Lashford Lane Fen Nature Reserve, Dry Sandford, Oxfordshire

Approx time: 45 mins
Paths: mud, board walks
Points of interest: trees, wildlife, reed beds, streams, cows
Amenities: small car park
Grading: wet and boggy, only suitable for walkers or a baby carrier
Weather: all seasons

On our walk today we saw two woodpeckers and a pheasant, and that's with a noisy 4 year old signing we're going on a bear hunt most of the time. Did get a quiet moment when we listened out for the woodpecker and followed the sound.

Lashford Lane fen is very boggy and wet, with steams running through it. There are 2 circular walks you can do, shorter 30min wildlife walk or the permissive footpath of about 45mins.

 I think in autumn time they allow cattle on the land for grazing. Charlotte loves going from one bridge to another, and walking on the board walks.

We also peek under the pieces of corrugated iron found near the start of the walk to look for grass snakes (not seen one yet).
http://www.bbowt.org.uk/content.asp?did=23593

White Horse Hill to Wayland Smithy, Uffington, Oxfordshire

Approx time: 2 hour
Paths: gravel
Points of interest: trees, fields, wildlife, tomb, white horse
Amenities: pay and display parking (ice cream van most weekends)
Grading: bumpy underfoot so all terrain buggy
Weather: all seasons

(click map for larger size)

This was a long walk, and at just 4 I'm surprised Charlotte's little legs kept her going but I think the promise of an ice cream at the end worked its magic. It was mostly flat as we were walking away from the white horse hill and  along an open bridleway meant it was quite accessible to everyone. The path is a lot better than some years ago as vehicles are now prohibited on the ridgeway.

There is one kissing gate on the entrance to Wayland Smithy that pushchairs might struggle with.
We parked at the National Trust white horse hill car park and walked back to the road and continued up the road until you come to the bridleway. Turn right onto the bridleway and follow the path for about 1km until you reach Wayland Smithy.

We followed the same route home. The car park has picnic tables where you can sit and enjoy the lovely view across Uffington and the Vale of the White Horse.