The roof of Wiltshire

We took our time over breakfast as we waited for the promised sunny weather to eventuate before heading to the South Wessex downs.  After climbing a short distance from the car park, we reached Win Green and the clump of beech trees which marks  the roof of Wiltshire

Continuing on, we enjoyed 360 degree views across wide swathes of chalk downs. We passed Ferne Park being the third Ferne Park House, bought in 2001 by the fourth  Viscount Rothermere and built at a cost of 40 million pounds. The tree lined avenue in front of the house was most impressive.

We followed the Oxdrove path along the ridge and through the Rushmore Estate. As the track descended, we stopped for lunch in a field with views to King John House, now available for short term accommodation at the edge of the pretty village of Tollard Royal.

After passing through the village we headed up a slight incline and emerged onto Ashcombe Estate, now owned by Guy Ritchie and purchased whilst he was married to Madonna. As we made the final ascent we could see the manor house nestled in a secluded green valley though the higher ridges were marred by ash trees suffering from dieback.

After a brief stop back at the house for a cup of tea we walked the short distance into town.  Sturminster Newton was once the home of one of the largest cattle markets in England and had retained had a good range of shops and cafes.   

It was about a 20 minute walk up to the White Horse Inn at Hinton St Mary for a pre-dinner drink.  We could see both Win Green and Hambledon Hill in the distance, giving context to our recent walks.  We passed another of Ron’s favourite cricket pitches, and wondered about the viability of a Wessex tour of Ron’s favourite pitches.  

Despite concerns that Ron had left the curry cooking on the stove, fortunately he had remembered to turn it off and the potato and chick pea curry was delicious.  Even better was Bryony’s specially made Bakewell tart with its nicely browned top.

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