SWC Walk 260: Aldermaston to Woolhampton (via Frilsham) t=swc.260
Distance: 14.1 miles or 22.7 km for those more
metrically minded (and shorter SWC 117 option which shares start and finish 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 9:23; depart 9:44), arriving at Aldermaston at 9:56.
Return
trains (all requiring a change at Reading unless otherwise noted) from Midgham
(Woolhampton) are at 16:58 (change Newbury); 18:02; 18:58 (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….and well worth the effort for a
fabulous lunch in Frilsham (not to mention, the walk should be lovely in full
autumnal tint). It 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.
Enjoy the walk!
5 comments:
Is anyone going on this walk?
Yes.....
Good. Im on 10.02 train, so hope to get to Pot Kiln Inn.
Okie dokie, stitting in the sun on the patio of the Pot Kiln having an aperitif....
Perhaps it was the early start on a Sunday or perhaps the hammering rain in London about 8am, but just 4 connected in Reading -- all hoping the Met Office forecast of clearing skies at 10am were accurate while at the same time listening to the ongoing deluge pounding the roof of the station....A short journey further west did indeed reveal some glimpses of blue sky and shortly after setting off we enjoyed w=bright-blustery-autumnal-sunshine for most of the day. The ground was damp but the scenery stunning with some signs of autumn tint here and there. We arrived at the Pot Kiln a bit early and enjoyed an aperitif in the sun on the patio while perusing the menu. As we were just about to order, a 5th walker materialized from a later train via taxi to join our fantastic feast (making for n=5 on this adventure and perfectly rounding out the booking)....Two hours later after indulging in a variety of starters, mains, puddings, wine, beer and coffees, we managed to set-off to complete the walk in the soft afternoon sun of autumn....through a delightful mix of woods, heath and fields...towards the end two opted for a short cut while the others stayed on course....we arrived at the road into Midgham about 5:20pm in the last of the fading light and easily navigated the final 10 minute walk down the road in the dark to meet the others at the Angel Pub, enjoying a swift bevie before catching the 18:02 back to London...some fancy footwork at Reading overcame a canceled train to get us on one departing earlier than the originally advised (canceled) connection.....to summarize a w=deliciously-delightful-day.
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