SWC Walk 260: Aldermaston to Woolhampton (via Frilsham) t=swc.260
Distance: 14.1 miles or 22.7 km for those more
metrically minded (with longer (16.7 miles/26.9 km) and shorter (bus or SWC 117
which shares start and finish) options available)
Difficulty: 7
out of 10 (8 out of 10 for the longer option)
Train: Take the 9:00
AM Great Western train from London Paddington,
changing at Reading (arrive 9:28; depart 9:43), arriving at Aldermaston at 9:55.
Return
trains (all requiring a change at Reading unless otherwise noted) from Midgham
(Woolhampton) are at 16:56 (change Newbury); 18:02; 18:56 (change Newbury); 20:03;
and 22:05. Buy a day return to Midgham.
On the first day after the end of British Summer
Time, an early start should be manageable (remember that extra hour in the
morning)….and well worth the effort for a fabulous lunch in Frilsham – not to
mention the walk should be lovely in autumnal tint. In addition to a fab lunch,
the walk explores the undulating territory of the West Berkshire Downs, part of
the Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty. It includes ancient
woodland, commons, including Bucklebury Common (the largest in SE England) and
pretty villages. You can find more information about the walk and download the
walk instructions here. For those
preferring something shorter, SWC 117 shares the same start and finish – but
has a completely different (and shorter) middle section.
The recommended lunch pub on the main walk is the
Pot Kiln Inn (01635 201 366) in Frilsham
(5.5 miles/9.6 km into the walk). Note that this is a real foodie kind of pub
– specializing in game. I have booked a table (for five) at 12:30. There
are some earlier and later lunch options mentioned in the walk instructions.
Tea can be had at the very pleasant Rowbarge Inn near Midgham Station or if
pressed for time the Angel pub passed in the village.
Enjoy the walk (and lunch)!
1 comment:
n=4 emerged from the train onto the platform at Aldermaston under w=cloudy-skies-clearing-later. After dispensing with formalities, we set off together, some of us already having lunch on our mind....The woods were very pretty with nice shades of autumnal tint. On arriving at the pub, one decided to stick with his picnic plans while three enjoyed a delicious and indulgent lunch....After pulling ourselves away from the table, we emerged into bright late autumn sunshine for a beautiful afternoon walk through various woods and heathland....On the heath, some discussion was had as the GPX and instructions seemed to suggest different routes -- it was only later that I realized my instructions are a bit out of date and the route no longer includes the "exciting pathless stretch"! At any rate, we made it through the heath and on to Midgham arriving about 17:10 with time for a drink at the Angel before catching the 18:02 for a swift journey back to London. A great day!
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