Our Scrapbook of Previous Walks

Walk 670 - Pangbourne, Whitchurch-on-Thames and Goring

The walk on Sunday 29^th September was 9.5 miles with an option to finish after the first 5 miles and return to the starting point by train. Twenty-three people and a small dog attended the first half of the walk, which started at Pangbourne and was supposed to follow the Thames Path to Goring. Eighteen of us continued for the second half of the walk, following the Chiltern Way through Great Chalk Wood, then heading through farmland and back through Whitchurch to Pangbourne again.

We followed the Thames Path over Whitchurch Bridge and up the hill into the village of Whitchurch-on-Thames, passing the church of St Mary the Virgin on the way. While crossing the bridge, we noticed that the Thames had slightly overflowed into Pangbourne Meadow, which was unusual at this time of year. The Thames Path took an undulating route through Coombe Park and Hartslock Wood, high above the river, from which vantage point it looked rather brown and fast-flowing today - a warning of what was to come.

My planned route avoided a section of Thames Path near Gatehampton Manor, which is usually quite muddy, and joined further upstream nearer Goring. However when we arrived at the towpath, it was completely underwater, so we had to double back and walk into Goring by road.

Our lunch stop was by the river, not far from Goring Lock. The benches and grass were dry enough to sit down for lunch, but we could see a number of narrowboats moored to an invisible towpath! We spoke to a couple who were on a boating holiday and they'd had to wade along the submerged towpath to get off their boat.

After lunch we walked into Goring, stopping to say goodbye to those returning by train and to make use of the local facilities. Next, we followed the Chiltern Way through a residential cul-de-sac and across a playing field before a more rural footpath took us up and into Great Chalk Wood.

Leaving the Chiltern Way we passed by Stapnall's Farm at Cold Harbour, re-joined it at Coombe End Farm only to leave it again at Beech Farm. A well-maintained footpath took us through the farm and back to Whitchurch village. It was then a matter of retracing our outward steps back to Pangbourne. See our route on Google Maps. Despite the recent rain, we were not very muddy at the end of the walk.

Thanks go to Emma and Rob for leading this walk and Rob for the write-up.

Walk 656 - Midgham Meander

On Saturday 31^st August, fourteen of us headed steeply uphill from Woolhampton towards Douai Abbey. Happily West Berkshire Council had done a splendid job of clearing the footpath which had previously been overgrown. Our route took through woods and across fields towards Chapel Row.

Thanks go to one of the group for putting this leader back on the right route after she headed rather too enthusiastically off in the wrong direction! That "only" happened twice - not bad considering the recce was two months ago.

After crossing a field of maize, we headed for Bucklebury Farm Park - where we were fortunate to see tiny horses, donkeys, goats, Herdwick sheep and some very cute alpacas. As there was a good view at the top of the hill, we stopped there for our lunch.

Several of the group had secateurs at the ready to cut a route through the swing gates and there were plenty of blackberries to collect too.

The Cottage Inn made a very welcome early afternoon break with time to socialise, and we admired the classic cars as they headed off from the field behind the pub.

Some wider views, and a couple more hills felt easier after that- as we headed back to the station. See our route on Google Maps. A few of us decided to stay on at the Rowbarge pub after the walk - making the most of the last day of summer.

We missed a couple of folk due to problems on the Wokingham train line. So sorry you weren't able to make it this week, and hope to see you soon.

Thanks go to Ruth for leading this walk and for writing it up.

Walk 655 - Finchampstead and Blackwater Circuit

Although he couldn't have known it, the day Stephen chose to lead his first walk for us (Saturday 24^th August) was very wet! The rain had started during the night and carried on through the day. Six of us (including a brave newcomer trying us out) met up at the Simons Wood car park and put on our waterproof jackets and over-trousers.

We walked through Simons Wood and Wicks Hill to Finchampstead, stopping at St James' Church while Stephen told us a bit of the history of the church and its bells. Next, we followed a narrow footpath and a section of road to Eversley, where Stephen told us a bit about the village and its local pub. This walk was becoming quite educational - Stephen had certainly done some extra homework on top of planning, pre-walking and leading this walk. If only he could plan the weather, too! ;-)

Crossing into Hampshire, we followed the Long River westward to New Mill Ford. We didn't cross the ford, which looked too deep for most cars let alone our walking boots! There was a footbridge of course, but we didn't use it. Instead, we turned south, heading into Bramshill Plantation.

The rain stopped long enough for us to eat our packed lunches while sitting on a log at the side of the path. Leaving the plantation, we headed into Heath Warren Wood and picked up the Three Castles Path, which we followed as far as Moor Green Lakes nature reserve. We stopped along the way at St Mary's Church in Eversley to admire the huge sequoia tree dominating the graveyard.

Leaving the Three Castles Path, we headed north past the lakes and then through woodland back to Simons Wood. See our route on Google Maps. We covered 12.5 miles in just five hours - obviously no one wanted to dawdle in the rain!

Thanks go to Stephen for leading this walk. Rob wrote it up.

