Lifetime of Walks by Derek Harwood

Parked car in National Trust car park at Hidcote Manor Gardens. Site closed to public on Thursdays, so car park almost empty. Welcome cup of tea and cake in the National Trust tea rooms. Again very quiet. Short walk into Hidcote Bartrim Village, along the 'Monarch's Way', past the charming thatched cottages to the fruit farm at the end of the village. Ken bought some plums before we hunted for the public path through Hidcote Gardens to Baker's Hill Lane. Struggled to find the path sign at the location shown on the map. Climbed a small fence and walked through the deserted grounds of the Gardens. As we climbed the fence out of the Gardens into a field I sensed that something was wrong. We studied the signs and realised that the path had recently been re-routed. Studied the map and new Satmap to find the direction of the official path to Baker's Hill Lane. Walked down the single track lane towards Starveall Farm & the route of the Heart of England Way. Stopped for lunch by the farm at 12:40, overlooking the broad Severn Valley. Refreshed, we continued into Baker's Hill Wood to the lane high above the village of Mickleton. Steep descent towards the village, but before reaching the village we doubled back through Kiftsgate Court Park. Very steep ascent up to the entrance of Kiftsgate Court Gardens. Short walk up the lane to Hidcote Manor car park. Another enjoyable and leasurely walk with Ken.

Location:
www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start & Finish: from Hidcote Car Park 417650/242747, - via: Baker's Hill Lunch 416400/242126, - via: Kiftsgate Court Park 416815/243015

Hazards:
Always be aware that the public footpath route may have been re-routed since your map was printed. Study the signs carefully.
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	LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD Derek Harwood's Walking Records If you have any queries about the pictures or descriptions e-mail me at: derek@harwoodonline.com

	HIDCOTE BARTRIM - COTSWOLDS Thursday 17th July 2008 ........................................Walk No. 718
	Other Walks No 56 Total 1187.5 miles Time Taken: 2.75 hrs Distance: Enjoyment: Weather: Dull 11:40 am - 14:20 pm 3 miles 85% Threat of Rain Temp: Cloud: Rain: Visibility: Ground Conditions: Wild Life: Birds 15^oC 100% None Average Muddy in Places Sheep Total AA: Total MH: Total LD: Total AW: Other: Total Distance: 1027.5 mls 931.5 mls 1903 mls 162 mls 1187.5 mls 5219.5 miles Companions: (Derek) Ken Powers Points of Interest and LINKS: Hidcote Manor Gardens Hidcote Bartrim Village Cotswolds Baker's Hill Cottage Kiftsgate Court Gardens Mickleton Village Description: Parked car in National Trust car park at Hidcote Manor Gardens. Site closed to public on Thursdays, so car park almost empty. Welcome cup of tea and cake in the National Trust tea rooms. Again very quiet. Short walk into Hidcote Bartrim Village, along the 'Monarch's Way', past the charming thatched cottages to the fruit farm at the end of the village. Ken bought some plums before we hunted for the public path through Hidcote Gardens to Baker's Hill Lane. Struggled to find the path sign at the location shown on the map. Climbed a small fence and walked through the deserted grounds of the Gardens. As we climbed the fence out of the Gardens into a field I sensed that something was wrong. We studied the signs and realised that the path had recently been re-routed. Studied the map and new Satmap to find the direction of the official path to Baker's Hill Lane. Walked down the single track lane towards Starveall Farm & the route of the Heart of England Way. Stopped for lunch by the farm at 12:40, overlooking the broad Severn Valley. Refreshed, we continued into Baker's Hill Wood to the lane high above the village of Mickleton. Steep descent towards the village, but before reaching the village we doubled back through Kiftsgate Court Park. Very steep ascent up to the entrance of Kiftsgate Court Gardens. Short walk up the lane to Hidcote Manor car park. Another enjoyable and leasurely walk with Ken. Location: www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start & Finish: from Hidcote Car Park 417650/242747, - via: Baker's Hill Lunch 416400/242126, - via: Kiftsgate Court Park 416815/243015 Hazards: Always be aware that the public footpath route may have been re-routed since your map was printed. Study the signs carefully. Click Here to Return to 'Lifetime of Walks' Homepage

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Derek Harwood: Copyright 2009 Devised: February 2009

LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD