Walk the Landscape News

A Yellow Springtime: Oilseed Rape in the Countryside

2012-05-13T01:46:00.000-07:00

Happy hiking
Best
Anne
walkthelandscape.co.uk

Marsh Marigolds

2012-05-13T01:31:00.003-07:00

Happy walking
Anne
WalkTheLandscape.co.uk

Blackthorn at Chipping Campden

2012-04-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

Glorious spring sunshine along the Thames Path

2012-04-01T13:42:00.001-07:00

The Thames Path is an 184-miles National Trail, that follows the river for the whole length, from the source in the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier, east of Greenwich. The river meanders it's way through rich farmland and historic towns, such as Oxford and Windsor, before passing through the heart of the city of London, then onward to the estuary in the North Sea.

The walking is easy (the terrain is flat and the trail well maintained), the countryside picturesque and the pubs and inns are inviting - a good way to spend a relaxing break.

Here are a few photos of the trail in the fresh spring sunshine.

Passing through Ewen in the Cotswolds

The Rose Revived, Newbridge, near Oxford

Hazy sunshine near Windsor, west of London

The City Skyline from Wapping, East London

Canary Wharf, East London

We organise walking holidays along the Thames Path.

We source good quality accommodation, arrange luggage transfer, provide walking guides and maps, and support in case of emergency.

Best

Anne

Walk the Landscape

New lambs and blackthorn in flower along the Ridgeway

2012-03-15T17:24:00.004-07:00

New lambs in the combe (valley) dropping down into Bishopstone

A cloud of blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) in full bloom

Best
Anne
walkthelandscape.co.uk

A proposal to shake up the English Rights of Way system

2012-03-08T07:15:00.001-08:00

In February of this year, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) proposed a 'radical shake-up' of the access and public rights of way system. In their report 'The Right Way Forward', they recommend a rationalisation and ‘common sense’ approach to remove the bureaucracy and anomalies in the current regulations and administration of the system.

Their proposals have infuriated organisations like The Ramblers and The Open Spaces Society who see this as the breaking of an agreement made two years ago within a working group set up to look at the future of rights of way.

Amongst the proposals are a reduction in the protection for existing Rights-of-Way making it easier for a path to be re-routed or closed. They are also calling for the greater use of the 'Permissive' status (which is a transitory arrangement) for paths rather than the more formal definition of a footpath as a legally enforceable public highway. Furthermore, they would like to bring forward the full implementation of the provision in the 2000 CROW Act, for claiming any historic pathway not previously recorded, which currently has a 2026 cut-off point.

Another recommendation is that the responsibility for an individual's safety would become that of the individual who, if found not to be complying with the Countryside Code, would not be able to seek legal redress.

The proposals in the CLA's report are also particularly worrying when taken in the context of other Government initiatives such as those aimed at reducing environmental legislation, the Macdonald review of farming legislation and ongoing changes in planning regulations.

For more information you can download the full report from: http://www.cla.org.uk/Policy_Work/Policy_Reports/Access_to_the_Countryside/Rights_of_Way/1009310.htm/

Best

Anne

walkthelandscape.co.uk

Snowdrops and Aconites, a sign of spring

2012-03-01T06:24:00.002-08:00

Happy walking
Anne
walkthelandscape.co.uk

The Ridgeway National Trail - east from Streatley

2012-02-22T15:33:00.002-08:00

The Ridgeway is a National Walking Trail which follows the route of what is probably the oldest road in England. Dating from Prehistoric times it runs for 87 miles (140 km) along chalk downs in central southern England, between Ivinghoe Beacon, near Tring, Hertfordshire to Overton Hill, near Marlborough, Wiltshire.

These photos, taken in February, show the eastern half of the route from Streatley in the Thames valley to the eastern end at Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire.

You can join us to walk this trail from 22nd April to 1st May, 2012. Check out this link to the Ridgeway Tour to find out more .

