Day 9 - Wednesday 22 June 2022
Old Sodbury to North Stoke (14.6 miles)
My penultimate day. Another extremely warm day with light breezes therefore Fudge would only join me as far as Dyrham where Angie would pick him up and meet me later, firstly at Cold Ashton and then at the end of today's walking at North Stoke.
Here we go - the penultimate day as Angie drops Fudge and I off at Old Sodbury
The start of todays leg headed up Catchpot Lane towards Dodington Park
From Catchpot Lane the route entered the grounds of the Dodington Estate (and yes we did)
The lush and very pretty grounds of the Dodington Estate
One of several entrances to the main house
The estate dates from the 16th Century and since 2003 is owned by the British inventor and businessman James Dyson for a price believed to be £20 million. The estate was believed to be 300 acres at the time of the 2003 sale. Dyson constructed an underground swimming pool beneath the orangery without planning permission in 2011. The existence of the pool was subsequently revealed to South Gloucestershire planning officers in 2015 after a tip off, and Dyson was forced to retrospectively apply for planning permission, which was granted in October 2016. Just goes to show that grassing on someone really sucks.
The estate dates from the 16th Century and since 2003 is owned by the British inventor and businessman James Dyson for a price believed to be £20 million. The estate was believed to be 300 acres at the time of the 2003 sale. Dyson constructed an underground swimming pool beneath the orangery without planning permission in 2011. The existence of the pool was subsequently revealed to South Gloucestershire planning officers in 2015 after a tip off, and Dyson was forced to retrospectively apply for planning permission, which was granted in October 2016. Just goes to show that grassing on someone really sucks.
The grounds of Dodington Hall were beautifully manicured
A lone Oak
Mother & Daughter from the USA Chris & Sarah who I had bumped into off and on throughout the walk
More old signage as I head to Tormarton
Tormarton is accessed by one of those stiles that when lifting a dog over it ensures you bang your shins good & proper
St Mary Magdalene Church in Tormarton
Lovely old pub sign in Tormarton.................
.......... however another one that has sadly bit the dust - very, very shut
Just after Tormarton the route crosses the M4 Motorway - thankfully via a bridge
At Grid Reference ST 760 774 (junction of Beacon Lane) a temporary diversion was in place due to an issue with the path near the Beacon Lane Plantation. The diversion headed south down Wallsend Lane and then west along Dunsdown Lane to rejoin the route at Badminton Plantation (Grid Ref ST 747 765).
Approaching Dyrham Park - and no, we have not been suddenly teleported to America
Dyrham Park
The property is owned by the National Trust having been purchased for the nation in 1956 in memory of those who gave their lives for their country between 1939 & 1945. It is a fine example of baroque architecture and the house was created by colonial administrator William Blathwayt in the late 17th century. The 270-acre ancient rolling parkland is home to a vast array of trees and has far-reaching views and the grounds display formal borders, idyllic ponds, a wildflower orchard and wooded terraces.
The property is owned by the National Trust having been purchased for the nation in 1956 in memory of those who gave their lives for their country between 1939 & 1945. It is a fine example of baroque architecture and the house was created by colonial administrator William Blathwayt in the late 17th century. The 270-acre ancient rolling parkland is home to a vast array of trees and has far-reaching views and the grounds display formal borders, idyllic ponds, a wildflower orchard and wooded terraces.
The ornate plaque displayed in the grounds of Dyrham Park commemorating the purchase by the National Trust in 1956
The Main House with the Orangery to the left which was originally a greenhouse
A side view of the Orangery with the Main House to the rear. The building to the left is the Stable Block which has been part converted into a cafe & shop with accompanying seating area.
One of the many aspects of the beautiful formal gardens
The Church of St Peter in Dyrham Park
The Anglican parish church of St Peter was originally built in the mid 13th century and had a three-stage tower added in the 15th, however it was extensively restored when the main house was built in the late 17th century. The church is not owned by the National Trust but is closely associated with the rest of the estate and has the tombs and memorials for many owners of the house.
The Anglican parish church of St Peter was originally built in the mid 13th century and had a three-stage tower added in the 15th, however it was extensively restored when the main house was built in the late 17th century. The church is not owned by the National Trust but is closely associated with the rest of the estate and has the tombs and memorials for many owners of the house.
The beautiful interior of The Church of St Peter, Dyrham Park
The formal gardens leading up to the Main House with The Church of St Peter to the left
The lake at Dyrham Park - an ideal spot for an afternoon picnic
Heading over farmland towards Dyrham Wood
Deep in the heart of Dyrham Wood there is a message box put here about 20 or so years ago to allow walkers to record their experiences of walking the Cotswold Way
Therefore I recorded my name and reason for walking. Just a shame that I got the date wrong (should read the 22nd) - what an old duffer!
Passing the curiously named "Cornflake Cottage" as I enter the village of Pennsylvania
Reaching the A420 I passed through the small hamlet of The Folly
The beautiful Holy Trinity Church in Cold Ashton. The Church Tower dates from the 14th Century.
