Walking the Ridgeway - Crowmarsh to South Stoke

Trig Point

Our actual starting point today was 'Cart Gap' on The Ridgeway. We would be walking in the direction of Winterbrook, through Mongewell Park ,North Stoke and down to South Stoke. We would then leave the Ridgeway looping back towards our starting point. I would have liked to gave called into 'Crowmarsh Gifford' as it is where Jethro Tull lived. Not the fine musicians,  but the man himself who invesnted most famously the seed drilll


We hadn't progressed very far at all before encountering this 'Trig Point' literally on the path.

I suppose we we were walking due south from Mongewell to North Stoke following a line with the River Thames. At this stage there were no views of the river. We did pass another Golf Course the 'Springs Hotel and Golf Club'. There were a few out braving the morning chill. vocalist In the 70's Ian Gillan of Deep Purple used to live in what became Springs Hotel and actually had a guitar-shaped swimming pool built.

Pond in Mongewell

As always there were plenty of Red Kites circling above to keep us company. We often pondered with such an abundance in this area how is there enough food to go around? They are known to eat earthworms so maybe that is the answer?

North Stoke is a charming little village with a Village Hall, Telephone and Post Box. Some lovely houses and an aura of peace. The Ridgeway takes us through the churchyard of St Marys. It was built in the 1230s and is Grade I listed.

It wasn't long after that we had our first glimpse of the 'Thames' a notable landmark on the walk.

St Marys Church North Stoke

First glimpse of the River Thames

 The river is quite active this Saturday lunchtime with several different rowing teams practising on the water. I understand that this stretch of water is particularly straight and an ideal place for the Oxford College crews to train.

No Smoke on the Water, only rowing crews

An old wartime 'Pill Box' guarding the railway no doubt

Moulsford Railway Bridge is impressive! We pass under just before arriving in South Stoke. known locally as "Four Arches" bridge.

Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and was built between 1838 and 1839. It is constructed from beautiful red brick with Bath stone quoins as four elliptical arches 62 feet (19 m) span and a headway height of 21 feet 8 inches (6.60 m)..Looking up the workmanship is totally amazing. It is a Grade II listed building.

It carries the Great Western Main line from Paddington London to Wales and the West across the Thames. It lies between the stations at Goring and Streatley and Cholsey.

Veering away from the River a our route takes us through South Stoke although The Ridgeway path runs through the village to access its ferry to Moulsford which is seasonal.

You are here

On the Icknield Way

 

 

 We pretty much followed the Icknield Way crossing the Swans Way passing excellent names such as; Cobblers Hill and Drunken Bottom. I really enjoyed this particular walk as it had a bit of everything and for once it stayed dry! In total we clocked up 9.5 miles today.

 

Walking the Ridgeway - Nuffield

Holy Trinity Nuffield

Our starting point for the next leg of The Ridgeway was the small quiet village of Nuffield. We set off literally from The Holy Trinity Church, built in 1189 the final resting place of William Morris (1877-1963).   The man who formed the mass production car factory producing the 'Morris Oxford'.

Our Starting Point

 The walk today was in doubt up to the last minute because of the weather. It had rained all night long and not abated when we set off. The forecast was for a slightly improving picture with the chance of heavy showers.
 The route today would take us in the direction of Wallingford and North Stoke. We wouldn't get that far as we would be doing a circular route of around 8.5 miles. All of the early Ridgway route today took in 'Grim's Ditch (also Grimsdyke, Grimes Dike or Grim's Bank). Little is known about them , as there are several. Built during the Iron Age and Grim is the Saxon word for Devil. The best guess is that they were built to mark out boundaries , but no one is entirely certain.

Shelter in the woodland from the rain

It was lovely following the course of the tree line ditch and we had some cover from the driving rain and biting wind.

I always feel a little sad when it is time to veer away from the Ridgeway . This has been a lovely stretch with fantastic views to be seen on either side of the path . The rain has now abated and we are treated to some welcome sunshine. We will be picking up the Ridgeway path again soon  though as we head back through Ewelme.  

Superb views

This is probably a good point to show a map of the route and where we were so to speak if you are still following.

You are here

 

The darkening skies and sunshine made for some decent photo opportunities as we made our way north . 
Looking back in the distance the sun was shining on the remaining cooling towers at Didcot Power Station .However black clouds were about to engulf the brightness and rain was not far away.
We passed a very highly fortified area with double thickness fencing , barbed wire and security cameras. Probably the Russians that we had been warned to steer well clear of last time we were here. We pondered what might happen if we were to fly a drone over the premises Not a good outcome I suspect.

 We soon passed the spectacular house at Ewelme Park but no sign of our friendly Gardener this time.

Sunshine on the Cooling Towers

Sunshine and dark skies

We could see the rain coming but it actually arrived in the form of a torrential hail storm. Typically we were right in the middle of a field at the time with no shelter.

After about 10 minutes the rain /hail subsided and we were able to continue.

Making our way back towards Nuffield we passed the now derelict Crown Public House. We then had to cross Hunterscombe Golf Course. Literally crossing the Fairways which were not in the best condition.


All together a really enjoyable and interesting walk despite the weather! A few random other photos.