A White Hart, a Swan and a Windmill, 9.5 miles, moderate

Calendar

When:

July 16, 2022 @ 4:30 pm

2022-07-16T16:30:00+01:00

2022-07-16T16:45:00+01:00

Where:

Bedwyn Railway Station
Bedwyn
Great Bedwyn, Marlborough SN8 3NZ
UK

Cost:

Free

Contact:

Dan H

Walk

Booking Required Circular evening medium pace moderate public transport Walk

A lovely summer’s stroll taking in possibly two pubs and the only working windmill in Wessex.

Booking is required for this walk, via the form here.

Pace: medium.

Walk details

This glorious late afternoon/early evening hike begins with us setting off along the easily navigable Kennet and Avon Canal, passing the Crofton Beam Engines. These two steam powered beam pumping engines housed here were used to supply water to the highest point of the canal. Sadly we will not have the chance to visit today as they will not be open.

After three miles or so we leave the peace and tranquility of the canal behind us and head to the village of Burbage for the first of our (hopefully) two pub stops. Hopefully if the heat is overbearing this should give us an opportunity to cool down.

We start our return journey back towards Wilton with hopefully cooling temperatures. Along the way we will pause to sit and have our “tea”, perhaps a sandwich, fruit and a snack or something similar. We will traverse over a few fields, nettles could be a problem, before arriving at Wilton for possibly our second pub stop to slake our thirst. This is subject to our group’s progress. Here it is no more than a couple miles back to the start so we can adjust time spent in the pub to fit in with the suitable connecting train (hopefully the 9.25pm)

The fun has not ended there as we hope to pause for a few minutes, time permitting, at Wilton Windmill which is still producing wholemeal, stone-ground flour. From there we will hit upon and descend the well-made Bedwyn Brail to the end.

There is no planned option for dinner. The walk leader intends to eat their substantial meal earlier in the day at home after the conclusion of the morning Ewelme walk. If anyone is up for the challenge come and join me for both walks but it would be equally lovely to see you for one.

Travel details

By public transport

The walk leader intends to catch the 15:11 service from Reading, changing at Newbury, from where it is the 16.01 to Bedwyn (which is in the Network Railcard zone).

By car

There is plenty of free parking available at station.

Notes

If you or someone else from your household has COVID-19 symptoms, please do not attend.
Please bring a packed “lunch”/“tea” and a drink.
Please feel free to contact the leader with queries about the walk, or if you are delayed on the day.

Booking onto a walk

Most walks do not require advance booking, and you can just turn up on the day. We encourage those comfortable with Meetup to indicate there that you plan to come though, so that others can see there will be plenty of people there – this really helps to encourage new members to come along.
For the few which still have limited numbers, this is handled via Meetup. Follow the link to a walk’s Meetup page (or press 🎟 Register / 🎟 Tickets / 🎟), and mark yourself as attending.
Social and other events may have their own booking system – please see the event description.

Pace Guide

Gentle: led at a gentle pace with regular short breaks for water or rest. Should be suitable for anyone capable of the distance. (Expect 2–2.5 mph.)
Medium: led at an intermediate pace with fewer breaks but still suitable for most walkers. (Expect 2.5–3 mph.)
Fast: led at a quick pace with minimal breaks. May be a challenge for those with less fitness. (Expect 3 mph+.)

Speeds quoted are only a rough guide, including time spent on short water/rest stops and negotiating stiles/gates/roads etc. but not that spent on longer lunch or pub stops.