On the morning of 5th December 2021, 16 walkers met opposite the Black Bear Inn, Moreton in March for a 7 mile walk in the North Cotswolds. The weather was overcast and the ground was rather muddy underfoot!

We proceeded down Corder’s Lane and crossed stubble fields up towards Batsford Arboretum. After about an hour we had a coffee stop on a ridge and furrow field overlooking the Vale of Evenlode.

After crossing the approach road for Batsford, we climbed through woodlands to the ridge, where we heard pheasants and onto a section of tarmac road. From this we turned down towards Bourton on the Hill, passing a field of lovely black faced Suffolk sheep. We passed the honey coloured village hall and some charming cottages onto Chantry Lane. Here we came across a plaque in memory of local resident, Admiral Sir Peter Herbert, a noted Royal Navy submariner and vice chief of the Defence Staff.

We then took a right turn from the lane across open fields. Adjacent to the path was a recently planted shelter belt of mixed trees – cotoneasters and viburnum covered with vibrant autumnal red berries.

After passing a water garden and crossing a carriage drive, we caught a glimpse of Sezincote House in the distance. This was built in 1805 with its distinct copper dome and minarets – a Mughal Indian palace set in the Cotswolds. Said to have inspired the Prince Regent to build the Brighton Pavilion after he visited the house in 1807. Sezincote is also frequently used as a film location e.g. Netflix’s Bridgerton series.

We had lunch in the nearby fields, with Red Kites above. We left the Repton designed parkland and headed downhill across more fields towards Moreton in Marsh. In one of the fields were lovely camomile flowers growing among the stubble.

The walk followed some of the Heart of England and Monarch Way trails.

Group by Sezincote House