Arnhill Park

Downs, Moorland in Berkshire Vale of White Horse

England

Arnhill Park

Appletons, off Elder Way The same place as my picture <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6141178">SU4188 : Building Site east of Wantage</a> from two years ago.
Quite a difference. The streets have names and there are people living here.
And the useful hedge is still there. — Appletons, off Elder Way Credit: Des Blenkinsopp

Arnhill Park is a picturesque natural reserve located in Berkshire, England. Spanning over a vast area, the park encompasses both downs and moorland, offering visitors a diverse and captivating landscape to explore.

The downs of Arnhill Park are characterized by rolling hills covered in lush green grass, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The area is renowned for its tranquil atmosphere, making it a popular destination for those seeking peace and solitude. Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks along the well-maintained paths that wind through the downs, immersing themselves in the beauty of nature.

In contrast, the moorland section of the park offers a unique and wilder experience. Here, visitors can witness the striking beauty of open heather-covered expanses, interspersed with patches of gorse and bracken. The moorland is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, providing ample opportunities for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers to observe and capture the beauty of these natural habitats.

Arnhill Park is not only a haven for nature lovers but also offers a range of recreational activities. The park features designated picnic areas, where families and friends can enjoy a day out surrounded by the beauty of the landscape. Additionally, the park offers trails for horse riding and cycling, allowing visitors to explore the area in a more adventurous manner.

Overall, Arnhill Park is a haven of natural beauty, offering a perfect blend of downs and moorland. Its serene atmosphere, diverse wildlife, and range of recreational activities make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

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Arnhill Park Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.580398/-1.3909662 or Grid Reference SU4287. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Appletons, off Elder Way

The same place as my picture SU4188 : Building Site east of Wantage from two years ago. Quite a difference. The streets have names and there are people living here. And the useful hedge is still there.

Des Blenkinsopp

Corner of Primrose Avenue

Part of a large new housing development to the east of Wantage. What the board on the corner refers to as "A new community nestled within rolling countryside." Well....whatever....

Des Blenkinsopp

Welcome to Downland

More of the large new housing development to the east of Wantage.

Des Blenkinsopp

New Bus Terminus, Kingsgrove

Where one day soon people will wait for the bus. Just now it's the buses that are waiting for the people. The shelter and turnaround have been completed but there aren't any houses yet.

Des Blenkinsopp

Bridleway heading to Ardington

Bridleway between the fields heading to Ardington

Shaun Ferguson

Bridleway to Ardington

Bridleway to Ardington nearing the byway to head on past the tree covered Roundabout Hill

Shaun Ferguson

Chainhill Road heading to Wantage

Steve Daniels

The road to West Lockinge

Basher Eyre

Walking the dog at East Lockinge

Basher Eyre

Holy Trinity church, Ardington: churchyard (a)

Basher Eyre

Holy Trinity church, Ardington: churchyard (b)

The CWGC grave nearest to me is Private James Alder Link

and the one further up that of Private Hector Cooper Link

Basher Eyre

Farmland, Lockinge

Andrew Smith

Farmland, Lockinge

Looking like a silage crop on the hillside rising from the byway to Wantage.

Andrew Smith

South front of Ardington House

The veranda of four timber columns on the garden side is a later edition to the early Georgian frontage. The pediment over the central three bays displays the arms of the Vernon family who owned the house in the early 19th century.

Tiger

Imperial staircase in Ardington House

As Richard Lethbridge notes in his New Shell Guide of 1988, all the rooms within Ardington House are quite small and intimate apart from the hall, which extends through the whole width of the building and is dominated by this grand staircase beginning as two parallel arms and returning as a single suspended flight, with thin twisted balusters and no visible support. This notable feature, designed by Thomas Strong, is thought to have been influenced by Sir John Vanbrugh’s similar creation at King’s Weston in Bristol ST5477, completed a few years earlier.

Tiger

North front of Ardington House

The twin mounted cannonballs flanking the front door are relics of Lord Wantage's service in the Crimean War, having been fired by the Russian frigate Vladimir at the Battle of Inkerman on 5th November 1854. The kitchen pavilion on the west (right) side was designed in a mock Baroque style in 1961 by Hugh Vaux, and according to the listing citation is "not of special architectural interest".

Tiger

Gazebo at Ardington House

Its domed roof supported on six stone pillars, this gazebo stands on a wooded island in the Ardington Brook and can be reached by a wooden footbridge.

Tiger