On Sunday 8th August, twenty members set off from the village hall at Adlestrop in light rain to complete the 6.5 miles circular walk.

 Prior to our departure, Selwyn read Edward Thomas’ poem written just before World War 1 which begins, ‘Yes, I remember Adlestrop’. On leaving the carpark, we saw the old station nameplate ‘Adlestrop’ which is placed in a small shelter as a tribute to Edward Thomas who sadly died at the end of the war.

 We continued our walk, crossing fields where there happened to be many horses (appreciated only by some members! ) until we eventually reached the small village of Evenlode and the 12th Century church of St. Edward’s. The church stands just outside the village besides an ancient track formerly known as Bledington Road or Jail Lane. Interestingly, there is no electricity supply to this ancient building, so services at St. Edward’s are limited to the summer months and Christmas!

 After lunch, we continued the walk until we reached the National Trust property, Chastleton House. This is a fine, unspoilt Jacobean mansion which was built by a local wool merchant in the early 17th Century.

 After reluctantly saying goodbye to Chasteleton, we continued our journey back to the carpark at Adlestrop. By this time, the sun was shining and we could all appreciate the beautiful countryside of a rural village nestling under the brow of a Cotswolds hill in the heart of England!

The sun is out so time for a group photograph

Spot the odd one out!

Walking through Evenlode

Liz tells us all about Chaselton House

Making our way back to Adelstrop