Feasting in Frilsham (Aldermaston to Woolhampton)!

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 9:32 AM Great Western train from London Paddington, changing at Reading (arrive 9:55; depart 10:12), arriving at Aldermaston at 10:25. Return trains (all requiring a change at Reading) from Midgham (Woolhampton) are at 22 past the hour. Buy a day return to Midgham.

Traditionally, one of the highlights of this lovely walk was a fabulous lunch at the very remote Pot Kiln which specialised in local game.  The pub has sadly changed hands/management and has been reincarnated as a Basque-themed destination.  I thought this worth an exploration! 

In addition to a good lunch (hopefully), 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 an upmarket Basque-themed foodie pub. I have booked a table (for six) at 1pm in their outside area. There are some earlier and later lunch options mentioned in the walk instructions if this does not appeal.

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)!

Saturday Walk - Earlswood to Oxted

t=SWC.148 

Length: 17km (10.5m)
Toughness: 4 / 10

This is a pleasant section of the Greensand Way, passing through gentle Surrey countryside, with a mix of pasture, arable fields and woodland, and some fine escarpment views typical of the Greensand Way.

Waymarking on the route is often fairly poor, hence these directions. While the route largely follows the Greensand Way, in a couple of places alternatives are suggested to avoid walking on busy roads.

Trains: Get the Thameslink 0951 Gatwick train from London Bridge (St Pancras 0935, Blackfriars 0944, East Croydon 1006 etc) arriving 1025. Buy an Edenbridge Stations return.
Returns from Oxted are xx23 xx53 to Victoria, xx20 to London Bridge 

Lunch: The Red Lion in Bletchingley after 3.8 miles gives an early lunch.

Tea: Oxted has various options, including a Weatherspoons by the station. 

Evening Walk - Hither Green to Blackheath: well-kept parks, heathland, grand houses, genteel streets (map-led or by reverse reading the text)

Length: 6.5 km (or as short as 3.6 km with shortcuts)

Ascent/Descent: 56/49m

Net Walking Time: 1 ½ hours

 

Take the 18.04 Orpington train from Cannon Street (London Bridge 18.09, then New Cross and St John’s), arrives Hither Green at 18.21. 

Return trains from Blackheath are 7 per hour to either Victoria, Cannon Street or Charing Cross.

The start of SWC 421 Blackheath to Deptford but in reverse, as the two public parks en route (Manor Park and Manor House Gardens in Lee Green) close at 19.00 hours: 

“The River Quaggy, well-kept parks, a large church (with Gothic Revivalist interior), a large heathland with views, genteel streets, grand houses (Victorian, Georgian, Modernist)” 

 

Shortcuts: Straight to Blackheath Station after crossing the railway line (as per SWC 421), or improvised from the two pubs en route.

 

Eat/Drink: Two pubs en route (or just off it), Hare and Billet and The Princess of Wales. Plus plenty of options in Blackheath village.  

 

For walk directions, map and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.421.a

Wednesday walk - Buxted circular

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Length: 16.3km (10.1 miles)

Difficulty: 3 out of 10

Trains: Take the 10.07 from London Bridge arriving Buxted 11.15.

Return trains from Buxted: xx.37.

This is a gentle walk over a mix of fields and woods from a quiet station on the Uckfield Line in East Sussex.

Lunch:  The suggested lunch pub is the Crow and Gate Poundgate, TN6 3TA, (0892 603461 ) located 8.5km from the start of the walk. Last year they were not serving food but now appear to be up and running as part of the Vintage Inn chain. 

Tea: The Buxted Inn Buxted, TN22 4LA, (01825 733510)  is just a minute away from the station.

For more details click L=swc.95

Sunday Walk: Hollingbourne Circular via Thurnham

16km 9.9 miles  Difficulty 7/10 

This walk goes out across a succession of sunken lanes and hollows in the hillside, climbs to medieval castle ruins, and returns via parkland, field edges and paddocks. The shorter version missing out Leeds Castle, is proposed.

Lunch:
The Black Horse Thurnham.
Mr Tiger has fond memories of this characterful pub - and of a particularly strong cider. They do food too.
Tea
Two pubs in Eyhorne Street, about ten minutes before the station. The upmarket Windmill (01622-889000), and the more traditional Sugar Loaves (01622-880220).
Trains
The 9:55 from Victoria  arriving 11:09. Trains return to Victoria at xx:17.  t=swc.253
Directions: here. (Extended Walk 1, via Thurnham, omitting Leeds castle).
 

Sunday Walk: Saunderton Circular

10.7 miles, 17.3 km.Toughness: 6 /10
A favourite Chilterns walk, with a favourite pub thrown in. There are fine views out over the valley and plain. Largely gentle with one or two steep bits. For a shorter walk, switch to the Princes Risborough ending after lunch.
Trains: Get the 9:53 Aylesbury train from Marylebone arriving Saunderton 10:52.
Trains return from Saunderton at xx:57 from platform 2.
From Princes Risborough, the fastest trains are at 15:12, 16:14, 17:12, 18:14 etc. Slower, stopping trains at xx:22 and 51.
A return to Saunderton will do for the main walk. For a few pence more, a return to Princes Risborough covers both endings.
Lunch: The Lions of Bledlow: 01844 343345 Open from 12
Bledlow's Lyde Garden is worth a quick visit and is a possible picnic place. The entrance is near the church. 

Walk Directions:  here
 If you want the shorter ending to Princes Risborough, written directions are on the separate “Finish in Princes Risborough”button. (Also on the gps).
Tea: Saunderton : The Golden Cross is handy for Saunderton station. It’s on the main road, just past the station turn-in.  An earlier  possibility is the Boot 01494 481499.
Tea: Princes Risborough: The Bird in Hand, on Station Road 01844 345602  Follow the “into Princes Risborough” option, crossing the rail bridge.
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Saturday Walk: Gomshall to Guildford

Book 1 Walk 14

9.7 miles / 15.6 km 

add 1.5 miles for an optional morning loop through Albury Park where you can visit an ancient church

This walk starts in Gomshall, passing some of the pleasant buildings on its outskirts, before crossing fields to the interesting church and village of Shere on the Tilling Bourne stream, a place packed full of fifteenth and sixteenth-century timber-framed buildings. Then the walk continues past old gnarled trees in Albury Park and through the pine woods of Blackheath Common.  From there, the route follows the Downs Link path. There's an optional detour to visit Chinthurst Hill Tower, a folly with a view.  The final stretch is along the River Wey into Guildford.

Trains: 09:51 London Bridge, (10:06 East Croydon), 10:22 Redhill - change there to catch the 10:40 to Gomshall, arriving at 11:00.  Return trains from Guildford are frequent.  Buy a day return to Gomshall - make sure it is valid for any permitted route.

Lunch: William IV, Little London - this pub is now re-open.

Full walk details, directions, maps

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