Walk 654 - Hampstead Norreys

Saturday 17^th August was another warm summer day, but slightly cooler and less humid than the previous weekend. Fourteen of us set off from the car park at Hampstead Norreys Village Hall on a 10.8 mile walk led by Anne and Hazel.

We headed north and then west passing Perborough Castle, an Iron-Age hill-fort, which is on private land and not accessible to the public. We also passed a number of wheat fields, some ready for harvest and some already harvested. Later in the walk, we saw a combined Harvester in action.

After Banterwick Farm, we turned south along a path enclosed by trees, which got us out of the sun for a while. A mixture of open and wooded paths took us south and west to Langley Wood. Then we joined Old Street (track) heading south-east to Oareborough Hill. We stopped for lunch, sitting in the shade of a big oak tree by the edge of a ploughed field near Oareborough Lane (track).

After lunch we continued across fields of wheat and oats to Bothampstead, and then through a field of maize, which was taller than us! Back in the cool of woodland again, we passed through Elingpark Copse and Down Wood, where we had to get out the secateurs again to cut back nettles and brambles, which were blocking the footpaths.

On reaching Hampstead Norreys, a few of the group headed straight back to the village hall car park while the rest of us made our way to the local community-run shop and cafe for refreshments. Suitably refreshed, we doubled back by the church and returned to the village hall car park. See our route on Google Maps.

Thanks go to Anne and Hazel for leading this walk. Rob wrote it up.

Walk 653 - Yattendon and Ashampstead

On Sunday 11^th August, twelve of us had a cooked breakfast at the Renegade Brewery Taproom restaurant before being joined by four others for an eight mile walk led by Jane (who also organised and booked the breakfast).

Leaving the brewery, we headed into Yattendon, through the village, and then out the other side. As we made our way to Ashampstead, we passed through a number of wheat fields - some ready for harvest and others already harvested.

We had a quick stop at the Cassy Fields farm shop, mainly to use the facilities, before crossing a field to the 12^th century church of St Clemet's. It contains some impressive medieval wall paintings, painted over during the Reformation and rediscovered in the 19^th century.

From there, we followed Pinfold Lane, which soon became a track. It was sheltered by trees, which was a relief, as the day was heating up. It reached 28°C by mid afternoon.

Both Jane and I had to wield our secateurs again, as the path through Ashampstead Common was very overgrown with brambles and nettles. This slowed us down a bit.

The route got easier as we reached Calvesleys Farm and the paths were pretty good again for the final leg, back to Yattendon, this time arriving through the church gardens. We then retraced our steps back to the brewery, where some of us stopped off for a well-earned drink. See our route on Google Maps.

Thanks go to Jane for organising the breakfast and leading the walk.

Walk 652 - River Kennet and Sulhamstead Bannister

On Sunday 4^th August, the weather was a bit cooler than of late, only around 18°C at 10 o'clock when fifteen of us assembled on the outskirts of Theale for a short walk around Sulhamstead Bannister, featuring a section of the St. James' Way.

We started by crossing the railway and following the River Kennet to a weir on the Kennet & Avon Canal. We crossed the weir on a footbridge and followed the canal for a short while, passing two locks before leaving it for a footpath passing fishponds. A short bit of road and a footpath then brought us to the hamlet of Whitehouse Green.

Another short bit of road walking took us to Home Farm where we joined the St James' Way, which we followed as far as Sulhamstead Bannister. Here we stopped in the grounds of St Michael's Church for a short break. The church no longer exists - all that remains is the porch, which is fully in tact, complete with benches at the sides and an oak panel door. But there is nothing the other side of it other than grass!

Next came a footpath through Folly Farm. This path was very overgrown with brambles and nettles, so Jane and myself - armed with secateurs - cut back anything that blocked the way. The path got so bad, we had to take a diversion along the edge of a field.

A short bit of road and a footpath across meadow brought us back to the Kennet & Avon Canal at Sulhamstead swing-bridge. We crossed it and joined the same bit of towpath that we'd used earlier. The rest of the walk was a matter of retracing our outward route over the weir, along the River Kennet and over the railway, back to where we'd started. See our route on Google Maps.

Thanks go to Jane for leading this walk and Rob for writing it up.

Walk 651 - Lily Hill Park and Picnic

Sunday 28^th was a warm summer's day, reaching 25°C by afternoon. A perfect day for a short, mostly woodland walk and a picnic. Ten people attended this walk, including two who have started walking with us recently and a newcomer, trying us out.

Lily Hill Park is a Green Flag award-winning 23-hectare public open space, located to the north east of Bracknell. As well as many well-marked trails through its grounds, it is also home to a number of impressive wood carvings. These include the Green Man, the Story Telling Throne, and the Amphitheatre. Lily Hill Park is home to the worlds largest picnic table and benches, which is said to be able to seat 80 people!

The route taken by the leader, Kathy, included a number of shaded areas and the pace was sensible for the warm weather. Our route passed behind Martin's Heron station into Swinley Park, part of Windsor Great Forest, and on to Englemere Nature Reserve, returning via Longhill Park.

