Tysoe Windmill Walk

Tysoe Windmill Walk

I’m not one of those bloggers who pretends to have a perfect life. In fact, quite often things don’t go to plan; take our little jaunt out towards Banbury a couple of weeks ago.

Unusually, we both had some spare time, so decided to head a bit further afield than usual. We headed to a village near Banbury called Upper Tysoe. This is mainly because I found some easy walking routes on OS Maps  in that area, also there looked like there were some interesting features to look at (I have to keep my photographer happy!)

From the off things went wrong. Firstly, after researching said walking routes, I forgot to download them.  Then, even more seriously, I broke Luke’s camera. It was one of those stupid things that I wish I could take back, but I can’t and it’s going to cost me! I pulled Finn’s snowsuit from the boot and, unknown to me, the camera was on top. As I saw that black shape bouncing down the road, I felt my stomach lurch. Luckily, I’m sure it can be fixed as it is the movable screen that I’ve damaged. Needless to say, I’ve offered to pay and I will sort it out when I have time. In the meantime we have my camera so it’s not completely hopeless.

Anyway, on to the walk. I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know that it actually turned out fine. I have a very good memory for directions and I could remember the main points of interest that I’d researched. Also, the footpaths were fairly easy to navigate. That’s not to say we didn’t get a little bit lost, well not lost as I knew where we were, I just wasn’t entirely sure how to get where we wanted to go!

We left the village and headed towards Tysoe windmill (always handy to have a big waypoint on top of a hill). The views from here over the countryside and down towards the Tudor manor at Compton Wynates were beautiful. I was using this walk to test out my new flask, so we stopped for a drink and a breather.

A woman in a blue coat sands in front of a windmill

Me in front of the windmill

A man carries a toddler in a carrier on his back, they are on a hill looking over the countryside

Finn and Luke looking out over the countryside

We then headed down the hill towards the manor. I will admit, I went a bit wrong here (and may have trespassed a little), but we ended up in the right place, so it counts as a successful walk in my book. We saw lots of deer, but they were too quick to snap. Really must work on our wildlife photography skills!

We walked around the woods, letting Finn stretch his legs as he was getting fractious, before picking up the footpath back to the village.

Finn was glad of a little run around

The footpath back towards the village of Upper Tysoe

It was a shorter walk than I wanted, but as I was a tad underprepared, it was just good to get out and be able to find our way back.

If you want to do a proper walk in the area, here’s a route I created on OS Maps.

Here’s a lovely 5.8 mile walk around the lovely countryside to the west of Banbury

Have you had any disasters recently? I can’t be the only clumsy one!
Country Kids

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Comments

  • Anna Anna February 17, at 08:32

    I have to say I love that first photo – the one you also posted on Instagram. The other day my Mr. dropped my camera because when I asked him to pass it to me he didn’t realise the bag he was picking up from the top was actually open on the bottom. It’s my own fault so I am not blaming him but these things unfortunately do happen. I am normally really clumsy so I actually preferred to get an insurance in case I really do break someone else’s stuff.
    Anyway, the hike looks super lovely and I am glad you were able to enjoy it!

    Reply
    • The Helpful Hiker The Helpful Hiker February 18, at 07:27

      Thanks, I love that photo too! It is covered on our house insurance, so shouldn’t be too painful (hopefully!) It turned out to be a lovely walk in the end.

      Reply
  • Jonathan Jonathan February 17, at 10:40

    What an interesting looking windmill. Do you know much about its history?

    Reply
    • The Helpful Hiker The Helpful Hiker February 18, at 07:26

      Unfortunately not, all I know is that is was built in 18th Century and in use till early 20th. It was great to be able to get right up to it.

