This 11 mile walk will celebrate my 50th led walk. We will walk across Watership Down and up and back down Beacon Hill
Walk details
The title of this walk is simple ‘My 50th Led Walk’. This is to celebrate after 5 years of being in the group I’m now leading my 50th walk – it seems so long ago now when I started leading walks!
This isn’t a flat walk, this will be challenging due to the 11 mile length and the up and down hills.
This walk will start from White Hill Car Park – Kingsclere (RG25 3EJ) at 10.00am. Unfortunately there is no public transport to the start of this walk – sorry. You will need to drive and park in the car park – unless you are able to car share. Parking is available on the road also there is a car park off the main road too.
We will start the walk from White Hill Car Park and walk across Watership Down (I’m sure we will see lot of rabbits!). As we cross the Down you will be able to see for miles (weather permitting) – the views from up on the downs are incredible! If its cold – please bring plenty of layers as it can get windy up there.
After crossing the Down we head over to Ladle Hill – again continuing with the great views. After passing Ladle Hill we start heading down hill towards the tiny village Burghclere. Passing through Burghclere, over the old Didcot to Southampton railway line (one for the train spotters amongst us – well no trains have been on the line for the last 60 years) and onto towards the A34.
After crossing the A34 we will start our climb up Beacon Hill – be aware the path up the hill can be muddy and slippery so please take care! Make sure you have sensible shoes on. Once at the top of Beacon Hill you can stop and again admire 360 degree views – giving you chance to catch your breath too! If you look carefully you will be able to spot Highclere Castle or should I say ‘Downton Abbey’ as most people will know it as.
While at the top of the hill you get the opportunity to bag a trig point (if your into visiting them – we do pass a 2nd on the walk too but when I pre-walked this the crops were too high to see it).
We will walk along the top of the hill to visit the burial ground for ‘George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert’ (what a great name!) but more commonly known as the ‘5th Earl of Carnarvon’ or even more well known as one of the people who discovered Tutankhamun tomb in Egypt.
As we descend back down Beacon Hill – please be careful! As mentioned earlier this could be muddy and slippery. We will take a slightly different route back as we go via Sydmonton Estate. This is the home to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber – hopefully we can say HI if he is home! (How cool would that be if we did get to see him!)
After Sydmonton Estate we start to make our way back up hill towards Watership Down and finish the walk back at the White Hill Car Park where we started!
As this is my mile stone walk for my 50th led walk it will be great to see everyone!
Travel details
None applicable
This walk will start from White Hill Car Park – Kingsclere (RG25 3EJ)
Notes
- If you or someone else from your household has COVID-19 symptoms, please do not attend.
- 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 25 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.
- If you have any queries, please email walkbookings@berkshirewalkers.co.uk.