Napton-on-the-Hill

Bored with the sameness of every day due to lockdown restrictions, we decided to visit Napton-on-the-Hill last Sunday.

The population of the village  of around 1,000 is roughly the same today, as it was in the year 1400.

Some nice cottages

It's situated on top of a hill, 500 metres above sea level so the views of the surrounding countryside are fantastic.

We decided to start by visiting the local church, St Laurence, parts of which date from the 12th century.

Rather than going down this path, we turn left and took the path that woul lead to

the windmill which was built in 1835. In 1900 it ceased to be worked with sails and was converted to steam, which powered it until about 1909. It then lay derelict until 1972, when it was restored, converted into a house and fitted with four patent sails. 

The views from here are great. The site was used as an Observer Post during WWII, operated by the Royal Observer Corps. It was part of a network of observation towers built for the purpose of providing a system for detecting and tracking aircraft. The Blitz on Coventry would have been observed from here. 

The field in front of the windmill had a number of bulls grazing.

We moved on to the end of the path and had a look at the home that incorporates the windmill.

We then found a path that led downhill

 

which, again,  afforded great views 

 we eventually retraced our steps, walked through the village, got to our car and drove back home.