Some Old Houses and a King's Escape Route near Essington

Finally, after days of rain, the sun shone (well, between showers). I set off to Essington, NE of Wolverhampton.

The field path above led to this lovely pool. I read that most ponds round Essington date from old coal workings, but I wondered if this was actually a medieval fishpond, as it was near Manor Farm.

This old house is Pool Farm, again making me think the pool was older than the end of mining in the area

Next to it is Pool Cottage 

A bit early into my walk, but I called into Essington Fruit Farm's cafe for a snack! Great place: I recommend it!

Back on the road, the telecom mast was huge against the bright blue sky

I passed some more old buildings, loving the roof line of the stable.

In the next field, the remains of an old windmill. (With a couple of buzzards flying nearby)

Bognop Road. Such a strange name!

I soon arrived at Moseley Old Hall. In 1651 it was a hiding place for King Charles II, when he fled after the Battle of Worcester

It's closed for the winter, but I'll return when it's open.

The National Trust have replanted the old knot garden: it looks great. 

From the Old Hall, I followed the Monarch's Way, a long distance footpath which retraces King Charles's route. These are the gates to Moseley Hall (not to be confused with Moseley Old Hall)

The way passes through Northycote Country Park

Another rain shower on the way!

This is Northycote Farm (from the back). It is said to have refused to shelter King Charles II, but given it's only half a mile away from Moseley Old Hall, I can't think the fleeing King would have wanted a stop there!

It's an interesting-looking building anyway!

Hazel catkins  - an early sign of spring. Too early, maybe?

The Monarch's Way continued through the country park and on though nearby countryside

Curious horses watched my progress. 

 ...as did a buzzard - though he may have been more interested in other prey!

The way stretched on ahead as the sun began to lower in the sky

There was a great view over to the Black Country to my right

...and to my left, great empty fields. I do love to see sandy soil like that.

Back at the lake near the start of my walk, you can see it had been raining!

 The sun was dipping in the sky, as I walked though the final field of my walk, leaving the next bit of the Monarch's Way for another day.

The route was about 6 miles, full of interest. I would recommend it. Possibly better to take a whole day and visit the Old Hall on the way round.

If you're interested in the Monarch's Way, these are the signs to look out for.  

And these posts which occur at various places explain more. I am slowly walking the Monarch's Way, though I haven't reached this bit yet as part of the overall walk. You can follow my progress on this blog.

Today's walk: 6.5 miles. I parked on Blackhalve Lane, near the disused railway line, and followed the Monarch's Way to the road, and right to Essington Fruit Farm. I then followed the minor roads to Moseley Old Hall, and the Monarch's Way back to my starting point. 

One canal, two deserted villages - and only a bit of rain

Sometimes, lumps in a field are nothing more than lumps. But these regular "stripes" are the remains of an old farming system. And on this excellent walk, we also found the remains of two deserted medieval villages....

Our New Year's Day walk began with 5 miles along the Oxfordshire Canal, starting at the appropriately named Wharf Inn, Fenny Compton. (Good reviews on Tripadvisor - reasonable prices)

The canal was a strange milky coffee colour, owing to the recent days of rain.

The weather was dull, but at least it wasn't raining. The towpath was squishy most of the way

After about a mile, we passed the lumps and bumps which were once the village of Wormleighton, abandoned to make room for more sheep farming. We would be coming back this way for a closer look.

Some of the bridges need a bit of care and attention.

Very few people out today - we saw three boats moving, and no walkers at all. 

This bridge is called Wedding Bridge 2009. Must be a story?

Mossy tree roots

The canal is very lonely, and very winding. It was built to follow the contours: this part makes a big loop round the hilly land on the right of this picture. (There's some ridge and furrow if you look closely)

The sun made a brief appearance, reflecting extra light into the water: but only  for about 5 minutes.

The mild winter has led the alder leaves to start opening

Underfoot, large patches of crab apples - the local wildlife must have had other, better food sources.

Another lonely bridge: this one was the end of the canal section: it's about 5 miles from the start, and passes no villages just open rolling countryside 

We crossed the bridge, looking at the excellent example of ridge and furrow - the "corduroy" effect! 

This beautiful house is Stoneton Manor, with a  moat...

...crossed by this lovely old brick bridge

More of the moat,...

...and still more

This straight line of trees led to the house from the road - maybe once an avenue?

These lumps are the ancient village of Stoneton, another deserted medieval village (DMV)

Our route then led us to Wormleighton, and these stone houses

Even the bus shelter, dwarfed by the conifer, was stonebuilt.

The few remaining houses in Wormleighton are stunning. 

This Tudor gatehouse was once part of a manor which was burnt down in the Civil War. It belonged to the Spencer family, who then moved to Althrop and took some of the stone with them.

This is all that was left of the old manor house, and has been much altered. Nice coat of arms.

St Peter's Church 

These wornout faces are called grotesques (not gargoyles, which are waterspouts)

 Misty view back down towards the canal

The muddy track back to the canal

...passing through the old Wormleighton DMV.

The sheep give some idea of the size of the lumps: This, I think was the main road

The amazingly ugly Texel sheep - with a distinct look of pig about them!
From here we walked along the canal to the start

This was a really lovely walk - great countryside, and fantastic architecture. It would be even lovelier in the spring/summer. I can highly recommend it. 
Today's walk: About 9 miles. Park at the Wharf Inn, just outside Fenny Compton, following the canal for 5 miles. At Bridge 126, cross the canal and follow the path up to Stoneton Manor. Just before the manor, a path will take you straight to Wormleighton, but you need to go to the road if you want to see the Stoneton DMV. (We actually walked by minor road to Wormleighton, as the path was too waterlogged). However you get there, walk into Wormleighton (there's only the one road). Fork left just after the church, and follow the path down to the canal, passing the DMV on your left, and heading to a stile in the far corner of the large field. Then walk back along the canal to your start point. Easy walking, but quite a long way. Can get muddy, so be prepared. Navigation is very easy.