Riseley to Englefield Gardens - 30 miles

A few weeks ago, I had made a note to visit Englefield Gardens, part of the estate,  which are only open on Mondays. (Free to RHS members, otherwise £5 in an honesty box)

Daphne suggested we ride there a couple of weeks back, but since I was busy with family visiting, the ride was delayed. Now free of kids, and with spring well under way, it seemed an ideal time to go. Only problem is that poor Daphne has been unwell, and not up to riding far atm. (Also she ended up in Dorset for 2 days.)  Gill was free today, so joined Linda and me, and John came too.  The Englefield Tea shop has also reopened after renovation. ( Open Mon/Wed/Friday and Saturdays, so we planned to use that too.)  We  met Gill at the car park at Riseley. Turns out Gill has only been to Englefield once, so much of the route was like a new ride for her today. 😊

We flew down Welsh Lane, and then climbed to join the Beech Hill Road into Stratfield Mortimer. Once over the railway, a left then a right turn into Mortimer Lane then Nightingale Lane. This avoids the climb up through the village, potentially being hassled by traffic. John and Linda were setting the pace, which was close to 13mph. Too fast! Gill and I stopped for a photo at the high point on Nightingale Lane.

Viewpoint on Nightingale Lane. White Campion in the foreground,
and White Hawthorne hedges beyond

High point on Nightingale Lane, and now we drop down
and up again, and catch up with the others.  

Route

A steep downhill next, crossing Lockram Brook, followed by a steady climb up to Wokefield Common. Then the not so interesting section through Burghfield, before a right turn at a X roads, and soon we passed the pretty Sulhampstead Church with it's white timber. (no photos today). We would return to the same  X roads approaching from the opposite side later,  on our way back.

Left turn now at the bottom of Folly Lane. The fields all
a lush green. 

Joining Jacques Lane, for another undulating section passing the 
Police College. 

Crossing the Kennet and Avon at Sheffield Bottom
The lights were on red. 

Green light! Go!!

Over the narrow K&A Canal Bridge, to come into Theale.

We rode on the pretty lanes through the Hamlet of North Street, then straight over into Englefield Village.  A new car park has appeared since my last visit. First stop, the Tea Shop. 

In the Teashop. And the date is Gill's son Edward's birthday. 

Lemon Curd cake with a fresh strawberry. 

Very pleasant sitting outside. The sun came and went. 

Fed and watered, time to head to the Gardens.... which are uphill! I had told them to bring their RHS cards. Although some had either not brought their card or brought NTrust (my fault), we just walked in. There was an honesty box to drop £5 in if not a member, but we were all members anyway.  

Normally, apart from Mondays,  this road is marked as "Private". 

We need to get up that hill ahead!

Gill had stopped at the bottom of the hill to point out the deer
in the field beyond the daffs. We would see them again later from the gardens. 

Zooming in. Loads of deer, which are owned by the Estate. 

Catching them up. Phew. Feeling overdressed!
Photo by John

The views once inside the grounds of the garden. 

There are quite a lot of photos today! Some taken just so that I can remind the ladies of the plant names. 

A large swath of Comfrey

Omphaloides at the path edge at the bottom of the stream 

John catching up. The couple behind him, were the only others in the garden. 

Signs of bluebells just appearing. 

Unusual bus stop!

Silly old fools. 😂

The Grotto is new. The reflections in the mirror amused us no end.
Our legs looking really skinny, but our feel looking enormous. 😂

Pieris looking lovely with its new foliage.

Golden Acer leaves just emerging, and that other couple making it slowly up the hill. 

One for Linda. Epimedium. Great ground cover for shady places. 
Tiny flowers, with heart shaped leaves. 

Display of fallen Camelia flowers. 

A bear!

Not sure what you call this? 

Huge flowering Cherry flowers.

A Ribes (flowering currant). Unusual colour. 

The deer now all sitting down. 

Not in focus! Snakes Head Fritillaria. 

The more formal garden. 

We all loved this tulip. Its a Lily flower Tulip called Merlot.
Saw it in a garden last year. Must get some. It's beautiful. 

More lovely Tulips,

These are buds of Camassia Leichtlenii Caeruleam. I used to plant them in all 
my customer's gardens if Autumn planting. 

A very enjoyable hour or so spent in sunshine strolling in the garden. Now to drop downhill, return through Theale and join Bottom Lane before climbing Sulhampstead Hill. 

Leaving. 

Hairpin bend was much easier on the way down. 

From Sulhampstead, we headed on very straight roads to Mortimer West End, then dropped down steeply on Church Road, passing the Red Lion pub, and the climb up to Silchester.  As we left Silchester behind, I spotted Rape Crops in the field.  The scent quite powerful today. 

First of the Rape Crops coming into flower this year. 

I walked into this field for a better photo. 

Waiting for me, with the Rape fields now behind them.

A gentle climb now to use Green Lane to skirt the edge of Stratfield Saye to face the final slog up Welsh Lane, back to Riseley. 

A perfect morning weather wise. No wind, a bit of sun and quiet lanes on the majority of the ride. Thanks to all for joining me.