The Cavalry at Cold Ashton
Sulking because he can't come with me - it's just too hot Fudge I'm afraid
One of the access doors into the Manor House in Cold Ashton
From Cold Ashton I made my way towards Landsdown Hill over more lush green farmland
The stone stile, marked by a metal battlefield marker flag which gives access to the field where the Battle of Lansdown took place in 1643
Next to the access stile is a stone marker with an engraved soldier - inscribed on the stone is the following:
"Looting Soldier from C17th Image Lansdown 1643"
"Looting Soldier from C17th Image Lansdown 1643"
It is hard to imagine and comprehend the carnage that took place in this serene and beautiful spot in July 1643. The field here is the battleground of the final stage of the Battle of Lansdown in the English Civil War between the Parliamentarian Army commanded by Sir William Waller and the Royalists commanded by Sir Ralph Hopton. The two were old friends having fought together in the Thirty Years War however found themselves on opposing sides this time. The battle was so fierce that one observer described the scene as "legs and arms flying all over the place".
The two forces engaged in indecisive skirmishing for two hours until Hopton tried to withdraw. Waller once again sent his horse and dragoons against the Royalist's rearguard, and this time they routed the Royalist cavalry, although the infantry stood firm. Hopton's army then turned about and ultimately defeated the Roundhead cavalry in a confused action. With his Cornish foot regiments already advancing without orders, Hopton at last attacked Lansdowne Hill. As they charged up the steep slopes towards the Parliamentarian position on the crest, Hopton's cavalry suffered badly, and many panicked. 1,400 of them fled, some as far as Oxford. Under Sir Bevil Grenville, Hopton's Cornish pikemen stormed Waller's breastworks, while Royalist musketeers outflanked Waller's forces through the woods on each side of his position. Grenville was mortally wounded in hand-to-hand combat as the Parliamentarian horse cavalry counter-attacked and were driven off. Waller's infantry fell back to a wall across the crest of the hill from where they kept up musket fire until dark fell. During the night, they withdrew silently, leaving burning matches on the wall to deceive the Royalists that they still held the position.
The battle was therefore indecisive although the Royalist attempt to seize Bath had been thwarted.
The two forces engaged in indecisive skirmishing for two hours until Hopton tried to withdraw. Waller once again sent his horse and dragoons against the Royalist's rearguard, and this time they routed the Royalist cavalry, although the infantry stood firm. Hopton's army then turned about and ultimately defeated the Roundhead cavalry in a confused action. With his Cornish foot regiments already advancing without orders, Hopton at last attacked Lansdowne Hill. As they charged up the steep slopes towards the Parliamentarian position on the crest, Hopton's cavalry suffered badly, and many panicked. 1,400 of them fled, some as far as Oxford. Under Sir Bevil Grenville, Hopton's Cornish pikemen stormed Waller's breastworks, while Royalist musketeers outflanked Waller's forces through the woods on each side of his position. Grenville was mortally wounded in hand-to-hand combat as the Parliamentarian horse cavalry counter-attacked and were driven off. Waller's infantry fell back to a wall across the crest of the hill from where they kept up musket fire until dark fell. During the night, they withdrew silently, leaving burning matches on the wall to deceive the Royalists that they still held the position.
The battle was therefore indecisive although the Royalist attempt to seize Bath had been thwarted.
Just under a mile from the battlefield is Sir Bevil Grenville's Monument
The monument was placed here where on 5 July 1643 Sir Bevil Grenville fell mortally wounded after leading his regiment of Cornish pikemen. It was erected by Grenville's grandson and has been maintained by his descendants. This has included the repair of inscriptions carved on the base of the monument, eulogising Grenville and his forces. The Elegy on Sir Bevil Grenville by William Cartwright, a fellow Royalist, who died shortly after Sir Bevil on 29 November 1643, is inscribed on the monument:
This was not Nature’s courage nor that thing,
We valour call which Time and Reason bring,
But a diviner fury fierce and high,
Valour transported into Ecstasy.
The monument was placed here where on 5 July 1643 Sir Bevil Grenville fell mortally wounded after leading his regiment of Cornish pikemen. It was erected by Grenville's grandson and has been maintained by his descendants. This has included the repair of inscriptions carved on the base of the monument, eulogising Grenville and his forces. The Elegy on Sir Bevil Grenville by William Cartwright, a fellow Royalist, who died shortly after Sir Bevil on 29 November 1643, is inscribed on the monument:
This was not Nature’s courage nor that thing,
We valour call which Time and Reason bring,
But a diviner fury fierce and high,
Valour transported into Ecstasy.
I don't really understand a sign that says "don't walk in these woods" yet provides a gate and footpath that passes right through them?
The rather forlorn looking Trig Point on the summit of Hanging Hill
Looking over to the Headquarters of Avon Fire & Rescue
The sixth tee at Lansdown Golf Club - the route runs to the left of the fairway
Alongside the Golf Course are several metal sculptures by the late artist David Morse
Somebody said of the sculptures that they are "A stark reminder that the grim reaper waits for all of us."
The Church of St Martin in North Stoke - journeys end for today
Fudge always like to prepare his gear for the next day
Another B&B that was off route and necessitated a 5 mile drive from North Stoke. The B&B was on a working farm and we had a really nice stay here.
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Day 9 Data
|
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage Time Total Ascent |
14.6 miles
110 miles 6hrs 25mins 1630ft (497m) |