Pete's Walks - Kensworth and everywhere (part 3)
Valley Road, Studham
At the end of Church Road I turned right, and followed Valley Road downhill, passing the last few houses on this edge of Studham. At the bottom of the valley I turned left onto another field path, following a hedge on my left with a stubble field sloping up on my right.
The path from Valley Road to Studham Common
I passed Studham school on the left and reached Studham Common, where I soon turned onto a path going half-right through the bushes and trees of this part of the common.
The start of Studham Common, near the school
Path through the first section of Studham Common. The common is divided into three sections by two minor roads. This first (most westerly) section is covered in bushes and trees, but the other two sections are now almost entirely grass, as they were dug up and used for agriculture during World War II.
I crossed a road and continued along the top of the second part of the common (like the third section, this was all grass as it had been used for agriculture during the second world war).
The second part of Studham Common
I stopped for lunch on a bench along here, admiring the view towards Dedmansey Wood which I would be walking alongside later on. Having finished my sarnies I carried on, crossing a second road and continuing along the top of the third part of Studham Common.
Notice board at the small car park on Studham common
The third section of Studham Common
View from Studham Common towards Dedmansey Wood, which I would be walking beside later on.
Studham from Studham Common
In the far corner, I turned right along the left edge of a large field, soon with Great Bradwin's wood on my left. I soon turned into the wood, at first following a narrow path then continuing on a broad track after reaching a junction of several tracks and paths. After a while there was a pond in the trees on my right, and I spotted a red dragonfly. It settled on the track in front of me and allowed me to photograph it - I later managed to have it identified as a male Common Darter.
The path from Studham Common, leading to Great Bradwin's Wood
The path through Great Bradwin's Wood
Track continuing through Great Bradwin's Wood
A bit later I passed the yard of Beechwood Home Farm and some cottages. As on previous occasions, I saw some Guinea Fowl around here. I turned left at a track crossroads, and followed a pleasant and well-surfaced track that descended into a valley, with a wood on my left, and rose gently up the other side to reach the end of Roe End Lane.
Start of the track near Beechwood Home Farm
The track from Beechwood Home Farm to Roe End
The track approaching Roe End
A bridleway (that I use on some of my walks) went left here, but I turned right and followed the lane past a few houses and a farm.
Roe End Lane