The best MTB trails around Fawler

Nice village below famous and famously busy Diddly Squat.

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)

"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

May bluebells in abundance

A must-stop for all 'Clarkson's Farm' fans. Small farm shop, just like seen on TV. Very busy with tourists, expect to get in line to enter the store. Watch out for the (many) cars, drivers are not always paying attention to cyclists when entering and exiting the car park. Watch out.

Farm shop and cafe from the Amazon Prime TV programme Clarksons Farm.

Good cafe in village. Watch out for Diddly Squat traffic.