Twelve members braved blustery winds for a five mile walk in the Faringdon area. For the most part, the weather conditions were dry and cloudy.
Starting from the Badbury Hill National Trust car park, the walk began with a circular tour of the site of an Iron Age Hill Fort, which is thought to date back to around 600BC and was a battleground between the Anglo Saxons and the Celts.
There followed a descent through Coxwell Woods to Brimstone Farm where the group joined the D’arcy Dalton Way and followed this for just under a mile.
After crossing the main Highworth to Faringdon road (B4019), the walkers joined a further bridleway which took them close to Furzehill Barn and Bury Hill. Whilst following this right of way, the ramblers were able to enjoy superb views across to the Marlborough Downs and the Westmill Wind Farm, located near Watchfield. This wind farm commenced operations in 2008 and was the first onshore wind farm in South East England.
On reaching the village of Great Coxwell, the group took a tour down the main street passing the Reading Room, dating from 1801, and the School before progressing to the 12th Century Church of St Giles. This has a number of interesting features including a very attractive piece of 20th Century stained glass. Retracing their path along the high street the walkers continued on to visit the Great Tythe Barn, which was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1956 and is the sole surviving part of a grange, given to Cistercian Monks by King John, that once provided income to Beaulieu Abbey. The barn is believed to have been built in about 1292.
Finally, a short uphill climb of about half a mile led the group back to the start.
From the site of the Iron Age Fort there are far ranging views
"Young" and "Old" are wrapped up against the weather !
The impressive Tythe Barn at Great Coxwell
A briefs stop to look around the Great Barn
The School and Reading Room in Great Coxwell