Bishopstone and Hinton Parva

Bishopstone Pond

We went a bit further for a our walk today: to Bishopstone just east of Swindon. The route was rather simple: due south as far as a bridge over the M4, then north east up to Hinton Parva, then east back to Bishopstone.

We parked near the Royal Oak pub and followed signs to The Ridgeway, emerging into the head of of delightful valley, marked on the map as Bishopstone Folly.

We had no option but to turn left at the top and this brought us into a second valley, wider and with a sharp bend to the right. We saw some Common Blue butterflies here: the first of the year.

We emerged to go straight ahead, crossing the Ridgeway and continuing south through farmland. After a while I noticed a tall building to our left which I thought must be the Dutch style, 17th century Ashdown House, just over the border in Berkshire. I have been past it before but never been in. I have made a note to research a circular walk in the area.

As we approached the end of this section, now on a farm road, we passed by some cows and could now see and hear the Motorway.

We reached the motorway bridge and turned half right to walk along a path between fields. The green landscape was broken up by the colours of this field off to the right.

As we approached the return crossing of the Ridgeway, the distinctive Charlbury Hill could be seen ahead to the right.

We passed through the grounds of Hill Manor, a horse racing stable. We were interested to see the training gallops consisting of bits of carpet and underlay.

Leaving the Manor, we found ourselves in the wonderful winding valley known as The Combes. This is the view looking back.

To complete the walk we went through the village of Hinton Pava, across a field and then along the road for over half a mile back to Bishopstone. Not the ideal way to finish a quite long walk, although we did see our first Swallows of the year as we entered the village.

Conditions: mild and bright.

Distance: 6.5 miles.

From:  100 walks in Wiltshire.

Map: Explorer 170 (Abingdon, Wantage & Vale of White Horse).

Rating: four stars.