Berkshire Downs Mugs

A digital oil painting of farmland on the Berkshire - or North Wessex -Downs. This scene is between East Ilsley and Hampstead Norreys - a little way north of Newbury. Captured in Early May with fresh green crops leading the eye to the bright yellow field of oilseed.

A farm nestled in a fold of the Berkshire (or North Wessex) Downs. This scene was captured on a small winding road between East Ilsley and Hampstead Norreys inWest Berkshire. Drive further on and the market town of Newbury is reached.

A rural scene looking over the Berkshire (or North Wessex) Downs with sheep grazing in the foreground. This scene was captured near the road from Streatley-on-Thames leading to Blewbury. It was a beautiful spring day with the countryside just beginning to stir from winter sleep. Canon G12

On a bright summer evening looking across the Berkshire (North Wessex) Downs near Aldworth, a pretty downland village in West Berkshire, England. And following a leisurely photographic session - what better than a pint in the village inn! Nikon D200 Nikkor 18-200

The church of St Mary the Virgin on the edge of the village of Aldworth in West Berkshire. Parts of it date back to c.1200. Inside are the 'Aldworth Giants' - effigies on the tombs of the De La Beche family dating from medieval times. They are supposedly life size - but some of the knights are over 7ft! Many of these were damaged by Parliamentary troops during the Civil War. The village of Aldworth sits above the Thames Valley on the Berkshire Downs. The image is finished as a pastel painting.

The church of St Mary the Virgin on the edge of the village of Aldworth in West Berkshire. Parts of it date back to c.1200. Inside are the 'Aldworth Giants' - effigies on the tombs of the De La Beche family dating from medieval times. They are supposedly life size - but some of the knights are over 7ft! Many of these were damaged by Parliamentary troops during the Civil War. The village of Aldworth sits above the Thames Valley on the Berkshire Downs. The image is finished as a pastel painting.

The River Thames as it flows between the villages of Streatley in Berkshire, England to the south and Goring in Oxfordshire to the north. This is a break between the North Wessex (Berkshire) Downs and the Chiltern Hills known as the Goring Gap. This is the view looking west from the bridge. Moored on the left is one of the old Oxford College barges - now an events venue for the hotel on the river bank. To the right the Thames rushes over the weir, boats passing through the lock. This is a popular scene with artists. Nikon 7100 Nikkor 18-200

A boat named 'Snapdragon' moored at Goring-on-Thames - digital art developed from my original photograph. It's a late afternoon in August and the low sun lights up the scene just below the lock and weir. Here the Thames is passing through the Goring Gap - an opening between the Chiltern Hills and the North Wessex (Berkshire) Downs - before flowing past Pangbourne and Reading en route to London and the sea. Not surprisingly this area has been a haunt for artists - including JMW Turner!

A view across the Thames Valley from Aldworth in Berkshire, England. This is the scene looking from the Berkshire or North Wessex Downs across the Thames into Oxfordshre. In the distance are the Chiltern Hills, Captured on a sunny summer evening with the light just catching the edge of the hills.

Looking over the North Wessex (or Berkshire) Downs in mid-spring. The landscape here is now dominated by swathes of yellow as the oil seed rape is in full bloom. Here it is backed by an emerald green, tree-crested knoll. Not so good for those with hay fever - but it looks spectacular!

The scene looking eastwards along the River Thames from the road bridge at Goring-on-Thames on the Oxfordshire/Berkshire border. A variety of river boats are moored along the towpath which is part of the Thames Path long-distance trail. A launch is heading towards to lock and a couple of paddle boarders are moving downstream. Here the Thames flows through the Goring Gap between the Chiltern Hills and the North Wessex Downs.

Looking out over the beautiful Thames Valley from the North Wessex (or Berkshire) Downs. This view was captured just above Streatley-on-Thames and looks north towards the Chiltern Hills. This is an area of lush farmland. Cultivated fields lie next to green meadows - frequently inhabited by sheep.

The weir at Streatley-on-Thames in West Berkshire as seen from the road bridge linking this village with Goring-on-Thames on the northern, Oxfordshire bank. This weir is a few hundred yards below the much longer one at Goring. Where the houses in the image now stand is the site of Streatley Mill which was destroyed by fire in 1926 n- although paintings and early photographs of it still exist. The hills behind are the start of the North Wessex (or Berkshire) Downs.

A bench providing a great place to sit, relax and enjoy the surroundings here at East Ilsely, a village in the Berkshire or North Wessex Downs. The village can be found just off the A34 between Newbury and Abingdon. Being near the Ridgeway path and other old roadways it was an important trading place. It was also on a coaching route so had a number of inns. There was a weekly sheep market held here too. The pond itself has been recently cleared - and is much appreciated by the local ducks!

A view of the pond which is in the centre of the village of East Ilsley in Berkshire. The village can be found just off the A34 between Newbury and Abingdon. It sits nicely in a dip in the Berkshire (or North Wessex) Downs. Being near the Ridgeway path and other roadways it was an important trading place. It was also on a coaching route so had a number of inns. There was a weekly sheep market held here too. The pond itself has been recently cleared - and is much appreciated by the local ducks

Looking across the staggered crossroads just outside Aldworth in West Berkshire to the Four Points Inn. It's a thatched building dating from the C17th having apparently been a pub for over 350 years! The village sits on the Berkshire (or North Wessex) Downs above Streatley and the Thames Valley in the midst of farmland. Just further up the road from here is the church which contains the huge effigies of knights belonging to the De La Beche Family. The image is finished as a pastel drawing.

The Four Points public house at Aldworth in Berkshire standing at a staggered crossroads near the village. It's a thatched building dating from the C17th having apparently been a pub for over 350 years! The village sits on the Berkshire (or North Wessex) Downs above Streatley and the Thames Valley in the midst of farmland. Just further up the road from here is the church which contains the huge effigies of knights belonging to the De La Beche Family. The image is finished as a pastel drawing.