On Thursday 19th August 5 members set off on a very pleasant morning from the picturesque village of Great Rissington. Passing the 12thC St John the Baptist church they bore right onto a private road to reach the entrance to the Windrush Agricultural Estate.

 Here they made a left turn into the entrance of the farm and after a few yards they turned left at the footpath sign, following the hedge round the end of the houses to head uphill through a grassy meadow, and onto a track.

 Turning right they followed the track for about 1/2 mile before turning right and walking round the edge of a field planted with sweetcorn. They then headed down towards a bridle-gate with amazing views. Passing through the bridle-gate they followed the footpath diagonally through a beautiful field of golden corn to Mill Copse.

The group then joined a track with meadows of wildflowers either side, heading downhill until the track continued left, before turning right. Here they stopped for a short refreshment break.

 They continued on through another field of freshly cut corn until they reached the entrance through trees and over a footbridge into Chessels Woods, bordering the River Windrush. On the other side of this beautiful soft, flowing river are the Sherborne Estate Wetlands and Water Meadows.

On leaving the wood they followed the footpath across the fields, continuing uphill through the centre of a crop of sweetcorn, with beautiful views of the North Cotswolds behind them. They then turned right onto a track and followed the line of firs to the entrance of the Windrush Agricultural Estate.

Finally they walked back through the village for an enjoyable lunch at The Lamb Inn.

Walking through Great Rissington

Views of the rolling landscape

Lovely wild cornflowers in bloom

Walking by the River Windrush

Getting the harvest in as the cattle enjoy a lush green meadow