Length:
22.6 km (14.1 mi) [longer walk possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent:
381/377 m
Net Walking Time: ca. 5 ¼ hours
Toughness:
5 out of 10
Take
the 09.32 Bristol Temple Meads train from Paddington, change
at Reading (09.55/10.12, Newbury Train, usually
departing from Platform 1), arriving Aldermaston at 10.24.
From
Ealing B’way take the 09.05 Didcot service, change at Reading (09.44/10.12).
Return
trains:
xx.21 basically (change Reading), or xx.26 (change
Newbury, but takes longer).
Buy
a Midgham return.
This
walk explores a surprisingly quiet part of the commuter area that is West
Berkshire, less than an hour from Central London. It is an undulating landscape
with some fine views over unspoilt countryside - the West Berkshire Downs,
which are part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and
consist of a mix of ancient woodlands, commons, fields and pretty villages with
pleasant, historical pubs. The route passes through the chalk stream river
valleys of the Kennet, the Bourne and the Pang, where you’ll also find some
evidence of traditional water meadows. A long section of the walk leads through
the elevated Bucklebury Common, one of the largest commons in Southern England.
In the main this consists of a variety of woods, but you’ll also walk through
one of Berkshire’s largest heathlands and see part of a famous Avenue of Oaks.
At
the end there is a choice of finishes either through the landscaped Midgham
Park or along the Kennet & Avon Canal. Carrying map and compass is
recommended, as there are plenty of paths in the woods and on the heath.
A
westerly extension leads through more fascinating, undulating woods and
the large and impressive Neolithic hillfort site of Grimsbury Castle. This
version of the walk (26.8 km/16.7 mi, more if you lunch in Hermitage) is rated 7/10.
Lunch: The Pot Kiln in
Frilsham (9.7 km/6.0 mi, pre-booking strongly recommended; 2 tables have been booked, contact me if you want a place) or on
the extended walk, The Fox Inn
and The White Horse, in Hermitage, but they are off-route and add
2.3 km (more for the 2nd pub), see the pdf for details.
Tea: The Cottage
Inn in Upper Bucklebury (17.2 km/10.7 mi), The Angel Inn or The Rowbarge Inn
in Woolhampton (near Midgham Station).
For
walk directions, map, photos, height profile, and gpx/kml
files click here.
T=swc.260
7 comments:
Better train time!
Expect more tub disruption with little or no notice.
Austen
Pingdemic latest:
Circle, H&C, Metropolitan and District (to Edgware Road) Lines will all be closed in da mornin', as per TfL email just in. So, just the Bakerloo travelling via P'ton (and on a Covid schedule = about every 10 mins).
Or take Central Line to Lancaster Gate and walk to Paddington. (about 8 mins)
Or Jubilee to Baker Street which is a brisk five minute walk from Marylebone.
Train leaves from P'ton though, Bill! Just in case you're thinking of coming along...
Likelihood of precipitation in the Aldermaston area during the day: starting at 86% and dropping to 37%, with thunderstorms possible all day. That was the forecast, and not just on the Nation's favourite site. The reality was a w=sullen-start-improving-to-sunny-breaks-and-always-dry day. n=11 had turned up, with 9 of those booked onto two tables at The Pot Kiln, the carnivore's choice amongst the SWC lunch pubs. We got there a little ahead of the booked times, and stayed for 2 1/4 hours, with every minute of it worth it and the resultant expense. Even the 2 picnickers joined us at the tables and stayed for the duration! 3 then took a taxi to a station, citing exhaustion and/or evening commitments. 1 other had met a couple of friends at The Kiln and I've lost track of when and where they went. So, 7 walked on, 4 of those catching the 18.23 comfortably, the others missing it narrowly (we could see them as the train pulled out). I guess, the Rowbarge Inn was their next destination...
As for the walk: some muddy bits in woods, else an always satisfying mixture of scenery: some rolling hills, some large fields, plenty of fine woods, a heathland common (skirted by my group as it's still ground nesting season) and some pretty villages and several large stately piles.
A fabulous walk and a superb, over-indulgent luncheon. The three of us who just missed the 18-21 hrs train enjoyed a relaxing hour at the Rowbarge Inn before catching the 19-21 hrs service which sped us home. Many thanks to Thomas for posting his excellent, rural West Berkshire walk - and for reserving tables for us at The Pot Kiln. A great day out in the best of SWC company.
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