Pete's Walks - Maidensgrove Common and Henley (page 2 of 5)
I followed the very pleasant track for half a mile or more, enjoying the views it provided over the surrounding countryside - I seemed to be stopping every few minutes to take more photos. At the end of the track the path continued by a hedge on the right, which soon turned right to reach Paradise Wood (good name!) where I went over a stile. The footpath turned left to continue just inside the edge of the wood, still going south along the valley. Obviously I no longer had any real views, but this was still quite pleasant here. A small section of the wood had recently been felled. Beyond the wood, the path went downhill across an arable field to reach a minor road just north of Middle Assendon.
The track going south from Coxlease Farm, with the Stonor Valley to the right
The track going south from Coxlease Farm
Looking west from the track going south from Coxlease Farm
Looking back towards Coxlease Farm
The track going south from Coxlease Farm
The path continuing through Paradise Wood
The path beyond Paradise Wood, descending to the road into Middle Assendon
It was only a short section along the road (which was wide enough for two cars and soon had a verge anyway) before I entered the village of Middle Assendon (there is a Lower Assendon further down the valley, and Stonor was once called Upper Assendon - a farm there still bears that name). I turned left at a minor road junction, then took a path on the right going quite steeply back uphill. I saw a couple walking ahead of me, and I caught up with them at a stile as the path emerged from trees into a large paddock or pasture. We got chatting as we followed the path along a fence line and then through more paddocks - they lived in Middle Assendon, and as we walked together over the next mile or so it emerged that they shared my interest in birds and had also been on holiday with HF Holidays which I've done a few times.
Entering Middle Assendon
Start of the path out of Middle Assendon
The path from Middle Assendon
The path from Middle Assendon
Looking northwest from the path from Middle Assendon
Approaching the lane crossing near Crockmore Farm
Beyond the paddocks, we crossed a lane (near Crockmore Farm, according to the map) and continued on a long track heading to Henley Park. We met several other walkers coming the other way, and the three of us were surprised how many other walkers were about.
The long drive south to Henley Park
The drive to Henley Park