Pete's Walks - Studham Common and Roe End (page 2 of 2)
I turned right along Roe End Lane. After a few hundred yards, the surfaced lane finished (it continues as the byway I'd been on earlier) and I turned left along a long track leading to Beechwood Home Farm (Beechwood Farm on the OS map). The track dropped gently into a small valley (I spotted a Buzzard here, as I've done several times before), then continued up the other side, now with a wood on my right. On eventually reaching a track crossroads I turned right, to pass the buildings of Beechwood Home Farm on my right - I spotted a Red Kite circling low over the farmyard.
Roe End Lane
The drive from Roe End to Beechwood Home Farm
The drive from Roe End to Beechwood Home Farm
The drive from Roe End to Beechwood Home Farm
The track passing Beechwood Home Farm
Shortly after the farmyard the track led into Gravelpit Wood. I soon passed a pond on my left, where I spotted a dragonfly (I think it was a Migrant Hawker, as it seemed too late in the year for a Southern Hawker). On reaching a junction where the track went left, I continued ahead on a footpath through Great Bradwin's Wood.
The track continuing through Gravelpit Wood
Gravelpit Wood
Gravelpit Wood
Great Bradwin's Wood
Great Bradwin's Wood
On the far side of Great Bradwin's Wood I turned right, soon going through a gap in a field corner to return to Studham Common. I turned left, and retraced my earlier steps back to the car park.
The path from Great Bradwin's Wood to Studham Common (just beyond the crossing hedgerow)
Looking towards Studham from the southeast corner of Studham Common
Retracing my steps along the top of Studham Common to the car park
It had been a grey but mild afternoon, a little muddy underfoot, but nevertheless it had been nice to see some trees in their glorious Autumn colours. I was just grateful to be able to go out for a short walk without shooting pains in my leg. I have done this walk a couple of times before (and all the paths are used on many of my other walks) and I think it makes a pleasant five-mile circuit.