Woodcote

Just as winter seems to be dragging it’s heels, out pop plucky little snowdrops to lift our spirits and bring us hope. We make the most of them during their short season as our February walks become something of a treasure hunt for these precious pearls. We met in Woodcote during Candlemas week, when traditionally snowdrops, or ‘candlemas bells’, are used to decorate altars during the ‘blessing of the candles’. Within moments of leaving behind Victorian cottages and Edwardian villas, we were in open countryside with misty views ahead towards Didcot. Crossing a set-aside field, it was lovely to hear the song of the skylarks, thriving here on seeds from arable weeds, so often treated with pesticides on farmed land – thought to be one cause of the decline of this special bird. We paused at a gate to take in the scene with sheep grazing peacefully in the field, and below, the striking buildings of Elvendon Priory. We dropped down the field, causing a sheep stampede, and were greeted by swathes of snowdrops, lighting up the bank with their bright white lamps. The second part of our walk contrasted with the openness of the first as we plunged into the woodland of The Great Chalk Wood. We entered a ‘tunnel’ through frosty looking old man’s beard, which soon gave way to merry yellow catkins. With this experience of walking from winter into spring, we could have been forgiven for thinking that we were in Narnia! More woodland at Crays Pond formed the final leg of our walk. As we emerged opposite a converted chapel, (dated 1886), we enjoyed further swathes of snowdrops to end our lovely Candlemas walk

Ecchinswell

There can’t be a better village to visit during the snowdrop season than Ecchinswell. This attractive village was designated a conservation area in 1990 in recognition of the abundance of special architectural and historically interesting buildings in the village – 26 of which are Grade 11 listed. Our walk began by passing three of these in the form of the Victorian School and Schoolhouse, and the old Mill House. Soon, surrounded by countryside, we gazed across to Watership Down. Snowdrops, and the odd primrose, lined our route as we arrived at Nuthanger Farm where Hazel, Fiver and their furry friends were in danger of being fattened up for meat in Richard Adam’s famous tale! We dropped down to enter more inspiring countryside within the Sydmonton Estate, home of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. Fields of fine horses watched us with interest as we approached the immaculate Watership Farm. Then, continuing down a leafy lane, we could hear frantic bleating. Soon the source of this cacophony was revealed as we came across a field of lambs calling to their mums. A sure sign of the approaching spring, but for now we relished in the beauty of the winter snowdrops as they formed a fabulous wide fringe to the final avenue. This was to take us past a pretty thatched cottage which we have watched being refurbished over the years, and on to the end of our inspiring walk.

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