Where's this then? And what's going on?

[The Other PaulG]

Had a fabulous cycle through parts of Oxfordshire yesterday.

Here's the quiz -
a) where is this?
b) what's the river called?
c) what's going on with all those little dams?

First correct answer wins a bottle of Johnny Walker, presented at the GSer Nova Scotia Christmas do. (collection in person only).

 

[grantmac]

no clue where but looks like an old trout farm......

 

[LOLGEOFF]

Water cress farm.

 

[Big Si]

Letcombe Bassett, fed by Letcombe Brook?

or Ewelme, fed by a local spring?

 

[Udders]

Water cress farm.

Could be right.
There’s a similar set up in a chalk stream just south of Salisbury.

 

[The Other PaulG]

OK it's kinda a team effort.

Ewelme, and yes it's a watercress farm. The community gets behind it and farm watercress as it has been done for many years. Interesting thing to come across.

 

[BillWright]

Whilst in the area, I can recommend the Waterfront Cafe. Excellent food, but not cheap.

Waterfront Café | Bar | Bistro | waterfront cafe benson | Waterfront Café Benson, A4074, Benson, Wallingford, UK OX10 6SJ

Waterfront Café | Bar | Bistro is located by the stunning River Thames in Benson. A delicious menu of homemade specials, perfect for every appetite and taste. Kickstart your day with a hearty breakfast, indulge in a light lunch or feast from our main menu. Locals, visitors, children...

www.waterfrontcafe.co.uk

 

[siddo]

Ewelme Watercress Beds & Nature Reserve

 

[Nin]

And it’s the Ewelme Stream. A short cycle from there is the more exciting Martin-Baker ejector seat test centre, at Chalgrove.

 

[Watty100]

There is an old watercress bed that used to serve the Himley Hall, former home of the Earls of Dudley.
Been there years, no longer tended but locals restricted themselves to taking a few leaves so the plants could continue to thrive.
Then the east European Roma types discovered them, ripped the cress plants out by the roots, a little bit of living local history destroyed.
Bastard scavengers.