      Reply
  • caroline caroline February 17, at 19:49

    such an adventure. I hope the camera doesn’t cost too much. #hmcapppturingmoments xx

    Reply
  • cheryl pasquier cheryl pasquier February 18, at 07:44

    Oh no ! I can imagine just how you felt – it all seems to go in slow motion but there’s nothing you can do to stop it ! I giggled at the forgetting to download the routes too – I go geocaching and sometimes realise I’ve forgotten to add the latest caches to my gps after going and looking them up ! Glad you had a good walk all the same 🙂 #countrykids

    Reply
  • Kids of the Wild Kids of the Wild February 18, at 08:18

    Oh cameras! Some great pics despite the breakage. I love old windmills too, sounded like a great day out #CountryKids

    Reply
  • Lisa (mummascribbles) Lisa (mummascribbles) February 18, at 08:34

    Oh my goodness, my eldest would love this as he is a fan of windmills and that is a beautiful one. Sad that you broke the camera but it looks like you had a lovely walk. #CountryKids

    Reply
  • Coombe Mill Coombe Mill February 18, at 09:29

    What a lovely walk to explore, even if it did start off a little rough around the edges. I can’t imagine how bad you must have felt as you saw the camera bouncing on the road, at least you still had your camera to take these fab shots. I bet Finn thought the windmill was awesome, it does look rather impressive.

    Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids

    Reply
  • Sonia Sonia February 18, at 16:52

    what a fab walk and I love the windmill. Sorry about the camera and I hope it can be fixed. #countrykidsfun

    Reply
  • Mary @ Over 40 and a Mum to One Mary @ Over 40 and a Mum to One February 18, at 16:59

    I’ve lived in this area for years and never knew there was a windmill there! Oh no re the camera, I can just imagine how you feel about it. The scenery looks wonderful, will have to get our maps out here I think #CountryKids

    Reply
  • Jenni Jenni February 18, at 17:43

    Looks like a lovely place to explore. Hope he forgives you for the camera x#HMcapturingmoments

    Reply
  • Sonia Sonia February 19, at 08:52

    Great photos of the windmill! 🙂 Looks like fun.

    Coming over from #CountryKids 🙂

    Reply
  • Clare M Clare M February 19, at 15:48

    Oh, that windmill is great, not got any of those near us in East Devon. A lovely walk and I’ve been pouring over my OS maps looking for new walks near us to share off the beaten track . #countrykids

    Reply
  • MrsS MrsS February 19, at 19:56

    What lovely photos! Looks like such a lovely walk and that windmill is beautiful. We have had loads of disasters….getting lost, having a puncture on the bikes, having a puncture in the wheel of the double pushchair …. breaking a camera lens….yeah I am a nightmare! . Thanks for sharing 🙂 popping over with #CountryKids

    Reply
  • Heidi @him_me_three Heidi @him_me_three February 19, at 20:38

    Sorry to hear about your mishaps!

    Your walk looks stunning. We have a lot of windmills around here but I haven’t managed to get up close to any yet. That one looks beautiful.

    #countrykids

    Reply
  • Ashley Ashley February 20, at 19:39

    Great stuff, but I’m not sure I’d forgive you if it were my camera 🙂

    Reply
  • Sarah Sarah February 22, at 21:31

    Oh my kind of walk! I love walking in the countryside, and I absolutely LOVE windmills! #HMCapturingMoments

    Reply
  • Glad that it turned out to be a good walk despite a few mishaps beforehand. Love the photos of the windmills and the views of the countryside. Hope you manage to get the camera fixed! #countrykids

    Reply
  • Mudpie Fridays Mudpie Fridays February 23, at 12:14

    The photos are stunning. I know what you mean a number of our days out always end in disaster although by the sounds of it your trip was a success. I’m terrible at map reading so would have ended up in the wrong place all together! Hope the camera is fixable. Stopping by from #CountryKids

    Reply
  • Karen (Stopping At Two) Karen (Stopping At Two) February 23, at 17:24

    I have never heard of this and it only looks like an hour away from me. I must look into a day trip to see the windmill.
    #countrykids

    Reply
  • WalkingAngells WalkingAngells February 27, at 17:15

    I love a walk that includes a windmill 🙂 Sue can’t understand but I agree with you, it adds interest. We never use OS maps (dare I admit that here?) and several times I’ve forgotten the GPS or inexplicably deleted the coordinates as we’re about the set out walking. I find it adds to the fun although Sue doesn’t always see it that way.

    Reply
  • Happy Mummy Happy Mummy March 17, at 16:03

    Stunning photos, looks like a lovely place for a family walk. Thank you so much for linking up to #HMCapturingMoments

    Reply

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