Pete's Walks - Watlington Hill and Park Corner (page 2 of 3)
I took a path through the churchyard, which continued across a drive and then went gradually uphill across the park land surrounding Swyncombe House. On entering Church Wood I forked right, this path gradually rising through the trees to meet a crossing path near the top of the slope. I turned right, following the level path along the hillside. At a small gap between Church Wood and Haycroft Wood there was a good view over Swyncombe to the Oxfordshire Plain. Across another drive, the path continued through Haycroft Wood, then went over a stile to enter another section of the park land around Swyncombe House. The path was now very pleasant, with Straights Plantation to my left and the park land sloping down to my right. There were views back to Swyncombe Downs and out to the Oxfordshire Plain.
The path through the park land of Swyncombe House, heading east to Church Wood
The path going southeast in Church Wood
View out over Swyncombe to the Oxfordshire Plain, from the small gap between Church Wood and Haycroft Wood
The path on the southern edge of the park land around Swyncombe House, with Straights Plantation on the left
Close-up shot looking out towards the Oxfordshire Plain
The path continuing beside Straights Plantation
Looking north to Swyncombe Downs
When I eventually reached the end of the park I turned left, rejoining the Ridgeway path as it followed a farm track to the large farmyard at Ewelme Park. Here I finally left the Ridgeway, and turned left along the drive from Ewelme Park. Just beyond some cottages on the left, I took a path into a wood on the right. This soon turned left and ran through a more open area before continuing with a small wood on my left. It then turned right behind a hedgerow, and dropped gently downhill to reach Hazel Wood. Here I turned left, following a path for maybe half a mile to reach the village or hamlet of Park Corner.
Back on the Ridgeway for a third time, heading towards Ewelme Park
Start of the drive going east from Ewelme Park
The path between Ewelme Park and Hazel Wood
The path in Hazel Wood
The path approaching Park Corner
I crossed a minor road and continued down a small village lane. I then turned left down a bridleway - after passing some garden fences a signpost indicated that it was a 'public byway', though the map doesn't show it as one. It ran past a wood on my right, then continued between overhanging hedgerows that formed a 'green tunnel'. I spotted some Nettle-leaved Bellflower growing here, something I saw in two other places today as well.
Near the start of the public byway in Park Corner
The public byway heading east from Park Corner
The byway continuing towards Westwood Manor Farm
The byway continuing towards Westwood Manor Farm