Ewelme to Waterperry Gardens - 30 miles

I had driven to Waterperry Gardens a few times over the years, but the best time is late September to see the Aster display.  I have also cycled here twice before, on a new route I cobbled together in the spring this year, starting from Ewelme.  So, a diary note to try to return again by bike in September, and today was the day.  

I invited a few friends, but many were not free, so we had a nice little group of 4, including John. (His bike buddy Dave was on holiday, or would have joined us.) 

Linda peddled to our house, and we picked up Gill at her house as we passed, and got to Ewelme for about 10ish.

Setting off from Ewelme car park.
Autumnal jackets on, and full gloves today. Only 13 degrees, but we soon warmed up,.

First stop in Ewelme Village was the public loo in the Almshouses
next to the old school building. 

It was gusty today and according to the forecast winds of 30mph were due. This ride is actually not too challenging, since pretty flat, but also quite exposed at times. We battled into the northerly wind the whole way there. But that would mean it would be behind us on the way back, surely! 😕

Passing through Chalgrove, we turned left after The Lamb, where today
there were 4 way traffic lights set up.

Soon we had big open views as we turned off towards Little Haseley.

Bit of faffing going on as we turned off the road towards Little Haseley.

I  love this village. Just a few houses, all in warm honey coloured stone. 

Then through Great Haseley passing the impressive house with it's clipped topiary hedge to keep it private. A  left turn in the village, passing along a very pretty street called Rectory Road, with this  next house on the  bend.

Rectory Road, Great Haseley

Great Haseley Windmill. Catching the light today.

Not far beyond the windmill, we doglegged left/right across the A329, and passed Raymond Blanc's Quatre Saison restaurant, climbing a little into the beautiful village of Great Milton. (no photos here today, since I have taken lots before). Following Sworford Lane for a mile or so, we  joined the busier London Road into Wheatley, then turned into Old London Road, and under the A40. We passed an Oxford Brookes University building, and soon over the M40. Within a mile or so we came into Waterperry village.

Our first call was a cuppa tea, and with the sun still shining, we sat in the garden of the teashop. By the time we had finished, the black sky was looking very ominous!

The teashop garden. 

We bought our tickets and entered the garden, which certainly had the WOW factor, as we turned the corner to the long perennial border. 

Aster with some kind of Helianthus behind. 

Me, Gill, Linda

Helianthus Lemon Queen I am guessing. 

Helanium (Moorheim Beauty, or similar variety).

Gaura Whirling butterflies in the foreground

The first real sign of Autumn, although many Chestnut trees
are diseased so look autumnal prematurely.

John photographing the same tree.

It had smooth seed pods, and I think is a red Horse Chestnut.

At this point, it started to rain, and we knew we could get drenched. So time to head pronto the the cafe, where we all opted for the curried vegetable soup. It was busy in there, since everyone else had the same idea!

By the time we had lunch, the rain which didn't amount to much, had passed, and we returned to explore the rest of the garden.

CARDOON, aka the Artichoke Thistle, looks great even at this seedhead stage.

The hot border with red Dahila, and salvias amongst others.

Aster trial beds. Stunning jewel colours

inside the alpine garden, and that black cloud is not going away!

pretty gate catching the light. 

Stipa Gigantea grass in the foreground

That tree again, looking lovely against the now blue  sky. 

the perennial borders beyond the Chestnut tree

We spent a couple of hours at the gardens, then headed back to Wheatley. Then a circular route back from there, which involved a steep climb up Station Road and Ladder HILL! A man at the bottom commented " good luck with that one".

It's a tough climb, and the road has pinch points, where thankfully the downhill traffic has to give way to those coming uphill. We all made it, and stopped at the top to recover! 😰

A left now towards Cuddeston, passing the impressive Ripon Theological college building. I thought this was part of Oxford University, but perhaps not. It has a long history. Ripon college Cuddesdon 

We soon drop down a steep winding road through Cuddesdon village, which levels out for a half mile or so, before we climb Denton Hill to Denton. 

The others ahead as climb Denton Hill. I stopped for a photo.

Denton Hill, looking back to where we came from. Think it could now be
pouring at Waterperry Gardens!

The next few miles are unfortunately on a busier main road, the B480, but at least a fast easy downhill run into Chiselhampton, and Brookhampton, where we turned passing The Crazy Bear farm shop and hotel. 

Next on the A329 (the same road which comes through Wokingham), we spread out as we passed through Newington, since it's an uphill section, eventually leaving it on a bend signposted to Berrick Prior.     AND relax.  

Quiet lanes followed through pretty villages of Berrick Prior, and Berrick Salome, continuing through to the edge of  Benson.

the left turn in Benson, to make our way back to Eweleme.

I stopped for this photo of the landing lights of RAF Benson. 

I caught up with the others a few minutes later, thinking they had stopped for me, but I noticed that Linda was walking on a footpath.  Why?  She had a puncture. OH no! Less than a mile to go!!!

She started to walk, whilst we all rode to the van, and then came back for her. We came a slightly different route, since there were a lot of school cars parked at Ewelme school (3.15), and we couldn't find her!  We couldn't believe she could have walked that fast, but she is a dog walker and can get up some speed. (I know 'cos I have walked with her. 😂)

We ended up back at the car park where she was waiting for us. We dropped Gill off, with her generous offer to pick some pears from her garden tree. Back to Wokingham at 4.30, but a grand day out. Thanks for your company everyone, and hope you enjoyed your day out.