My walk for today will be a nine mile circuit in the Chiltern Hills starting from Cholsey Grange CL.
I leave Cholsey Grange by walking up the farm drive and crossing the road before going over the cricket field and carrying on diagonally across Ibstone Common to pass the Hibba Stone.
Continuing across the Common I enter woodland and turn left through a gate to join the Chiltern Way. On reaching the metal gate close to Ibstone Common I turn left into the Wormsley Estate, following the path downhill, when the path forks I go left on the Chiltern Way to head steeply downhill to the edge of a field of pasture.
Through the wooden gate I turn right to follow the path by the edge of the field and then after crossing a track enter another field of pasture. When I walked this way a few days ago there were some inquisitive cattle in this field but I see no sign of them today. As I reach the far side of the field I spot the cattle in the shade under some trees, it is obviously too hot for them today.
I go through a kissing gate and cross a tarmac estate road to enter another field. The path now heads diagonally downhill to a kissing gate onto another estate road where I turn right and then quickly left, still on the Chiltern Way. Walking along the tree lined path I come to a fork in the path and go right to leave the Chiltern Way. This well marked path leads through attractive woodland.
At a junction of paths I turn right and then very soon take a path on the left leading towards Christmas Common. This path leads on to a track and almost immediately I take a left turn on to a footpath down a driveway of a house.
As it nears the house the path follows a route around the edge of gardens to reach a field I turn right and then left to join a minor road at Christmas Common.
On the road I take a left turn onto Hollandridge Lane, signposted to North End. As the road sweeps to the left I continue straight on still on Hollandridge Lane, this single-track lane is heading towards Stoner. This track leads into woodland and I stay with it heading towards Hollandridge Farm.
After passing the farm the lane starts to descend gradually, at a point where a footpath crosses the track I turn left to follow the path downhill, to my right are views towards Stoner park.
This path descends to a track that I cross and continue up the opposite side of the valley; this is a steady incline for a warm afternoon.
From the top of this hill there are wonderful views into the valley.
The path now follows a track and then at a fine old metal kissing gate on the left I take a footpath leading across fields towards Turville Heath.
After passing some houses the path emerges onto a minor road by a bus stop. I turn right and then keep left to follow the road besides the heath. At a footpath sign I take a clear path across the common.
The path runs close to the café barn on Turville Heath and then continues downhill on a stony track on an old sunken pathway.
After passing through woodland the track continues between fields to reach a minor road, Holloway Lane, I cross and enter woods and turn right to follow a route through the trees running parallel to the road.
After crossing a farm track I continue on for a short distance to a crossing of paths, here I turn left and follow the route as it heads steadily uphill.
After passing through an avenue of beech trees the path emerges onto a single-track tarmac lane. I follow this towards Ibstone Common.
After passing the Cricket pitch I cross the road and return to Cholsey Grange down the driveway.
To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 171 – Chiltern Hills West
13th August 2019
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2019)