Meet at Newbury Racecourse station at 10.40am, after the arrival of the 10.12am departure from Reading. The walk leader intends to be on this train, if it is delayed, the start of the walk will be as well. This is a linear walk; please buy a return to Newbury Racecourse.
There is no car park at Newbury Racecourse station. If driving, please either park at Midgham station, where the walk will finish, and catch the same train to Newbury Racecourse at 10.29am, or please find somewhere to park considerately in the surrounding streets at Newbury Racecourse.
After walking past the racecourse, we will walk the full length of Greenham Common. During the Cold War this was both a major US Air Force base and the site of numerous anti-nuclear protests. After the Americans left it became parkland in 2000 and is returning to nature.
We will walk past the former cruise missile silos, recently used as a filming location for Star Wars! Leaving the common, we will then follow the River Enborne through some typically pretty Berkshire countryside with a mix of hills, fields and woods and the villages of Crookham, Ashford Hill and Brimpton. There is a possible pub stop at the Ship Inn in Ashford Hill – the walk leader will decide on the day. At the end of the walk we will go in the Rowbarge at Woolhampton. This large canalside pub serves a wide range of real ales and is a firm favourite of the Berkshire Walkers. It is also a very short walk from Midgham station, from where we will catch the train back to Reading.
Please bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink.
For those travelling from Reading that don’t have a Railcard, we will try to travel in groups to take advantage of the GroupSave discount – if you wish to do this, please meet at 9.45am prompt outside the Three Guineas pub and carry some change. The discounted ticket will cost around £4.35 (full price £6.60).
This walk is part of National Young Ramblers 2018. However, we would be delighted to welcome all people on this walk, whether you are attending our event or not.
Sat Nav: RG14 5UT or 51.3985 -1.3072
Grid Ref: SU483668