Chequers pub for a relaxing lunch in the sunny garden.
After lunch there was an easy walk up a bridle path through the quiet, sheltered valley to Stokenchurch.
Strollers 11th June – led by Delia Shaw
It was a beautiful morning, a perfect morning for a walk, warm, sunny and with a breeze when we met just before 10.30 am at the Black Horse at Mobwell, in Great Missenden. Fifteen of us set off on a circular walk across fields, up slopes, down through the woods, back into the High Street and round past Missenden Abbey. We passed lovely old cottages in the town, which contrasted well with the grandeur of the Abbey. We made our way across a recreation ground, then crossing the road to the fields which led us back to the Black Horse, where everyone said that they had enjoyed the walk.
Medium Walk 15th June led by Peter West
With a fine day in prospect, eight walkers met at the village hall carpark in Haddenham before setting out on an eight mile walk. Heading north, we crossed fields and the A418 road to progress through pleasant countryside and well kept allotments until we came to Cuddington. The route had not been walked beforehand, so there was a delay until the correct path out of Cuddington was found. We then followed a narrow metalled road through fields with fine views over the Thame valley until we reached Nether Winchenden noting there some of the beautiful old houses in the village. There was another delay until we found the start of the Thame Valley Walk. The vegetation at this time of year was at its maximum growth and high enough to obscure the meagre signposting that existed. Eventually, we found the correct route and commenced the long leg that would take us to Bridge Lodge. On this leg, there was no clearly defined footpath and the long grass made for difficult walking. Furthermore, a stile we had to cross was buried in the high vegetation and was very difficult to locate. We eventually arrived at Bridge Lodge and crossed over the River Thame by means of the old stone bridge with impressive views of the river.
Crossing fields as we approached Starveall Farm, a drama enfolded. We found out later that a bee-keeper had just extracted the honey from numerous hives nearby and clearly the bees were not impressed. One of our group who happened to be in front at the time started gyrating wildly with arms flapping in the air much to our bemusement. Soon we were all doing the same thing, and any bystander must have wondered what on earth was going on with people running in all directions with arms flailing. There were consequences, however, the person in front was stung several times and others were also stung and even the dog with us suffered the same fate.
Having settled down, we carried on to cross the A418 again at Dinton Castle. What had been a ruin has been converted into a private dwelling which looked really impressive. Thankfully, it was only a short walk to the Seven Stars pub at Dinton. Here we had a relaxed lunch sitting in their garden in the sunshine eating the good food they offered. We were joined for lunch by our walking group leader who was unable to walk long distances at the time.
We had planned to walk the remaining two miles back to Haddenham but, when it appeared that we had already walked nearly eight miles according to electronic devices held by members, the almost unanimous decision was made to finish the walk there and then. The group leader drove the two car drivers back to Haddenham and they then returned to pick up their passengers. This brought an eventful walk to an end.
Shakespeare Way Leg 3 June 21st
Honington to Long Compton, 9 miles
18 of us met in the car park of the village hall at Long Compton to catch the No 50 bus to Honington. It was cool at first with a brisk breeze but the sun was shining as we all crowded into the small bus shelter. The bus arrived, late as usual and with not many passengers, everyone opted to sit downstairs. However, when the bus stopped to pick up more people the amazement and utter disbelief on their faces was a sight to behold – they had never seen their bus so full of chattering walkers and they soon joined in the conversation making it a very interesting bus journey. All too soon we arrived at our bus stop where we alighted and walked along the village lane into Honington where we had finished on the last leg. By now it was 11am as we set off down the lane at a good pace but soon our path took us across a rapeseed field with very difficult walking making it hard to find the path. After a little time we finally found the right way, now amongst wheat so easy to follow and reached the road at Shipston-upon-Stour. Then it was on across fields to reach the small village of Barchester where we stopped for late elevenses before continuing on to Willington. After a short road stretch we took a path going uphill to Flaxen Hill Covers, easy at first then entering an uncultivated field full of uneven dried mud and weeds – very difficult to walk on and no clear direction. Eventually we found the stile out of this field to follow a downhill path bringing us to a road. Crossing the road and with the church tower of Cherington visible in the distance we followed more field paths, negotiated an overgrown diversion to finally arrive in the village of Cherington and the pub for lunch at 2pm – about 30 minutes behind schedule.
We were made very welcome and our pre-ordered lunches were quickly served – very good food though rather large portions! We set off again at 3pm to climb up and over Margetts hill, just one steep bit though uphill for 1.5 miles – the views were splendid in all directions. Now it was all downhill into Long Compton arriving at the northern edge of the village on the busy A3400. We walked through the village, admiring its many pretty cottages, stopped to buy ice creams at the village shop and arrived back at the village hall at 4.45pm. A very satisfying walk, though the signage and condition of some of the paths was really not very good – but everyone enjoyed the day – lots of sunshine and good company!
Main Walk 28th June 25th – led by Jacqui Kennedy
On what was the hottest day to date, nine of us braved the sunshine for a walk from Hartwell. We started out from the Bugle Horn and headed towards Hartwell House, turning down the footpath on the left just before the main gate which took us past the old Church and cemetery. Coming out on the road, we turned right, passed the Egyptian Well and continued up towards Lower Hartwell Farm where we turned left across fields, then right to Waddon Hill Farm. Here, we continued northwards along a farm track that led us to the Thame Valley Walk, which we followed, passed Burn Hill, and right through to Eythrope Road. There were dozens of bright blue and green Damselflies in the hedgerows, which gradually increased as we progressed.
Turning north we crossed the River Thame and stopped to look at the abundant yellow waterlilies, dozens of tiny fish, and, of course, a huge number of damselflies. We continued up to Bridge Lodge and stopped on the bridge over the weir for a short while. Seven cygnets were paddling around, under the watchful gaze of their parents, and we also caught sight of a couple of herons flying over the lake. We back-tracked a few yards and took the Midshires Way, which led us to Weir Lodge and over a couple of bridges. Keeping on the Midshires Way, we arrived back at Waddon Hill Farm and turned right, coming out at Upper Hartwell; then through a hedge and over a field, we found ourselves back on the road that led passed the Egyptian Well and then the main road.
We were all very relieved to get back to the Bugle Horn and a cold glass of refreshment! The heat had made the walk quite a challenge but a nice meal and lots of cold drinks (almost) made up for it and I think we all enjoyed the walk itself, despite feeling somewhat exhausted at the end! Thank you all for joining me.