Red Kite Alley rocks. If you pootle off in your car and aim for anywhere between Sonning (near Reading) and Great Missenden (out past High Wycombe), chances are high that at some point in the journey, if you are in thrall to the avian world to any degree, you will pull over and gasp at the great fancily-tailed show-offs gliding around above you.
A particularly fertile spot for kite-watching is the Henley-Stonor B-road, which takes you through a variety of Assendons, up past the hotbed of Stonor Park, home of the Astor family and a sweeping great deer park, and up towards the amusingly-named village named Pishill.
Being a cloistered, wealthy, Home Counties village, all the living that occurs around these parts takes place behind large hedges, walls, fences and so on. However, many types do manage to congregate at the wonderful Crown Inn, situated on the ‘main’ road through Pishill, so you can’t miss it. This pub has a truly delightful outside seating area overlooking the Stonor valley. This isn’t a breathtaking view by any means – but it is comforting and soothing to the eyes, multifold shades of green misting over the concrete assaults your eyes normally deal with. The pub serves a great selection of local ales, and does a cracking Sunday roast. Its interior delves deeply into the timber-vaulted interior; even on the busiest of days, there always seems to be a slab of wood over which you can spread your belongings and papers.
A lively, earnest, hearty little discovery in amongst the well-heeled Chiltern valleys. Stop by if you’re twitching.
The Crown
- Pishill
- Henley-On-Thames RG9 6HH.
- Tel: 01491 638364