We love a walk through the landscape, a chance to connect with what we do and enjoy feeling uplifted by time in nature. Earlier this month, we gathered together for a team walk in Wiltshire.
Starting our adventure in a picture-perfect village on the edge of a grand country estate, we set out walking past beautiful thatched cottages and a traditional, ivy-clad country inn that looked and felt as much a part of the landscape as the lush trees and the rolling hills. Our Foot Trail soon took us off the quiet lanes and into the carefully landscaped grounds of the country estate. The peace and serenity of the countryside was almost immediate. The lush green of our surroundings transporting us away from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives to a slower, more relaxing pace.
As we made our way over the fields, however, the clouds started to gather, painting a mosaic of grey, blue and white above our heads. Then, just as we approached the far end of the estate’s cool, dark lake, the rains came. Quickly, we zipped up our waterproof jackets and pulled up our hoods, the only witness to our actions a lone swan, floating serenely on the water, itself seemingly oblivious to the rain.
The shower soon passed, and we continued on our way, following the trail upwards through woodland to emerge into fields of pale swaying grass. From here, our trail card took us on to fields of golden wheat, no doubt to be harvested as soon as the weather allows. Turning a corner through a gap in the hedge, we were delighted by sweeping views across the chalk downs, a magnificent vista that seemed to appear from nowhere and stretch on forever. We paused for a while to take in the view before moving on through the crops. Between the stalks of wheat, bright thistle and poppies burst through, well visited by bumble bees, carrying out a busy harvest of their own.
Slowly but surely, the sun started to edge out the clouds, sweeping away the grey to reveal bright blue sky high above. Our trail then took us downhill over deep green fields to the valley below, the sky brightening with each step we took. Soon we emerged at a small collection of mediaeval farm buildings still standing strong and in full use as an artists’ space and cafe. Faced with the sheer age of the structures in these serene surroundings, we couldn’t help but marvel at the skills of the builders who constructed them so many centuries ago. What would they think now to see them still standing and fulfilling such varied roles in our modern world?
Leaving the ancient buildings behind us, we moved on to the neighbouring village. Past traditional stone cottages and gardens bursting with flowers, stopping occasionally to taste some of the many blackberries and raspberries in the bushes along the way. On we walked until we left the winding lanes and headed into a quiet river valley. The now bright sunlight dappled through green leaves and we were surrounded by the sound of water, dancing tributaries feeding into a crystal clear river, fish darting away from our prying eyes. Then, once again, we emerge into fields of wheat. With the wind now gone, we paused to listen to the buzzing bees and chirping crickets. Warmed by the sun, we made our way back to our start point, stopping for a welcome rest at a country inn, its gentle garden beckoning us to stay a while. To our delight, they were serving home-made, non-alcoholic ginger beer. Its wonderfully spicy, sweet and cooling taste proving to be the perfect pick-me-up after our Wiltshire adventure through field, farmland and country estate.
David, Deborah, Alistair and Emma from the Foot Trails team were walking part of our Folly of Fonthill trail.
