Today was a ride to try out a route to Upper Farringdon, where I am going in July with a group to an open garden. John had been planning a range of routes, and this was the chosen one. We drove (via Hogs back) to park at Froyle next to the West End Flower Farm. Horrible route, a lot of dual carriageways, and we returned the much more scenic way via Odiham.
First climb, straight away, to Upper Froyle, but not difficult, as we passed some lambs on the way up.
Route
From Upper Froyle, to Lower Froyle (uphill!), and then a right turn to cross the A31 and drop down to Isington Mill. We noted that there is good parking at Lower Froyle Village Hall. both in the car park and street parking.
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| Isington Mill |
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| Isington Mill, river Wey |
Then a climb up to pass the Farm Shop next to this white house. (not open Sundays)
A bit of undulations, then relatively easy for the next stretch through and beyond Binstead.
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| Binstead |
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| Road curves to the left after Binstead Church |
The next bit doglegs over a main road, then through Shortheath Common. Lots of dead ferns there atm, but will be nice in summer.
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| Oakenhanger |
We detour off the route, to visit the Chocolate Frog for a cuppa and cake. Very nice, with proper cake forks and napkins. Also nice gift barns.
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| Clementine Cake |
Oakenhanger Road changes to Latchford Lane, and soon we arrive in a vcry pretty village called Blackmoor. Old School, Village Hall, Church etc.
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| blurred photo due to heart rate of one of the golf balls |
Eventually we arrive at the main B3006 Selbourne Road, where we turn right just before Gilbert Whites House, into Honey Lane. We climb again, then stop at the top for a photo and views of more golf balls. A couple of other cyclist also stop, and we chat about the route ahead and they mention taking a STEEP hill out of Oakhanger. That's where we're going said John. Oh joy!
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| Views at the top before we drop back down into Oakhanger |
Passing the end of the Chocolate Frog Road, we retrace a little way through Oakhanger, then left into Hartley Mauditt Road, passing the entrance to an MOD place. The climb starts quite gentle, but just keeps going. A breather at this gate at Candover's House.
At the next junction we turn left, then soon straight across the Selbourne Road once more, and downhill all the way to Upper Farringdon. (we are coming back this way... ie all uphill).
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| First site of Upper Farringdon church |
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| Coming into Upper Farringdon |
This is the village where we are going to an open garden in July. Fascinating place with its own MASSEY FOLLY😉
Massey's Folly was built by Thomas Hacket Massey who served as rector in Farringdon village in Hampshire for 62 years.[1] The folly took thirty years to build.[1] The reason the construction was so protracted was that the folly was entirely built by Massey along with a single bricklayer. Further delays were due to Massey occasionally demolishing completed parts of the structure and making further additions.[1] It has seventeen bedrooms and two towers. Its purpose is unknown but since 1925 it has been used as a school and village hall. Massey is buried just outside the church porch.
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| One of the houses which opens its garden |
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| 2000 year old oak tree |
We peddle through the village, which is very pretty, and then retrace our steps uphill to cross the Selbourne Road. (the climb was very gentle). Straight on before we dogleg over the B3004, and through Wyck. All easy going now.
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| Views after we pass through Wyck |
Dropping down we pass over a bridge over the river Wey for the second time today, and then face our last climb up from the river. Just a short one.
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| River Wey less than a mile from the end of our ride approaching Froyle |
We dash across the A31, and back to the car parked next to the Hen and Chicken.
Some very pretty village, but need to redo the route to take out the two killer hills for the ride to the open gardens, or my friends may never speak to me again.😂
