A varied gentle walk on footpaths and minor roads through woodland and open fields near Woolton Hill, West Berkshire.
Useful Info
- 6 miles/4.2 km circular
- Start point: Trade Street, Woolton Hill
- What3words: ///masking.expose.tastes
- Grid Ref: SU429618
- OS Explorer Map: 158 Newbury & Hungerford
- On-road parking
- Buses between Newbury to Andover stop in Trade Street, no Sunday service. See Stagecoach website for information
- One climb and descent
- No stiles, but several gates and kissing gates
- Some road walking and crossings
- Gets muddy in winter
- Refreshments: Rampant Cat at Broad Layings – a few minutes off the route at approx. 2 miles
- GPX: Click here to download
Route Directions
- From Trade Street take the footpath to the right beside Coopers Cottage, near the bus stop. This descends quite steeply between gardens and then passes through a wetland area using a board walk. Cross a small meadow – carpeted in daffodils in the spring – to another board walk through a wooded area. Walk alongside the garden of Garvards House, to come out into Fullers Lane.
- Turn right and follow the lane to the junction with the Woolton Hill to Ball Hill road and turn left. Take care: traffic can be fast here. Notice the majestic Wellingtonia tree opposite the junction.
- Just after the Woolton Hill sign, take the bridleway on your right, known locally as Hobbley Lane. You will come to a stream and the path continues along its bank until you reach the Tile Barn Row road and a bridge.
- Turn right and climb the hill on a broad grass verge. Follow this road all the way back to Woolton Hill road. Cross the junction into Trade Street and back to your starting point.