Banburyshire Rambles Photo-Journal

Coming out from the town this is a good place for a long lunch – with its views up and down the valley. Perched above the old crossroads, from where interesting walks into the valleys and over the hills fan out in every direction, this locally rather remote spot is a lovely place to take a break.

Over time the barn walls have become a little more tumble-down; and the immobile farm implements rust a little bit more. The scene has changed a lot over 40 years though, as the mainly pasture-land has slowly succumbed to the plough and arable crops outdoors; and large industrial barns have sprung up to house the animals which once free-roamed inside for most of the year.

The last time I heard a curlew locally was here, quite possibly blown-in from The Wash up the Nene or the Ouse; over-wintering in what were the wet pastures of the valley bottom, before they were drained and ploughed.

What has not changed over that time is the relative peace and seclusion of this place; you can remove yourself from the bustle of the local main routes here.