As mentioned in the AGM Notice in the July Newsletter, we are being allocated a car parking area. It is important that we use this car parking area and the route to and from it, to prevent lots of traffic through Chastleton. The National Trust routes car away from the village, otherwise the village would be inundated by cars regularly. I guess even then, some NT traffic ignores the instructions in the NT Handbook and invades. Please follow the instructions below, to convince the residents the FSG contains nice people. Yes, it's a longer way round, but it's done to help the residents.
The car parking area for us is well placed. It is the field adjacent to the churchyard. There is a field gate entrance a few yards up from the eastern boundary wall of the churchyard. It's the only one, so there's no good excuse for missing it. There's a very good chance it will have an FSG notice attached to it. It's got literally acres of room, so there's no need to go too far in. On leaving, turn left out up the hill. Julie Townsend of Chastleton has provided the field, and our thanks go to her for this kindness.
The routes into Chastleton are these. Basically it's follow the NT signs to Chastleton:-
1) from west/north/south: follow A44. Ignore the first two right turns to Chastleton, but go up the hill and turn right towards Stow (A436). Take the first right turn to Chastleton (follow the National Trust signs). Don't park in the NT designated car park, because it has little spare room, but carry on slowly down the hill. In a short distance you will see the Church on the right. Turn right into 'our' field just before the Church;
2) from Chipping Norton and Stow. Turn onto A436 and either turn right or left as required at the NT signs. Continue down to 'our' field as above.
PLEASE BE KIND TO CHASTLETON BY KEEPING TO THESE DIRECTIONS
WC's: the National Trust is kindly allowing us to use their lavatory facilities. These can be found as follows: enter the House grounds through the main entrance arch; continue down the gravelled path and turn left onto another smaller gravel path; continue through a narrow opening towards the courtyard. The lavs are on the right after the narrow opening.
Tea: will be in the Church. We shall be sharing the teas with the House visitors (whom we shall charge), because there are no café facilities there. Please bring food as previously.
Visit to the House: this is by ticket only (available from the ticket office in the courtyard). NT members enter free, otherwise a charge. Please note the House is open 1.00-4.00pm: last admission 3.00pm.