Heart of England Way (5) Chipping Campden and Mickleton

A bright and frosty start to the walk today which sees us back at Chipping Campden. We will be following the Heart of England way as far as Mickleton. We then circle our way back to the starting point. We had only gone a few yards when we were stopped by a van asking if we knew where the Cricket Club was located? Unable to help, we wished hm luck and continued on our way. Some thirty yards later we passed the Cricket Club....   We then passed through the meadow that crossed on our last walk down here. We got a different view of the splendid St James Church. Great views they are too under the clear blue skies.There is an archway that acts as an 'Eyecatcher'  which makes for a good photo opportunity. I don't recall seeing that last time? Maybe it's because there are no leaves on the trees at this time of year and things are a little clearer. Passing through the town is not without excitement though!

There was a distinct smell of burning in the air. As we progressed smoke was bellowing from the side of a house.  Next to one of the thatched cottages a 'Wheelie Bin' was on fire... 

We 'wheeled' the blazing Bin out into the street and tried to alert the owners. Unable to raise the occupants we set about pouring our water bottles on the fire. Luckily help was close by, St James Church rooms had a coffee morning in place. Once the shout went out they were quickly on the scene with bowls of washing up water to douse the flames. Tragedy was averted and calmness was quickly returned.Someone had clearly decided it was a good idea to put hot coals from the fire, into a plastic Bin! Our good deed done we set off on the H Of E Way. 

Two miles to the south of Mickleton we pass a sign marking 'The Battle of Mickleton Tunnel in 1851'.The site of the 'last pitched battle between two private armies on UK soil. As i understand it, Brunel was overseeing the mile long construction of a tunnel on the Oxford - Worcester line. The contractors made slow progress and were threatened with the sack. As a last resort they barricaded themselves in the tunnel. Brunel put together an army of his men and a mass brawl involving 3,000 men broke out. Brunel was eventually victorious but resigned before the tunnel was completed. 

We are starting a steady climb now as we head towards Baker's Hill and Woods. The views are excellent with the frost laying heavy where the sun hasn't reached.

It was in the woods that we stumbled upon the 'Belgian Soldier Tree'.

During the First World War wounded Belgian soldiers recovered at Mickleton Hall , as it was being used for a hospital. It is assumed that one of the Soldiers wandered into the woods and carved the outline of a Belgian soldier.It may well have been a self portrait, nobody really knows. It looks like a name an initials were originally carved along with the date.Over time these have become unreadable. Amazingly it has stood the test of time very well, and is clear and looks great. I notice on some nearby trees that some of the locals seem to have engaged in some carving of their own. 

Another Belgian soldier died at the hospital. He was buried in St. Lawrence Church in Mickleton, where his grave can still be seen.

 

We have reached Mickleton, the northernmost village in Gloucestershire. We are eight miles south of Stratford Upon Avon.

 

The church is situated at the foot of the Cotswold escarpment below Kiftsgate and Hidcote. Part of the church dates to the 12th Century and is Grade I  listed.

Church of St Lawrence Mickleton

We leave the H of E Way behind as we loop back towards our start point. I'm quite grateful as there is a large hill looming, that though will have to wait until our next venture to these parts. Additionally my knee is struggling again, particularly descending hills. We are not out of the woods completely however, a few steep slopes to negotiate here too. There is also a beautiful valley as we climb towards Hidcote Manor. one of the best-known and most influential 'Arts and Crafts' Gardens in the UK.It is now owned by the National Trust and is open to the public. It was originally created by the talented American horticulturist, Major Lawrence Johnston from 1910 onwards. There are some lovely 'Cotswold Cottages' dotted around the Manor which look very seasonal with their brushing of frost. Looking at the map we seem to have to walk right through 'Hidcote House' a little further on. We certainly passed close to the front door emerging to a short road stretch.   

The sun is shining brightly on the pale Cotswold Stone of 'Hidcote House'. Don't be mislead though, it is still pretty fresh in the shade. We are also starting to lose the light as well. 

The shadows are starting to lengthen, as we cross through several fields. 

Typically these also happen to be the muddiest fields too. Always the way it seems that you get muddy right before the end of the walk.  

 

The end is now in sight, thankfully. It has been difficult in places with the frost and ice when negotiating the various hills. That said It has been a fantastic and memorable walk with great scenery. Who knows what the next leg will have in store? Bound to be a  surprise or two I don't doubt!

This walk came in at exactly 10.7 miles.