Public house at Goring on Thames

Walkers on the Thames Path

The view west to Abingdon Power Station

A well signed trail

Lunch

Snowdrops in St Botolph's churchyard, Swincombe

Oaks in the grounds around Chequers, the Prime Minister's country residence

Beechwoods on the Chilterns

Beacon Hill from Combe Hill, above Wendover

Birches by the trail when dropping down to Wendover

Ivinghoe Beacon at the eastern end of the Ridgeway

The trig point at Ivinghoe Beacon, the end of the Ridgeway

You can join us to walk this trail from 22nd April to 1st May, 2012. Check out this link to the Ridgeway Tour to find out more .

Best

Anne

walkthelandscape.co.uk

Cross Cotswold Pathway

2012-02-21T05:10:00.001-08:00

Cross Cotswold Pathway - An 86 mile walking trail, from east to west across the Cotswolds, a set on Flickr.

An 86 mile walking trail, from east to west across the Cotswolds.
Less strenous than the Cotswold Way with beautiful and more varied landscapes.

Trail Dames Summit 2012

2012-02-07T15:12:00.000-08:00

Are you a hiking woman living in the United States?
If you are, then how about joining a lively group of 'curvy' women to celebrate hiking, backpacking and the love of the outdoors.
The 2nd Annual Trail Dames Summit will be held from 8-10 June, 2012 at Durango, Colorado.
Check out Trail Dames Summit 2012 to find out more.

Best
Anne
walkthelandscape.co.uk

Over the Wold: Naunton to Northleach

2012-01-23T15:34:00.000-08:00

Broadway and the Cotswold Escarpment

2012-01-21T15:53:00.000-08:00

Broadway, Broadway Tower and the Cotswold Escarpment are fine places to walk whatever the season. The views are fantastic from the top of the scarp, and in winter on late afternoons the sunsets are impressive.

High Street, Broadway

Broadway Tower

Sunset over the Wold

Best

Anne

walkthelandscape.co.uk

Ducky Devotion

2012-01-09T15:59:00.000-08:00

Mallards on our rivers and canals form pairs in October or November and stay together throughout the winter until the female lays her eggs in April or May. The male’s is extremely handsome here as his bottle-green head is very bright at this time of year.

Best

Anne

walkthelandscape.co.uk

A Late Afternoon in January - A Happy New Year

2012-01-08T15:23:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR
Anne
walkthelandscape.co.uk

A walk along the Coventry Canal

2011-12-27T18:55:00.000-08:00

The Coventry Canal links the northern end of the Oxford Canal to the city centre, and is a green corridor through the suburbs into the city.

Hawkesbury Engine House

where from the early 1800s steam engines pumped water into the canal from deep wells.

Art on a Coventry Canal bridge near Hawkesbury Junction.

Electric Wharf, the site of the first power station in Coventry.

'The Coil' by Frank Triggs

Art on the Coventry Canal

'Daimler Heritage Marker' by Robert Crutchely

Art on the Coventry Canal

The sculpture marks the site of the Daimler Factory that produced the first British production motor car in 1897.

Joseph Cash's weavers cottages built in the 1850s.

The three storey houses had well lit workshops on the top floor. The workshops housed a steam powered Jacquard Loom for weaving ribbons, and allow home-workers to compete with ribbon produced in factories.

'The Journeyman' by Stephen Hitchin

Art on the Coventry Canal

Statue of James Brindley (1716-1772) at the Canal Basin in the centre of Coventry city.

James Brindley designed almost all of the early canals in England including the Coventry Canal. The Canal Basin was once a bustling place, busy with boats at the wharves loading and unloading materials for storage in the surrounding warehouses.

The Cathedral steps, Coventry.

The new cathedral, consecrated in 1962, was built after destruction of the medieval cathedral during bombing raids in the Second World War. The sculpture designed by Sir Jacob Epstein, depicts St. Michael overcoming the Devil.

Happy walking

Anne

Walk the Landscape

Christmas Day in the Cotswolds

2011-12-26T10:59:00.000-08:00

St Nicolas, Oddington

Blenheim Palace

Swans on the Lake, Blenhiem

Happy holidays

Anne

Walk the Landscape

The Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe

2011-12-22T11:52:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

from Walk the Landscape

The Holly

The Ivy

The Mistletoe

Best,

Anne

Winter Sunshine and Wide Views

2011-12-20T16:15:00.000-08:00

The cold, crisp days in December and January offer wide views over expansive landscapes and some of the best days to walk.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hiking

Best
Anne
Walk the Landscape

Winter Willow

2011-12-17T12:36:00.000-08:00

An old willow in the winter sunshine beside the river in the Evenlode valley near Charlbury.

