Newbury to Woolhampton
Length: 17,5km (10.9 miles) Toughness: 2/10
Both today's walks were posted last month, but were scuppered by Storm Dennis, so we're giving them another chance today.
10:36 Castle Cary train from Paddington arriving Newbury at 11:14.
If starting from Ealing Broadway, take the 09:44 Reading train, changing at Maidenhead or Reading for a train to Newbury that arrives at 11:01.
Return trains from Midgham to Paddington, are at 15:56 (direct), or at 18:02 and 20:03 (changing at Reading) (journey time 44 mins or 57 mins). If you just miss one of these trains (or even if you don’t) and if daylight allows, you could extend the walk by walking westwards along the canal to Thatcham station which has additional trains to Paddington at 15:02, 17:04, and 19:01. This adds 4.5km to the total distance.
The walk was originally designed to start from Newbury Racecourse, but trains to Newbury are faster and more frequent, and the alternative start is included in the walk directions.
This is an easy walk, with some gentle climbs en route, that crosses Greenham Common where the abandoned cruise missile silos still loom menacingly over the landscape. The remainder of the walk traverses quiet woods and farmland. The recommended lunchtime pub is The Travellers Friend in Crookham Common (01189 713156), and the tea stop is the popular Rowbarge pub close to Midgham station. But do leave time to reach the London-bound platform before the level crossing barriers descend, after which there’s no way across the tracks.
You will need to download the Walk Directions
T=swc.34
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There were just n=2 walkers at Newbury Station that alighted from the 10:36 from Paddington. The weather in the morning was w=wet_and_windy. The paths over Greenham common were good but became very muddy (though not of the glooping kind) once we entered open country. Lunch at the Travellers Rest wasn't good; the vegetables were over cooked. The rain cleared after lunch and good progress was made until Midgham where the path around the gravel pit was flooded. Reached Midgham for a drink in the Rowbarge and the 18:03 train.
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