The best walks and hikes around Didcot

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Little Wittenham has a very pretty church. It is surprising to find that it is not terribly ancient, for it was almost entirely rebuilt in 1862. The original building was built for the monks of Abingdon Abbey who held a monastic grange next door. The 14th century tower is original, as is its 'Ace of Spades' window - a reminder that this playing card paid for its erection when it brought a huge win to a local merchant! This may be a variant on the old story which suggests that the last of the Dunch family at the manor gambled away his home to King James II. The Dunches once had a family chapel on the south side of the chancel. Their fine monuments are now squeezed into the space under the tower. The great treasure of the church is the large monument to Sir William Dunch (1612) and his wife, Mary, the aunt of Oliver Cromwell. The Tudor brasses surrounding it include the first William Dunch (1597). There is a good collection of earlier brasses in the chancel: Geoffrey Kidwelly (1483) has an altar-style monument. His wife (1472) is on the floor with other members of this Lancastrian family from Wales who entered into the service of King Henry VI.

Day's Lock is a lock on the River Thames near Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England on the Dorchester side of the river. The pound lock was built in 1789 by the Thames Navigation Commissioner. The lock is across the river from the small village of Little Wittenham and is overlooked from the south by the hills of Wittenham Clumps, with a particularly good view from Round Hill. The weir runs straight across the river from the other side of the lock island. Day's Lock is the main gauging station for the measurement of the water flow in the River Thames.

Nothing too demanding here. just amazing peaceful views.

As up the hill with labr'ing steps we tread Where the twin Clumps their sheltering branches spread The summit gain'd at ease reclining lay And all around the wide spread scene survey Point out each object and instructive tell The various changes that the land befell Where the low bank the country wide surrounds That ancient earthwork form'd old Mercia's bounds In misty distance see the barrow heave There lies forgotten lonely Cwichelm's grave. Around this hill the ruthless Danes intrenched And these fair plains with gory slaughter drench'd While at our feet where stands that stately tower In days gone by up rose the Roman power And yonder, there where Thames smooth waters glide In later days appeared monastic pride. Within that field where lies the grazing herd Huge walls were found, some coffins disinter'd Such is the course of time, the wreck which fate And awful doom award the earthly great.

The Poem Tree was a beech tree with a poem carved into it by Joseph Tubb, located on Castle Hill at Wittenham Clumps in Oxfordshire, England. The tree was believed to be around 300 years old, with Tubb's poem being carved in the 1840s.The tree died in the 1990s and rotted completely while standing, before collapsing during a period of inclement weather in July 2012. Tubb carved the 20-line poem into the tree over two weeks in the summer. Taking a ladder and a tent with him, but regularly forgetting to bring the original copy of the poem, he carved it from memory.Sources vary as to whether the carving took place in 1844 or between 1844 and 1845.

One of the earliest Christian sites in Britain, Dorchester Abbey stands on the site of a 7th century Saxon cathedral. The Abbey is open 365 days a year, 8am to 6pm (summer) or 8am to dusk (winter) and entry is free. Dorchester Abbey is not only one of the finest monastic buildings in Oxfordshire, with a history going back to AD 635, but is also the parish church of the village of Dorchester. The large church is all that remains of an Augustinian abbey, which was founded in 1140. It is a place of great calm and beauty which has touched the hearts of many people, whether they come to worship, attend concerts or simply to look around. Whether you come as pilgrim or visitor of any faith or none, you are welcomed to the Abbey and to the last remaining monastic building, the Guest House, home of the famous tea room and museum.

Nice little lung opener first thing in morning. Entry to wooded area was permitted, has a few dens inside and plenty of benches externally, views to take in are beautiful. on a clear day can see for miles