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.