The best cycling routes around Honeybourne

If we read the legends of St. Nicholas, he is portrayed as an angel on earth, as a helper in times of need, as a savior in many moments. He is glorified, like many other saints. There are no such people today, or maybe there are? Yes, there are still such people today who do good in secret. They too are today the hidden saviors, the helpers in times of need. I meet such people again and again in my work, (...). Even if they would not call themselves St. Nicholas, they are, like the saint, there for other people. They see the need and alleviate it. So "he" still exists today - we don't need Santa Claus. Thank God! (Text: Michael Inden, Diocesan President of the KAB)

This bridleway just outside Stow-on-the-Wold provides a perfect spot for a scenic forested ride, offering a peaceful escape from the town's usual hustle.

NCN 442, which goes from Long Hanborough to Worcester and NCN 41, which goes from Rugby to the centre of Bristol, intercept here and go along Badsey bridleway to Evesham.

A long selfie stick would be a great idea to capture more of the hills and fields in this spot.

"The tower has a ring of six bells. Abraham I Rudhall of Gloucester cast the second and third bells in 1714. William Taylor of Loughborough cast the fifth and tenor bells in 1846 at the bell foundry he then had in Oxford. Thomas Bond of Burford cast the fourth bell in 1911. The Whitechapel Bell Foundry cast the present tenor bell in 2006. There is also a Sanctus bell that Thomas Bond cast in 1911. In 2001, the Church of England Benefice of Ascott-under-Wychwood, Chadlington and Spelsbury merged with that of Enstone and Heythrop to form the Chase Benefice. The Parsonage was designed by William Wilkinson and built in 1863. It is now Chadlington House." Source: Wikipedia

"The Church of England parish church of Saint Nicholas was originally Norman. It is extremely likely, however, that a church, probably of timber, stood on the site by the late Anglo-Saxon period at the latest. In the 13th century, Early English Gothic north and south aisles were added, with four-bay arcades linking the aisles with the nave. Both aisles still retain some lancet windows from this period. The bell tower was built early in the 14th century in the Decorated Gothic style. A chapel was added at the east end of the north aisle. The chapel's east and north windows in the Transitional style between Decorated and Perpendicular Gothic date it to the chancel about tchancel about the middle of the 14th century. Later pure Perpendicular Gothic additions include the windows and north door in the north aisle, the present clerestory and nave roof and the chancel arch. In 1870, the Gothic Revival architect Charles Buckeridge completely rebuilt the chancel. St. Nicholas' church is a Grade II listed building." Source: Wikipedia

My tip is......Don't start this walk from here. The original route on Komoot showed the start point as being at 'the bus station'. There isn't a bus station and there isn't any parking. This was the best, safest and nearest spot I could find. A small cut in outside the sewage treatment works 😳 I would recommend starting at Dorothy's Wood at the other end of this walk. There is a car park there that asks for donations rather than charging for parking. And it doesn't close until 9pm.

The hall was intended to provide shelter from the elements for merchants and farmers selling goods like cheese, butter, and poultry (not, as you might think, wool). The side walls were open arches to allow light, and customers, access to the market stalls. The floor of the market hall was made of simple cobbles, now worn smooth by the passage of time and thousands of feet. The building is listed Grade I for its historic importance. In the 1940s the hall was threatened with sale to an American, but local people, alarmed at the prospect of their ancient building being sold abroad, raised the money to purchase the property and gave it to the National Trust. The Hall is still regularly used by local traders. Source: https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/glouces/buildings/chipping-campden-market-hall.htm