Woodstock to Wooton - on foot

Spring has come early, and my inconquerable friend Lizzy decided we should celebrate by mustering a small troup of walkers - to go tramping across the countryside. We started in pretty Woodstock, famous for two births: Edward 'The Black Prince' in the 14th century and, rather later, Winston Churchill, whose ancestors were the Dukes of Marlborough, who still live in Blenheim Palace.

Ordnance survey maps firmly in hand, we made our way down pathways, through fields of canola (which the english quaintly persist in calling rapeseed) and down right-of-way trails, which cut through private lands but, if they're traditional thoroughfares, the owners have to maintain them for the general public's access.

My fabulous geek-pal Dan turned out to be a fountain of random knowledge, spotting aglow-worm beside the trail (and showing us how to determine its sex! It was female...), then dating a farmhouse to the late 15th century by the shape of its windows.

My favourite vista though, was this wee warning sign...

We returned to Woodstock for lunch in a rather gorgeous little 'gastro-pub' called The Black Prince, and left some hours later with happy tastebuds. Must do this again some time...