Daphne is in Croatia, but the 4 of us loaded into our van this morning to drive to Ewelme to start our ride. I am leaded a ride in October for the Berks, Bucks and Oxfordshire Breeze Champs, and have arranged to visit a private garden in Chalgrove. The owner said I was welcome to pop in anytime, so having contacted her yesterday, we would pop in! John had found a farm shop in Dorchester as a new coffee stop, so planned a route to include this too.
Route link (screenshot at end)
(It seemed a slow journey this morning, so by the time we wet off from Ewelme it was almost 10.30! I had suggested a late morning arrival at the garden, but messaged Vicky later to advise it would be more like 1.15.)
We left Ewelme and unusually headed immediately downhill through Benson, Crowmarsh Gifford and over the bridge in Wallingford. (normally we head north). A bit of main road and traffic inevitable through Wallingford, but we soon joined NCR 5 (a bit overgrown in places) to make our way to Brightwell cum Sotwell.
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| Brightwell cum Sotwell. |
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| Brightwell cum Sotwell. |
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Down this lane next, where we soon crossed the A4130 into a very narrow
and nettled path.(part of NCR 5, so it could do with a bit of strimming!) |
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A little bit of a gradual climb to some views from a road called
Sires Hill, where we turned off right to climb further passing Wittenham Clumps
(we more often come the other direction)
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| Top of the climb at Wittenham, before a nice long downhill to Little Wittenham |
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| Following the signage to the farm shop. |
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| On our left of the track |
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| The others ahead around the Alpaca field. |
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| Nice cafe, with good cakes. |
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As we left the cafe, a right turn into Dorchester Village, since we wanted
to check if the cafe is still in the main street? It's not. |
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Dorchester, but we now double back to pick up Drayton Road
to dash over the A4074. |
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| Dorchester Road through Drayton St Leonard. |
We continued, to cross a small bridge over the River Thame, emerging at the junction not too far from the Crazy Bear at Stadhampton, (to our left.) We turned right, and endured the A329 and it's undulations for 3 miles, through Newington, leaving at the junction for Berrick Salome. Quiet lanes once more. Passing through Roke, a couple of left turns onto Hollandtide Lane, then right on Berrick Road into Chalgrove. 3 tractors behind us as we arrived..... like the rush hour.
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| Hollandtide Lane, nr Chalgrove. |
The garden we visited is called The Grange. I had been instructed to press a button to open the gated entrance, and an impressive tree lined drive way to the house. We arrived around 1.15, and once finished her lunch, Vicky kindly walked us round her extensive garden. 3 gardeners were at work, but she is also very hands on.
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The pond which was "discovered" once this part of the garden had been cleared
of trees and brambles several years ago. The summer house was added by Vicky.
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| photo by John |
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| Linda's photo........ |
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| John's photo of Hobo, who accompanied us on our walk. |
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| Photo by John. Zantadeschia |
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| Knautia flowers dancing in the breeze. |
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| On the Island in the lake |
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Vicky said there was no access to the island
when she bought the property, so they had bridges constructed.
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The Roses in the more formal garden, backed by a curved Yew hedge,
are out especially early this year, joining the Alliums. |
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| Photo by Linda. The amazing Allium Schubertii. |
A delightful visit, and I look forward to my visit in October, when the many grasses and late season perennials will be looking gorgeous.
With just a few more miles to go, we cut though the farm track on Caldwell Lane, connecting to Brightwell Baldwin, and on Eyre's Lane to drop into Ewelme.
A bit of a late lunch, but a lovely day out.