Four of us stayed for the picnic afterwards, sharing the giant picnic table with two nice families, one a large Romanian group celebrating a 30^th birthday in style.

Thanks go to Kathy for leading this walk and providing the photos.

Walk 650 - Kinbury to Newbury Linear Walk

Saturday 27^th July was bright and sunny, with a pleasant breeze as we set off from Kintbury Station on our linear walk. Our route took us Northwards along Station Road out of Kintbury then along footpaths towards the A4. A deer was running ahead of us as we turned alongside the chicken farm.

We paused for elevenses after crossing cornfields with poppies, to enjoy the clear view back towards Inkpen and Combe Gibbet where some of us had walked a few weeks ago. We then walked through the woods in the BBOWT managed Sole Common pond Nature Reserve before stopping for an early lunch, taking care not to dislodge a rather precariously balanced dead tree.

There was local honey for sale in Boxford, where we joined the Lambourn Valley Way, getting occasional glimpses of the clear, shallow chalk-stream. At Bagnor, by kind permission of the landowner, we walked along the Riverside and saw several trout. We also learned that male mallard ducks change their plumage in summer and look very similar the females.

Following the Kennet and Avon Canal into Newbury centre, there was drama unfolding as we saw an unfortunate pigeon flying into a branch and falling into the Canal. An expert rescue operation involving a local fishermen's keep-net and Paul, a new walker with the group, who had clearly done this sort of thing before, carrying the pigeon to a safe, quiet spot to dry out. There was well earned tea, cake and milkshake in the Canal-side cafe afterwards before we headed for Newbury Station. See our route on Google Maps.

Thank you to everyone who came along and made it such an enjoyable day out!

Thanks go to Ruth for leading this walk, providing the snacks and for writing it up.

Walk 649 - Newbury and Hamstead Park

On Sunday 14^th July, we had a joint walk with the Pang Valley Ramblers, led by one of their members, Pete. There were 20 of us in total, mostly BWWs with a few PVR members and a member of the West Berks Ramblers. It was a pleasant day for walking, reaching 20°C in the afternoon with some cloud and sunshine.

We set off along Moor Lane and followed the Lambourn Valley Way to Speen, passing through the grounds of St Mary's Church. The original route of this walk would have crossed under the A34 but this was flooded, so we had to take a diversion and follow the A4 over the A34 before taking a footpath through Benham Park.

Pete knows the area well, and would often give us a bit of background information on each significant point of the walk. For instance, he told us that the 18^th century landscape of Benham Park was designed by Capability Brown.

Leaving the park through pasture, we came across farmer was trying to heard a calf that had escaped from an enclosed field. We tried to help, but were unsuccessful.

Crossing the railway line, the River Kennet and the Kennet & Avon Canal at Marsh Benham, we entered Hamstead Park. This 700 acre park was for 300 years the seat of the Earls of Craven. We followed a tarmacked driveway through the park, passing some fishponds and a motte that would once have supported a wooden fortification.

We stopped for lunch in the park, using a couple of large fallen trees as benches.

Leaving the park, we passed through Avery's Pightle nature reserve before crossing the A34 on a bridge to Wash Common. Here our leader told us a bit about the First Battle of Newbury, part of the First English Civil War, which took place here in 1643. He also mentioned the Second Battle of Newbury, that took place in Speen, which we had passed through earlier on the walk.

We skirted the common before following Bonemill Lane over the railway line and down to the canal. This we followed into Newbury, crossing it at Monkey Bridge. No explanation was offered as to how this bridge was named. It was then a short walk across Northcroft Park back to the car park. See our route on Google Maps.

Thanks go to Pete for leading this walk and Rob for writing it up.

Walk 648 - Kintbury, Walbury Hill and Combe Gibbet

The forecast for Saturday 6^th July was for frequent heavy showers and a moderate breeze. Nevertheless, thirteen keen walkers turned up at Kintbury for an 11 mile walk that included around 1,000 feet of ascent to the highest point in Berkshire.

The walk started by following the Kennet & Avon Canal going west from Kintbury. After less than a mile on the overgrown canal towpath, we headed south across fields and farmland to the village of Lower Green.

From Lower Green, it was a gradual and then quite steep ascent up Inkpen Hill. Getting our breath back, we continued along the ridge to Combe Gibbet. Here we stopped for lunch, watching the weather. We could see a heavy downpour to the west, gradually coming our way. We managed to finish our lunch just before the rain hit us. It didn't last long before blowing over.

Continuing our route along the ridge, we passed over Walbury Hill, the highest point in Berkshire, before descending to West Woodhay and then Inkpen Common.

We stopped at a café for tea/coffee and cake before heading north along footpaths and lanes back to Kintbury. All the way, we were putting on and taking off our waterproof jackets as the weather vacillated between rain and sunshine.

We arrived back in Kintbury, taking a footpath through the church grounds back to the canal. See our route on Google Maps. The sun was out as were setting off home, only to be replaced by very heavy rain on the homeward journey. Good timing!

Thanks go to Chris for leading this walk and to Rob for writing it up.