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| Walk 1 From the Village Green to All Saints Pastoral Centre |
MAP |
Starting from the village green at the southern end of the High Street, from the front of the Green Dragon public house, (point A on map) follow the marked footpath over the concrete footbridge. Turn right at the waymark post along the bridlepath known as Watery Lane. Cross the small footbridge over the brook and bear right. At the way mark post continue straight on along the bridlepath. As you pass the lake on your right hand side look out for great crested grebe, moorhens and mallards. If you wish to follow the footpath which runs parallel with the bridlepath, bear left, (don't turn left), at the junction, through the trees to the stile, then across the field.
For the Shorter Route: Where the path forks bear left (point B on map), go through the gate into the driveway and thence to the road known as Shenley Lane. Cross Shenley Lane. Turn left at the entrance to the driveway and pass through the kissing gate into the wooded path. Continue through the next kissing gate into the field, and straight on through a final kissing gate into the driveway to the Pastoral Centre. Turn left into the driveway, and cross back over Shenley Lane.
For the Longer route: Where the path forks bear right, (point B on map) continue to the road known as Shenley Lane, cross the road into the bushes by the footpath sign. Pass through the kissing gate, follow the path between the field and the river, thence through a wooded area and a newly planted wood, then a kissing gate into a field (point C). Continue straight across the field to a large metal gate, go through this gate, ignoring the kissing gate at the side, as this leads into the ditch. Turn left across the next field. (point D). Walk straight on to meet Shenley Lane just to the right of the lodge house. Cross back over Shenley Lane.
Both Routes: Turn right and walk along the pavement for about 75 metres to the footpath sign next to the bus stop. Climb over the stile and bear right down the slope between the fence and the ditch. At the end of the fence near the motorway climb over the stile into the field. Walk between the two fences near the motorway. At the end of the fence on the left turn left over the stile. Walk along the fence line to an old stile, bear right here, (point E) following the direction shown by the yellow arrow on the waymark post. The next waymark is visible on two posts isolated in the middle of the field. Walk on past this, taking your bearing from the waymark arrow, to the gate in the hedge. Climb over the stile at the side of the gate and turn left along the bridleway known as Blind Lane. At the end of Blind Lane turn right and then bear right again where the path forks after another 20 metres. Turn left over the wooden footbridge, finally cross the concrete footbridge back to the village green.
Points of interest:
The Green Dragon Public House Early seventeenth century, built as an inn. Originally probably one of a pair of inns, as the tradition was for the gentry to stay at one inn while their servants resided at the twinned establishment. A hostelry known as the Bricklayers Arms is recorded as having been damaged by a fire in the stables at the Dragon in 1790, so in all probability this was the twin.
All Saints Pastoral Centre The centre was begun in 1899 as an Anglican convent. The large and imposing chapel was begun in 1927 by Sir Ninian Comper and finished in 1964 by his son Sebastian Camper, following original designs. The red brick garden wall which can be viewed from the longer route behind the Pastoral Centre is late 18th or early 19th century. The cottage, attached to the wall dates from around 1900 and is probably by Leonard Stokes. The building known as the Voluntary Missionary Movement, recognisable by the long row of white framed windows, and small tower with weather vane can best be seen from the shorter route. It was built as a training centre by Sir Ninian Camper in 1927. |
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