North Marston - Swans Way (7)

 

Back on the Swans Way today and the circular route starting at North Marston looks as though it has some points of interest to explore. 

We had literally only just parked up and begun walking in a clockwise direction when we stumbled upon something really amazing and interesting.Well I think so anyway.

It came in the form of 'The Schorne Well'.  Sir St John Scorne was rector of the parish of North Marston in 1920. At least he was often  referred to as a saint who, it is claimed, performed many miracles. These included finding cures for gout and toothache. It was during a drought that he discovered a well whose waters were said to have miraculous properties. 

Being a deeply religious man  he is believed to have cast the Devil into a boot! He is often pictured holding a boot with a Devil in it. Although referred to as a Saint he was never canonised. This didn't stop his shrine in the local church becoming a place of pilgrimage following his death. 

The Schorne Well

John Schorne

There is a little slot for donating coins next to the boot. I was really hoping that when I dropped some coins down that the Devil would rise out of the boot. Although there is a Devil inside, it didn't rise without me pulling it up by the horns. The whole concept was thought to be the origin of the children's  toy 'Jack in the Box'.

The pump on the right side did dispel water into the square trough though. 

It's a great start to the walk and it won't get any better than this surely?

We carry on towards Pitchcott Hill and are soon in beautiful unspoiled countryside. We are on a public right of way 'Matthews Way', a circular walk of 10km between North Marston and Quainton. Dedicated to 'Matthew Lane' of North Marston who died on 25th October 1996 in the John Radcliffe Hospital during corrective heart surgery. He was just 11and a half months old ........  

 

It is cloudy and a little murky but quite mild, as always I seem to be wearing one layer too many. At least you can always took a layer off. It really can get quite warm when walking and I probably don't take on as much fluid as I should either.  

The railway bridge at Waddesdon and site of the the former Waddesdon Station marks our furthest point. 

The line is still used for a daily freight train carrying waste from London to Calvert, as well as special services between Aylesbury and Quainton Road for events at The Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. Sadly no signs of any steam trains today although we did hear one in the distance.  

 

We find the point from which the next leg of the journey will start and make our way back over the bridge and continue the circular route that will eventually takes us back to North Marston.

We are back on The Swans Way and there is even a signpost to indicate the fact ! 

Nestled in the hills to our back I can just about make out Waddesdon Manor in the gloom. The next leg of the walk will take us much closer though. But for now we have Alpacas and a windmill to keep us busy! 

We do have to take a slight detour to get a glimpse of 'Buckinghamshire's tallest working windmill'. Feels as though I should be saying that in an Alan Partridge style voice. 

Built in 1830-1832 it was derelict for most of the 20th century but now fully restored and grinding wheat into flour. 

It is an example of a tall six-story windmill and is the third tallest windmill in England. It was altered to be operated by an auxiliary steam engine which unusually was placed within the structure of the mill.

Getting back on track again we have a hill to climb ! 

Its a long and steady climb up to Quainton Hill. It's well worth the effort though with fantastic panoramic views from the top of the Chilterns, Cotswolds and over North Buckinghamshire (even the new Snow Dome at Milton Keynes on a fine day).

The path takes us directly up the hill to the telecommunications mast; as long as you walk uphill towards the mast you are going in the right direction.Even on a cloudy day like today the views are fantastic.

 

Once off the hills it is a matter of deciding to complete the last part of the walk on road or by field? As we missed the footpath we decided to carry on by road back to North Marston. Marston being a common English village name meaning 'Farm by a Marsh'. We pass the village pub and I'm pleased to see that it it has an appropriate name ' The Pilgrim' in honour of the Schorne Well.The village also has it's own little pond to keep the wildlife happy!

Its been a superb walk and comes in a fraction over 10 miles. 

Duck pond at North Marston