Nordic walking in Summer in the Chiltern Hills around Henley on Thames

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Isn’t it amazing how you can walk similar routes and the views are always different depending on the seasons.

Not only is Henley buzzing with the Royal Regatta, The Festival and soon the Thames Traditional Boat Festival but the countryside is glorious, teeming with wild flowers, insects and animals benefitting from the recent rainfall and warm weather.

 

There is no better time to come walking or sign up to learn to Nordic walk. Our walks are varied and never the same

and you will see sights and experience spectacles you have never encountered before. Walking in company in a beautiful area so close to London and Oxford.

Shakespeare Way – Nordic walking Day 6

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This section started in Bladon where the very hospitable owner of the White House – Kevin opened the pub early for us and made us delicious coffees, provided loos and made us very welcome. http://www.whitehousebladon.co.uk/

Bladon is the village beside Blenheim Palace  and Winston Churchill is buried in the graveyard of the local church.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2929670/Never-seen-pictures-documenting-private-burial-Winston-Churchill.html

There is a small Churchill exhibition in the church and memorial stained glass windows commemorating 50 years since his death

The route took us through Yarnton and then along the Oxford Canal and River Isis to Oxford, going through the centre of Oxford and finishing at Iffley Lock. We had a wonderful lunch at Jacob’s ladder inn in Wolvercote village to help us on our way.

 

Shakespeare Way – day 4 Church Enstone to Bladon

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Another dry day – we have been very lucky. This is the one section so far where we felt that the published route could have been improved as there were at least 2 sections where we did 3 sides of a square and there was a lot of tarmac road involved which rather reduced the enjoyment for those sections.

We entered Blenheim Palace via the Stonesfield Steps – last visited by us when doing the Oxfordshire Way which shares the route at this point.

We finished at the White House at Bladon who gave us a very warm welcome, delicious food and were friendly and attentive. The dogs were made very welcome and we will definitely return

crossing in to Blenheim park Church Enstone start Victory column Propping up the tree Blenheim Palace Angela's knickerbocker glory (1) In front of Ditchley park

Shakespeare Way – Day 3

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The third Leg of the Long Distance path started for us in Long Compton – parking a car in the village hall car park to retrieve later.

We had woken up to sunshine and after a coffee stop in a very friendly bakery in Woodstock were ready to tackle the walk.

We had been very pleasantly surprised by no major traffic issues around Oxford so hoping for the same next time.

The countryside was looking magnificent – bursting with vegetation and wildlife and we appeared to be miles from civilisation for much of the time although in fact we were never very far from a house, village, road or other human contact.

No refreshment options until we reached Chipping Norton but The Old Mill Coffee House and Bistro more than made up for it when we got there. We had a delicious lunch in the garden – fresh water for dogs and yummy food for us.

AOJ and Jock Cafe Whichford Wood

Decorated for the Queen's 90th birthday

Decorated for the Queen’s 90th birthday

emerging from the wood

Shakespeare Way Day 2 Halford to Long Compton

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The plan for the day was Halford to Long Compton and we were lucky to have 2 willing chauffeurs in the guise of Tim and Mark.

Tim and Mia started the walk with us and then turned back to retrieve a car whilst Mark went of for some shopping and culture while we walked. Both greeted us at the end – walking towards us.

We had a welcome coffee stop in Le Cafe in Shipston on Stour and made it to Cherington for lunch by the river in the pub garden.

We were blessed with glorious weather again and spectacular scenery. See below the pink blossom from the chesnut trees in Honington

Horse Chestnut blossom Nearly finished for the day Towards Margetts Hill Le Cafe Shipston Nearly finished for the day