Walking Englishman's 1000 Mile Walk

Photograph Gallery Stage 55 Stratford upon Avon to Chipping Campden, Monday 18th July 2011

The Story:

This was a delightful stage of the walk between two very different towns in terms of building architecture; from the wooden framed tudor splendour of Stratford to the striking beige Cotswold stone buildings of Chipping Campden. In between I had a lovely day on excellent marked tracks.

I left Stratford by following the River Avon on riverside tracks and through riverside woodland for two miles to Midcote Manor Farm before turning away to follow the Greenway, a superb straight line wide tracked tree lined avenue for four miles. Half way along the Greenway I stopped for a quick cup of coffee at a railway carriage masquerading as a cafe. After the Greenway I then followed the Monarch’s Way, reputedly used as an escape route by King Charles II in 1651 after being defeated in the Battle of Worcester, through farmland and fieldside lanes to Lower Quinton and then Upper Quinton before skirting the northwest flank of Meon Hill. Yes, a hill! Once the site of a hill fort and standing high above the flat lands at 194m I was climbing again and from the flank of Meon Hill I could see hills ahead, the Cotswolds which I start to cross tomorrow.

From Meon Hill I resumed my affectionate journey on the Heart of England Way to Mickleton, another lovely English village with exquisite thatched cottages and grand houses. I strolled through the village taking in the beauty before making another climb to Baker’s Hill, my final high crossing before making my descent into Chipping Campden. Somewhere along the walk I left Warwickshire and entered Gloucestershire. The journey continues…….

Meandering Mikes Daily Marks:

Scenery: 8/10 – The Avon, countryside, the Greenway, hills again and first sight of the Cotswolds.

History: 5/10 – On the trail of Charles II.

Interest: 4/10 – Architectural wonders.

Track: 9/10 – No meandering today, the tracks were excellently marked.

Comment: Once again a lovely walk and joy that the predicted rain never came.

The Photographs:

My start for the day near the A4390 bridge in Stratford upon Avon

Perfect start

The track along the River Avon from Stratford upon Avon

Thistles and Ladybirds

The beautiful River Avon

I left the riverside temporarily at a weir near Cross-o-th-Hill Farm (the correct spelling)

Swans and Shakespeare point the way ahead

The track by the River Avon was good

Yet another big lad not to be messed with

Colour

I joined the Greenway after Milcote Manor Farm

The Greenway

There were several of these benches indicating distances on the Greenway

Railway carriage cafe on the Greenway

Good use of sleepers on the Greenway

The Greenway between Milcote Road and Long Marston

Intricate signpost on the Greenway at Long Marston

On the Monarch's Way near Long Marston

Thistle pods near Long Marston

Wheat field approaching Lower Quinton

At Upper Quinton I climb for the first time in days to the heady heights of Meon Hill at 194m

Good information to follow on Meon Hill

Coloured in but why?

Fantastic

Across the fields between Meon Hill and Mickleton

Summer friends who have entertained me thoroughly on this walk

Roadside splendour

Thatched cottage in Mickleton

The Heart of England Way has been a pleasure to follow

Dead but dramatic

Snapped and knarled

Farm road off Furze Lane

Field side lane near Mickleton Hills

Last sign to Chipping Campden at Mickleton Hills

Chipping Campden Church

Old and new in Chipping Campden

I go left tomorrow

Typical building in Chipping Campden, a beautiful place

Grotesque figure in Chipping Campden

High Street, Chipping Campden