Seatown to Golden Cap - South West Coastal Path

Due to the persistent rain over the last day or so the plans for this walk have changed considerably. Instead of starting at Seatown we have opted to start from the National Trust Car Park at Langdon Hill. 

By the time I had figured out the complexities of the pay and display machine the rain had started up. From the Car Park Golden Cap is clearly signposted. We follow the main path around the side of the hill. 

The clearings on the left as you follow the track around give magnificent views over Chideock and the surrounding West Dorset countryside. At least it would if only the frustrating mist would lift.  

 

The small coastal hamlet of Seatown lies where the River Winniford meets the coast and Thorncombe Beacon is barely visible on the cliffs beyond sadly. 

It is still a steepish walk to get to the summit of Golden Cap. Golden Cap is a hill and cliff situated on the English Channel coast between Bridport and Charmouth in Dorset, England. At 191 metres, it is arguably the highest point on the south coast of Great Britain and is visible for tens of miles along the coastline. Owned by the National Trust and forms part of the Jurassic Cast a World Heritage site. 

The name derives from the distinctive outcropping of golden greensand rock at the top of the cliff. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We arrive at the concrete column of the Trig Point at the top of Golden Cap.

Looking in the other direction to the West you can see Charmouth and a bit further Lyme Regis. The sun is trying it's hardest to break through but the mist is just about winning the battle.

The trees all show signs of a windswept existence. Not surprising really given that it is the highest point on the coastal path.

There is also a monument donated by the Members of the National Trust in memory of the Earl of Antrim Randal McDonnell KBE  Chairman of the National Trust from 1965 to 1977.

 

It really is an inspiring place and it is with some reluctance that we have to move on. It is tempting to make the steep descent down the western face towards Stanton St Gabriel and the old Chapel. Instead we go back the way we came but did make a detour between Filcombe Woods and Langdon Woods. An uphill path takes us back to where we parked the car.

I really wanted to take the walk down to Seatown. Mrs A was happy to take the car so I carried on from where we started to where the path forks. 

Again there are great views looking up to Golden Cap. Most people however seemed to be coming upwards rather than downwards....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's a funny thing that as soon as we leave Golden Cap the sun comes out! In fact it has got rather warm, so warm that I have discarded not one but two layers of clothing. That soon becomes three as the waterproof coat is folded up into the rucksack. 

The path becomes much trickier though and starts to resemble a ski slope. People are falling down all over the place. I heard one angry parent shouting at his child to find some dry grass! Good luck with that one then..Somehow I did manage to stay on my feet and avoid embarrassment. 

It was with some relief that I reached Seatown and was reunited with my other half. There were plenty of  other visitors too, many of them struggling to manouvre through the churned up car park. I have to say I had worked up a sweat and a thirst so first port of call was The Anchor Public House. For the record a pint of 'Tally Ho' from local Dorset Brewers 'Palmers'. A nice strong Dark Ale at 5.5%. that went down well.

Seatown is a lovely coastal hamlet approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) west-southwest of Bridport. Part of the  96 miles (154 km) Jurassic coast. The small River Winniford or Wynreford runs into the sea here. The pebble beach is also good for fossil hunting.   

Nothing for it, then but to enjoy a leisurely stroll along the beach in the Winter sun. Hard to believe that this is actually the Christmas season. 

All was simply picture perfect until for some bizarre reason I jumped off a ridge of shingle. I was no match for the incoming surf and got a soaking. A bit of boot mopping out took place and we were on our way again. 

We walked as far as the foothills of Golden Cap and back again. 

The picture left is looking towards Golden Cap. The picture above is looking towards Thorncombe Beacon.

There was mayhem back in the card park with a number of vehicles stuck in the mud. Those that weren't stuck were sliding all over the place... Thankfully we were in a good spot and had the benefit of 4 4 wheel drive.

It has been a brilliant day! The weather eventually was kind and another place on the SW Coastal Path wish list fulfilled.

In total the  walk was around the 5 mile mark. The next leg looks almost as strenuous though as what has gone before. 

Ewelme Walk (Swans Way 12)

Back on familiar ground today for what is planned to be the last segment of The Swans Way Walk. The walk has been a little disjointed as we have missed out parts already covered on The Ridgeway. 

I'm taking no chances today, back in the safety of four layers. The predicted snow and sleet hasn't arrived thankfully. It's a bit fresh but at least it is dry! If it stays like that I won't be complaining.  

The first part of the walk is on The Swans Way. It is very open countryside and few buildings. 

We get our first sight of the Red Kites which are numerous here.The high pitched cries will follow us for the entirety of the walk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I remember walking the perimeter fence of a large car scrapyard last time. There were cars stacked high all over the place. In particular there were lots of Ford Capri's and Ford Probes. They seem to have had a a bit of  a clear up! Not too many were visible, perhaps there has been a rise in scrap value and they have sold them on?  

A bit of a disappointment really as the old cars were quite interesting. I wasn't going to get any closer though as some rather over zealous guard dogs had shown a little too much interest in us.

Talking of old wrecks our path takes us  on to the Chiltern Way and Oakley Woods. The woods are littered with old farm machinery left to rot amongst the trees. The highlight was the old Blue Fordson Major Tractor. After 1964, the Fordson name was dropped and all Ford tractors were simply badged as Fords in both the UK and the US.

