Heart of England Way(4) Blockley to Chipping Campden Via Broad Campden

After some deliberation we started today's walk from the small village of Broad Campden in The Cotswolds. It will be a curious elongated figure of eight walk to Blockley and then back up to Chipping Campden via Broad Campden again. There is a nice pub nearby too ,although every single Cotswold Pub looks extremely inviting to my eyes. 

Walking down the road we immediately have a choice to make. Do we take the 'Monarch's Way' and come back on the 'Heart of England Way? Or do we do it the other way round? Seems only fair to make use of the 'Heart of England Way' while the sun is shining. 

We do seem to be blessed with great with great weather whenever we are in The Cotswolds. Long may it last! I think we will be fine for today at least.

 

It's  a bit of a climb leaving the village but the views looking back are superb. This area is well noted for the number of walking paths offered up. We are heading in the direction of Five Mile Drive. There are a huge number of Pheasants meandering around. There are six different types of Pheasant I understand in the UK. They make excellent pets too, if you fancy something a bit different. They are social creatures, so it’s best to get more than one at a time. These better be careful as the shooting season started on the 1st October.

The next part of the walk takes us through the equally as picturesque 'Cricket Clump' as we near Blockley. No sign of any 'leather on willow' taking place today.

Blockley is home to 'Watsonian Squire 'the largest UK manufacturer of sidecars and trailers for motorbikes. We didn't see any of those either sadly. We did find two fellow walkers in search of alcoholic refreshment though. Thy were even more pleased to find that the village has two pubs! 

We did a circuit around the village and saw this plaque on the wall of a house. It looks fairly new although the bus crash happened in 1924. I've since tried to do a little research but haven't been able to find out any more detail. 

We also passed the Old Mill (Snugborough Mill) with it's beautiful garden and mill pond. I believe the ground level at least is now an Air B & B.  

The Autumn colours are nearing the finest at the moment.The trees are hanging on to their leaves pretty well too Probably aided by the dry Summer? The next part of the walk talks in a beautiful path through the tree lined 'Norcombe Wood'. As well as the ample supply of Pheasants we spot a very young Muntjac Deer and two Hares. Although conceivably  it could have just been the one Hare who doubled back on himself.

It's a bit of a climb up Northwick Hill, passing the old disused quarry. This area was formerly under the authority of the Bishop of Worcester. It was therefore actually an enclave of Worcester surrounded by the county of Gloucestershire. It is shown that way on all maps prior to 1931, when such enclaves were abolished. 

The gate pictured below looks as though it might take some effort to shut though.... 

 

We pick up the Monarch's Way which takes us back to Broad Campden and our starting position. We pass the Church of St Michael and All Angels,  built in 1867-8 to the memory of Charles Noel, first Earl of Gainsborough, who died June 10, 1866. The church is a Grade II Listed building.We are about to do the second or top loop of the figure of eight route. We are heading towards Chipping Campden via the Diamond Way.  In the distance we start to see Chipping Campden and the distinctive St James Church. As well as a pair of very nice and friendly horses.

St James is one of the finest wool churches in the country. Much of the current building dates from the 13th and 14th centuries.There is also a Gatehouse and two Jacobean Banqueting Houses on the estate formerly of Sir Baptist Hicks. An English cloth merchant and Politician.(1st Viscount Campden).  In 1612 he also provided the 12 Almshouses for pensioners that are still in use today, and are Grade I listed. It is a very historic town. In 1970 the High Street and much of the town centre was designated a conservation area to preserve the architecture. 

One of the oldest buildings in the town is the Grade I listed Market Hall, built in 1627 again built by Sir Baptist Hicks.

 Chipping Campden has hosted its own Olympic Games since 1612. Finally.. Chipping Campden is the official start/end point of the Cotswold Way Long Distance Path.

Having navigated our way out of the narrow lanes of the town, we are on the last part of the walk. I lied this bird feeder very much. Seems to have been modelled on Grade I listed Market Hall, built in 1627 by our old friend Sir Baptist Hicks.

Lovely late afternoon sun now, a gorgeous light you often find in The Cotswolds. We are now on 'The Wold Furlong' path that will take us back to Broad Campden. 

We pass by the side of the Church of St Michael and All Angels that we saw earlier. I hadn't really noticed the lovely village green with it's raised bench. A great place to sit and enjoy the peace and relaxation. 

Just time to call in at 'The Bakers Arms'  and enjoy a pint of North Cotswold Brewery 'Shagweaver' 4.5% ABV. Titter Ye not now...The Cotswolds are famous for the sheep and wool industry. 'Shag' is an old English word for a heavy or rough woollen fabric. So Shagweaver literally means 'Wool weaver'.  

Another great walk completed and a total of 11.5 miles covered.