周辺の湖・トップ6

There are great views of 'Compton Pools' from many vantage points along this route. The pools are really lakes as they were turned into a single expanse of water by Lancelot Capability Brown circa 1769. The hills, the house and the bridges provide a beautiful backdrop to the lakes.

We had to double back on ourselves slightly to see the lakes, as they were hidden behind a hedge

Wormleighton Reservoir is used to maintain the water level in the Oxford Canal. Planned in 1787, it has served the canal well ever since. The reservoir is an excellent place to spot a variety of bird species, such as the ring-necked duck, egret, bufflehead and great crested grebe.

Managed by the Banbury Ornithological Society, the Grimsbury Plantation Reserve is a 3.5-acre (1.4 ha) area of Scots pine and alder woodland. Look out for the Eurasian siskin wintering during the colder months, whilst summer is a good time to spot warblers. The nearby reservoir is popular with dog walkers, whilst the Oxford Canal runs adjacent to the reserve. If you bring your dog, ensure it is kept on a short lead on the reserve so as to not disturb the birds.

Bishops Bowl Fishery sits on a 90 acre former limestone quarry, located on the Oxfordshire/Warwickshire border. The quarry work many years ago has created an attractive stone faced bowl. The whole site is recorded as a site of scientific interest.  As at Lyme Regis, the Blue Lias at Harbury is rich in marine fossils. In 1927 and 1928 the skeletons of two marine reptiles were found in Harbury quarry. They are an ichthyosaur and a plesiosaur, and both fossils are now in the Natural History Museum, London. The plesiosaur is the unique example of the early Jurassic species Macroplata tenuiceps.

Really nice quiet campsite, fishing lake and falconary set in a lovely sheltered location. Picturesque walk to one of the local pubs in Ratley.