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- Oct 9, 2024, 9:21 AM
- ☁️ 12 °C
- Altitude: 117 m
- EnglandSodburyOld Sodbury51°31’56” N 2°21’26” W
Old Sodbury to Cold Ashton Day 8
October 9 in England ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
Tuesday 9th October
As we headed out of Old Sodbury, we did not realise what treats were in store for us this day! We weaved around Old Sodbury taking a few pics of The Dog Inn where we dined last night and then crossed the busy main road to avoid the morning traffic.
After crossing a few fields, we were delighted to come upon the estate of Dodington Park.
There was a very high hedge around this estate and we came across a beautiful gate entrance and a rather large moat. There was a lot of signage saying private keep out so we started to get the feeling that this estate belonged to someone famous or well known.
After research at the pub in Marshfield tonight we found out that it once belonged to Robbie Williams!!
Dodington House and the park are now owned by the Dyson family (yes, the vacuum cleaner people) and our path went directly through this gem of a landscape.
Just out of town we crossed the M4 motorway, one of the major traffic arteries of the UK – a reminder of the busy lives we had left behind 8 days ago as we began this walk. We hurried past the motorway to return to the comforting, tranquil countryside. Our path directed us on a route that passed an attractive working farm, Lower Lapdown Farm.
Around noon, we were surprised when we arrived at Dyrham House not expecting anything as grand as this. We called out to the gardener (one of 500 volunteers) about how to enter as the large iron gate was locked. He kindly told us about a ‘secret’ entry via St Peter’s Church which had a path that lead us directly into the beautiful gardens rather than walk 5miles up a hill to return in the front entrance and pay £20 admission.
We felt lucky to enjoy our packed lunch in the beautiful gardens looking up to this amazing English home. Talk about cheap skates !
Dyrham Park is a baroque English country house in an ancient deer park near the village of Dyrham in South Gloucestershire . The house, with the attached orangery and stable block, is a Grade I listed building in the UK while the park is Grade II* listed on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. This incredible house was built for William Blathwayt in stages during the 17th and early 18th centuries. It contained art works and furniture from around the world due to Williams connections.
After 2-3 hours of viewing the collections of William Blathwayt we decided to get back on the trail and after about 5km and a few hectic crossings of busy roads, we arrived at Cold Ashton. Simon kindly held my hand while crossing these roads as the traffic was fast including a cattle truck. These roses are narrow and there is barely any verge to stand on.
Once arriving at Cold Ashton village we were provided with a lift to Marshfield, to the Catherine Wheel Pub about 2miles away. We were the only walkers staying here. Dinner downstairs at the pub was so delicious. Simo had the pork tenderloins and me the lamb tagine! First time I’ve seen lamb on the menu the whole way which is interesting because we pass by fat lambs almost every day. Pork, fish and beef seem so much more popular in the menu.
For dessert (or pudding) I treated myself to a sticky pudding just so I could try the Marshfield local icecream! The dairy cows here have the creamiest milk that is used to make local icecream. So yummy and creamy.
Looking forward to arriving in Bath tomorrow.Read more
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