Leg 8: Northleach to Chedworth Roman Villa

 Steven (almost a regular himself) and Katharine joined the regulars, Deborah, Alison, Rod, Di and Lily the dog to walk from Northleach to Chedworth Roman Villa. Unusually, we started off in rain.


We left the Old Prison and walked across fields to the pretty village of Hampnett. Here we visited the Church of St George, 



where in Victorian times the vicar decorated the church in a medieval style.


Leaving the church, we walked through fields of sheep, who eyed us warily, one of them stamping  its forelegs to warn us (or possibly Lily) to stay away. 



Walking further along bridleways with lovely views, we eventually reached a complicated stile, which we all tackled in our own individual ways.


We strode on through field and wold


until we reached our lunch spot, close to the entrance to the Stowell Park Estate, owned by the Vestey family once the second richest family in Britain after the King, which encompasses much of the surrounding area including the lovely nearby village of Yanworth.

Suitably refreshed, we set off down the long hill to the valley below, along which the river Colne meanders


Passing through an interesting gate 


we eventually arrived at Yanworth Mill, before taking a path through the forest alongside the river - which provided a refreshing bathing spot for Lily


This path took us to our destination, Chedworth Roman Villa, where we enjoyed the National Trust Cafe's tea and cakes.

Whilst some went to collect the cars from Northleach, others took a tour of the Roman Villa which has some well preserved mosaic floors


and, we found out later, a pawprint of a Roman ancestor of Lily.


Blog written by Deborah. 

We are walking in aid of Grassroots Suicide Prevention

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/28-30MonarchsWaywalk2022





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