Walk near the A4074, 5.67 miles

24 February

Decided to explore country roads around the exposed Chilterns section of the A4074 between Wallingford and Woodcote. Took the handy X39/X40 bus to the relatively isolated Braziers Park Turn and walked down the little road opposite towards Braziers Park.

The northbound bus stop at Braziers Park Turn

Distant view of the house at Braziers Park

Had a look at what I could see of the house. Since the 1950s Braziers Park seems to have hosted some sort of commune (the School of Integrative Social Research). Its homepage states that it’s “a continuing experiment in the advantages and problems of living in a group”. According to Wikipedia, Marianne Faithfull lived there for a while (her dad was a member of the community) and had Mick Jagger to stay over. Currently it apparently has a smallish permanent residential community and at any one time a number of volunteers who stay for up to three months and work for their board and lodging. See their page on living and working in the community. It sounds rather intriguing, though difficult not to be amused by the reference to their regular "sensory meetings" at which they "‘contemplate’ any issues on the contemplanda".

Turned north from Braziers Park and headed up towards Ipsden village. At the crossroads by Cross Farm, turned left along a straight stretch of road (Church Lane) leading back to the A4074. Noticed that the right turn at this crossroads is signposted to Well Place. I had vague recollections of there being a Wellplace Zoo – indeed there was, though I never went to it (it closed in 2006).

The crossroads

On returning to the A4074, crossed and headed down White House Road via Newtown to the Thames-side village of North Stoke. Noted from the map that the stretch of the A-road here is called Port Way.

Looking north; the turn to North Stoke

Village hall, North Stoke

From North Stoke, walked north along a portion of the Ridgeway to the village of Mongewell. The buildings of the former Carmel College, a boarding school that closed in the 1990s, still seem to be lying derelict around Mongewell, giving it a bit of an odd air - e.g. this building seen through trees.

From Mongewell, continued along footpaths to Wallingford, coming out by the bridge. Ate the sandwiches I'd brought sitting by the river. Pleasant walk.

Lunch by the Thames

Route shown in red: the finish point in Wallingford at the top.