The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Chadlington

No one really knows how it was named - possibly it resembles a hawk (?) or it is derived from the old English word 'hoare' meaning old or ancient, but it is all guesswork. Local legend has it that witches were chained to the holes in the top and burned to death but there is no evidence of this. Do not put coins in the natural pitts in the stone it increases erosion and damages the stone.

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

Blooms between August and September

Blooms between August and September

The pretty hamlet of Dean in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds is a great place from which to explore the surrounding countryside, once the site of the Royal Wychwood Forest. There's plenty to interest history buffs. The Hawk Stone, a Neolithic standing stone, is half a mile (800 m) to the north, whilst in the centre of the hamlet is a Medieval preaching cross There is some delightful walking in the woodland to the east of the hamlet.

St Nicholas Church has been at the centre of village life for almost a thousand years. The quaint church is a peaceful place to stop during a bike tour. You can read more about village life and the church here: http://www.chadlington.com/community/parishchurch