On Sunday 9th April, we joined forces with the Windsor & District Ramblers group for an 8 mile walk, led by Joyce (of the W&D group). Twenty-four of us, with a roughly even mix of both groups, gathered outside the Rising Sun pub in the hamlet of Witheridge Hill, for a 10 AM start.
We set off on a footpath that led from the pub car park, heading east across fields and into woodland at Stonehouse Farm. Turning south we continued through farmland and woodland, passing by Satwell, through Shepherd's Green and on to Greysgreen Farm.
Here we joined the Chiltern Way, which took us into the grounds of Greys Court, a National Trust property with delightful gardens and tea shop. Most of us are already members of the National Trust, but those that weren't might now be thinking of joining up. (The walk leader had obtained consent for as to pass through the grounds and visit the tea shop.)
While most stopped for tea, a few of us visited the walled gardens. Having been there the previous month month, I was amazed to see how much it had changed now that Spring has sprung. Following the Chiltern Way into the woodland behind Greys Court, the first bluebells were also out.
Leaving the Chiltern Way as it entered Famous Copse, we headed west, through Earl's Wood and Tartary before stopping for our picnic lunch in a large wooded crater. During lunch I discussed with one of the W&D group how this large bowl in the woodland may have been formed. We considered natural subsidence, a sink-hole or maybe even a WWII bomb crater!
We continued our walk through more woodland and fields, at Lower Highmoor and Highmoor Common. The woodland looks lovely at this time of year, with the foliage not fully out so there is lots of sunlight coming in. Also we'd had a couple of dry weeks beforehand so the paths weren't muddy either.
Leaving the woodland, we followed Deadman's Lane to Devil's Hill, which we ascended only to descend Newman Hill the other side. Then more ascent up Witheridge Hill and back to the Rising Sun, where we'd started. See our route on Google Maps.
There was time for a well-earned drink at the pub. We'd seen temperatures of 25°C (77°F) on the walk, which is pretty good for April. We were able to enjoy more of the lovely sunshine in the pub garden before going home after this very successful joint walk.
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