Pete's Walks - Studham Common and Markyate
Another short local walk walk that I did on the morning of Saturday 28th February 2009. I was suffering with a bad chest, and felt really tired after the short walks I’d done in the last couple of days, so I didn't want to do anything too strenuous. So I started at Studham Common and walked to Markyate, returning via Roe End. I saw and heard a Skylark as I crossed Studham Common. I took the track that starts in the corner of the common by the waterworks - I’d always assumed this track was a Public Bridleway but the sign indicated it was a ‘Public Highway’. The other end of the track is at the start of Roe End Lane, so it was obviously a lane in times gone by.
The path along the top of Studham Common
Studham from Studham Common
The 'public byway' from Studham common to Roe End
The 'public byway' from Studham common to Roe End
Where the ‘highway’ turned right towards Roe End, I went straight on along a footpath that soon curved right, alongside Byslips Wood and then Dedmansey Wood. Beyond the wood, I saw a Buzzard very high in the sky, and three other birds making a strange noise that I’d not heard before. They were quite big, possibly raptors, but I’ve no idea what they were.
The path beside Byslips Wood and Dedmansey Wood
The path continuing to Markyate
The path to Markyate
Approaching Buckwood Road on the edge of Markyate
The path took me to Markyate, which I immediately left by taking a long curving path towards Roe End.
Looking back to Markyate from the path to Roe End
Close-up of a view towards Studham church, from the path to Roe End
View northwards from the path to Roe End
The path to Roe End
The path approaching the hamlet of Roe End
I followed Roe End Lane to its end (where the 'public highway' I’d been on earlier continued ahead of me) and turned left down the farm track to Beechwood Home Farm. I saw the Guinea fowl that are usually around the farm environs, and continued my walk through Gravelpit Wood and Great Bradwin’s Wood (where I heard another Buzzard). On the far side of the woods it was then a short stroll back to my car.
Looking back to Roe End from the track to Beechwood Home Farm
Pond in Gravelpit Wood
Path through Great Bradwin's Wood