Dorchester-on-Thames and Wittenham Clumps, 8 miles, moderate

On this walk we will climb the famous “Wittenham Clumps”, giving us panoramic views of the Oxfordshire countryside. We’ll start and end in the picturesque village of Dorchester-on-Thames which is worth taking the time to explore!

Walk details

We start the walk in Dorchester-on-Thames, a beautiful village with some lovely old buildings. We’ll head north from the car park, and then southeast out of Dorchester, through the Hurst Water Meadow Trust fields. Some of you may notice that you can see both Wittenham Clumps and the tree on the top of Brightwell Barrow from these fields! We’ll then cross the river Thame, and head west along the Thames path, until we reach the bridge towards Little Wittenham.

Soon after, we will reach Wittenham Clumps (https://earthtrust.org.uk/visit-us/wittenham-clumps/). These are a pair of hills with ‘clumps’ of Beech trees at the top – the oldest known planted hilltop beeches in England, over 300 years old. The two hills are called Round Hill and Castle Hill, also known as the Sinodun Hills. Other names have included “The Berkshire Bubs” – outdated as the hills are now in Oxfordshire, and “Mother Dunch’s Buttocks” after the lady of the Dunch family, who owned Little Wittenham Manor in the 17th century…

This walk is mostly flat, except for the walk up to the top of Wittenham Clumps, which I warn you, is quite a steep hill! We can take our time climbing it though, and we’ll stop for lunch and admire the view when we get to the top.

At the top of the hills, you can see for miles! You can also see where there used to be a hill fort, and there is a stone commemorating where the “Poem Tree” once stood. The Poem Tree was so-called because Joseph Tubb engraved a poem into the tree’s bark in 1844. You can read the poem on the stone which was placed there when the tree died in the 1990s.

On our way down from Wittenham clumps, you will be able to see Brightwell Barrow to the south. This is a Bronze Age round barrow, built to cover burial grounds. These days it simply looks like a normal rolling hill, but a single tree stands at the top, which looks quite striking against the fields which now cover the barrow.

We’ll then walk through Little Wittenham Wood, and head east through the fields towards Shillingford, until we reach Shillingford Bridge. This is a beautiful, listed stone bridge built in 1827. We’ll then walk back to Dorchester along the Thames path.

When we get back to Dorchester, you may want to visit the museum or the Abbey tea rooms, which are open from 2.30-5pm on a Saturday. There will also be the option to go for a well-earned drink in the pub. If you’ve never been to Dorchester before, I recommend at least having a quick look around – it’s very pretty!

Travel details

Take the X40 bus from Reading station at 9:50am, which arrives at Dorchester Bypass at 10:50am. It’s then about a 15-minute walk through Dorchester to the public toilets and car park, where we will start the walk. There are X39/X40 buses back to Reading every 30 minutes (usually :20 and :50 minutes past the hour).

Dorchester-on-Thames is about a 30-minute drive from central Reading. There is a small pay & display car park in Dorchester at the start point, but I’d advise you to car share with other people or use public transport if possible, as there is unlikely to be enough spaces for everyone.

Notes

• If you or someone else from your household has COVID-19 symptoms, please do not attend.
• You must follow all safety advice given by the walk leader.
• It is recommended that you bring hand sanitizer or gloves in case you need to touch gates/stiles/etc.
• Please be considerate to other path users and step aside to let people past – and don’t forget to say ‘hi’ or ‘thanks’!
• Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
• It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
• If it’s a rainy day, please bring waterproofs.
• If it’s a hot sunny day, please bring plenty of water and wear sun cream and a sun hat!
• Please feel free to contact the leader with queries about the walk, or if you are delayed on the day.

Booking details

• This walk is limited to 20 walkers including the walk leader.
• Do not turn up for the walk without booking, else we will have to turn you away.
• Book a place on this walk by completing this Google Form. Booking will open the Wednesday evening before the walk.
• We will only use the contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk, or to share if requested with NHS Test and Trace.
• If after booking, you need to cancel your place on the walk, please use the link in your walk booking confirmation email so that we can make your place available to someone else.
• If you have any queries, please email walkbookings@berkshirewalkers.co.uk.