Pete's Walks - Studham, Briden's Camp, Flamstead (page 3 of 3)
At the end of this bridleway, I turned right along a lane, which went steeply uphill to a crossroads where I turned left into Friendless Lane. Here I spotted a male Blackcap, a bird that I'm not sure I've ever seen before on my walks. I followed the very familiar lane for a few hundred yards, before forking left into Friendless Wood, the path continuing along the far side of the wood and on through a few more fields before rejoining the lane as it reached Cheverell's Green on the edge of Markyate.
Friendless Lane
Friendless Wood
The path alongside Friendless Wood
The path parallel to Friendless Wood
The path parallel to Friendless Wood
I took a path almost opposite the end of Friendless Lane, which went through a small meadow, and then I turned left along another long hedgerow, with pleasant views of wooded hills and valleys ahead and to my right. On eventually reaching the distant field corner, the path went left to reach Roe End Lane. I followed the lane to the right, and when it ended after quarter of a mile or so I took the public byway that is its continuation, a very pleasant track between hedgerows where again I saw some Greater Stitchwort.
The path between Cheverell's Green and Roe End
Looking north from that path, roughly in the direction of Kensworth
Approaching the end of Roe End Lane and the start of the Public Byway
The Public Byway from Roe End to Studham Common
The track went straight on for about three quarters of a mile, before turning left, and gradually making its way downhill to reach the north-east corner of Studham Common. I then just walked along the bottom of the common for about half a mile to return to my parked car, which I reached around 2.30pm after walking for about five hours.
The Public Byway from Roe End to Studham Common
The Public Byway from Roe End, just after it turns left towards Studham Common
The path along the bottom of Studham Common
The path along the bottom of Studham Common
Almost all the route was very familiar to me, but I enjoyed it very much nevertheless - it would be hard not to enjoy a walk on a day such as this, which was almost perfect for walking - blue skies, dry underfoot, warm but never too warm, and lots of emerging flowers and butterflies. The route was pleasant enough, but I did notice that there was almost no woodland at all (except Friendless Wood). There were many pleasant views over rolling and well-wooded countryside, but no really great views like I've had on some recent walks. But I'm very happy to have such a decent walk almost on my doorstep.