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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
Woolton Hill map