We pass the Blenheim Riding Centre as we make our way to where the Swans Way/Chiltern Way meets up with The Ridgeway. This is the furthest point on the walk today. 

We are met with the sound of gunfire and a pheasant shoot is taking place close by. We are close enough to see a flurry of feathers and the odd Pheasant and Pigeon hitting the deck. I notice a couple of Red Kites keeping a watching brief. No doubt hoping that they won't be collected and will be on their own meal table tonight. 

We backtrack up the lane to the main road and cross over. The route is sort of a 'figure of eight' shape. This part being the larger of the two 'circles'. We actually passed the car and took the opportunity to offload the rucksacks. 

We are now on the smaller, but top part of the figure of eight. In the distance I notice an interesting column! It is in the garden of Britwell House, built in 1727–28 for Sir Edward Simeon.

In front of the house to the southeast is a freestanding neoclassical column, with a large stone urn as a finial. It was built for Sir Edward Simeon in 1764 as a monument to his parents. To the  north of the house, is a limestone obelisk with a pineapple finial. It too was erected for Sir Edward Simeon in the middle of the 18th century. Now that would have been something to see! With a further sense of disappointment we continue on our way. 

We are probably seeing some of the best views of the walk looking towards Britwell Salome and Swyncombe Downs.

It is quite steep in places, and the poor old knees are feeling it particularly on the descent.

Darkness is also starting to descend but we are nearing the end of today's trek. In truth there hasn't been that many points of interest this time. That said it has still been a really good walk and a total distance of 11 miles. 

Another long distance footpath completed!

The Shakespeare's Avon Way - Leamington Spa & Warwick (10)

Seduced by the blue skies and watery sunshine, I abandoned my usual four layer insulation for just the three. There will be a lot of water on today's walk. Thankfully none forecast to come from the skies though.

Starting from Leamington Spa we pick up the Centenary Way. path. We pass Welches Meadows Nature Reserve on the south bank of the River Leam. We follow the river into the heart of Leamington Spa. We arrive in Jephson Gardens, a beautiful formal Victorian park. The gardens, were once a place for the wealthy to 'take the air' and 'be seen'. Talking of being seen, a strange gentleman was walking without shoes and on his toes... If you can imagine that.He stopped to ask me if I was Norwegian or even a Viking? I never thought to ask him why he was walking the way he was.. He tottered off in his invisible high heels muttering something about studying quantum mechanisms. Now it all makes sense!

Are you Norwegian?

 

The historic Royal Pump Rooms are famous Spa Baths opened in the late-18th and mid-19th centuries. People would travel from throughout the country, and indeed Europe, to benefit from treatments using the town's healing waters.

By the mid-19th century 'taking the waters' became less fashionable. The decision was made in 1860 to close the Pump Rooms with a view to demolishing them. A group of local investors clubbed together and bought the building in October 1861. A Turkish Baths and Swimming Pool were added and re-opened in 1863. 

Today the building is home to an Art Gallery and Museum. 

 

 

 

 

We pick up the Grand Union Canal and follow the towpath into Warwick. A figure of eight circuit around Leamington Spa, we have just passed over the River Avon where it joins the canal.

Leaving the water behind for now the walk takes us around the back of Warwick Racecourse and the 9 hole Golf Course. The racecourse is not the best for watching the races. Apart from in front of the Grandstand the horses disapear from view for about 5 minutes until they appear once again.

Former Champion Jump Jockey John Francome once joked that he was able to 'light up a fag' around the first bend. The footpath isn't particularly well marked, thankfully no horses to negotiate today though.  

The Lord Leycester Hospital

The Lord Leycester Hospital sits at the top of the list of the most important and intact medieval buildings in England.It is a Grade I listed building dating back 900 years. The hospital started out as The Chapel of St James and dates back to 1126. Today the Hospital is run by the Master, a retired officer of the Armed Forces. Eight ex-servicemen and their wives are provided with flats in return for their past services: they act as guides for visitors.

 

Warwick Castle

In the centre of Warwick we get a glimpse of one of the Towers from the Castle. Warwick Castle is situated on a bend in the River Avon. The river, which runs below the castle on the east side, has eroded the rock the castle stands on, forming a cliff. The river and cliff form natural defences.

When construction began in 1068, four houses belonging to the Abbott of Coventry were demolished to make space. Suffice to say there is a lot of history thereafter that I can't possibly do justice to in this blog! Plenty of further reading to be had for those who so wish.

A stretch along the River Avon and then we are back on the Grand Union Canal again heading back towards our starting point. It has noticeably turned a bit colder too, particularly when the sun disappears. Don't forget I've gone into this walk a layer light as well! We pass an area on our right called 'Jephson's Farm'. A lot of Pigeons have taken up residence in the steel girders underneath many of the bridges. There is the usual canal graffiti although some is better than others.Some can only described as amazing artwork.   

 

 

 

We arrive back at the start having clocked up 11.5 miles in total. A very different type of walk today in a figure of 8 shape. Lots of history on show today in both Warwick and Leamington.Great fun as always and another leg of The Shakespeares Avon Way ticked off!