Dog walk along the Ilex Way

On Monday mornings I usually take Barney for a walk along the Ilex Way, which is an avenue of Holm Oak trees nearby, and a lovely place for dog walking.  It is possibly the best known avenue of  Holm Oaks/Ilex trees in Great Britain.  The Holm Oak is usually found in the Mediterranean, and is a tall broad leaf evergreen tree.   The trees form an arch over the avenue all the way along.  I took this picture back in December when it was a little bit misty, and very atmospheric. 

Yesterday it was a bright sunny morning so I took some more photos.

The trees have grown very large now, and some have had to be trimmed or even felled.  There was a lot of damage in the 1987 hurricane.  The gaps have been replanted and those trees are now quite mature.  There is a lot of wildlife among the trees.  Barney always loves to chase the grey squirrels!  There is always lots of bird song - quite magical.

These trees were planted in the 19th century when the land was part of the Goring Hall estate.  Goring Hall was built in 1840 by David Lyon and it is said that the late Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon stayed there as a guest many times.  Goring Hall is now a private hospital, but has been a private boarding school. 

To the south of the avenue are farmers fields down to the sea

There is a well trodden path across the famers field, which we usually take to walk back, and that   brings us to the cricket and football fields.

There are usually lots of other dog walkers to chat to and walk with, and dogs for Barney to play with. The walk takes about 45 minutes, but there are lots of other paths you can take for a longer walk.   And finally, here's Barney!