Best

Anne
WalkTheLandscape.co.uk

Winter sunshine

2011-12-09T10:46:00.001-08:00

Sheep grazing in the winter sunshine.

Best
Anne
Walkthelandscape

Crossing the railway track

2011-12-03T17:44:00.001-08:00

Crossing the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway track when walking from Cheltenham.

Best
Anne
walkthelandscape.co.uk

The Oxford Canal Walk: Banbury to Heyford

2011-11-20T14:16:00.000-08:00

Travelling through the outskirts of Banbury

The canal path

A quiet day's fishing

King's Sutton Lock

Reflections

Lock keepers cottage

The sun sets over the canal

Settling down for the night

The Oxford Canal offers easy walking through lush Warwickshire and Oxfordshire countryside.

We organise accommodation and luggage transfer, contact us for more information.

Best

Anne

walkthelandscape.co.uk

Walking in Wiltshire: Salisbury

2011-11-20T14:04:00.000-08:00

Salisbury Cathedral displays the magnificent skills of medieval artists and craftsmen.

Best

Anne

walkthelandscape.co.uk

Walking in Wiltshire: Avebury Stone Circle

2011-11-12T07:04:00.001-08:00

Avebury Stone Circle lies in the Kennet Valley, Wiltshire, at the south-west end of the Ridgeway, one of England's National Walking Trails.

Avebury is at the centre of one of the greatest surviving concentrations of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in Western Europe. It is truly a very special and, for many, a mystical and sacred place.

The Outer Ring of the Stone Circle

The Cove Stones

The Ancient and the Medieval

Sweet music at the Wishing Trees

Wishing Tree shelter

with the bank and ditch of the henge in the background

Stone hugging at West Kennet Avenue

A sarsen stone on West Kennet Avenue

Lichens at home on the stones

*** COMING SOON ***

The RIDGEWAY NATIONAL TRAIL

and STONE CIRCLES (Stonehenge and Avebury)

Self-guided and Guided Walking Tours

Contact us for more information.

Best

Anne

Walk the Landscape

Walking in Wiltshire: Savernake Forest

2011-11-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

Savernake Forest near Marlborough, Wiltshire, offers 4500 acres of magnificent native trees, both young and old. Many are very old, and at around 1000 years old, the Big Bellied Oak claims to be one of the oldest in England - a young sapling around the time of the Battle of Hastings, it now it stands with an impressive 11m girth. In fact, it got so big, that in 2002, a corset was fitted to stop it splitting in half.

The Big Bellied Oak

Legend tells that the devil will appear at midnight to anyone dancing naked around the Big Belly Oak, 12 times anticlockwise.

Tall beeches planted beside forest roads

Criss-crossed by tracks and avenues, this privately owned forest, managed by the Forestry Commission, is freely accessible to walkers although there are no public rights of way. The area is large enough for long walks of up to 10 miles.

A bronze, autumnal beech along a grassy track

The forest was first recorded in Saxon Charters in 934AD, and following the Norman Conquest in 1066 it passed into the care of the Norman Knight, Richard Esturmy. It was passed down through his family for 31 generations and for over 1000 years.

One of the many ancient oaks

Henry VIII hunted there and, soon after the execution of Anne Boleyn, he was so impressed by the steward’s daughter, that he married her. Sadly, Jane Seymour, his only wife to give him a son, died in childbirth.

Bracken adorns the forest floor

In the mid-18^th century the area of forest reached 40,000 acres, ten times bigger than it is now. The head of the family at the time had risen in status to become Governor to King George IV, and employed the famous landscape designer, Capability Brown, to plant the beech avenues that run through the heart of the Forest. These include the Grand Avenue which, at 3.9 miles, is the longest tree lined avenue in Britain.

Best
Anne
walkthelandscape.co.uk