We are the Winchester Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Steven L.
Setting out from West Ilsley we loop south-west through a mixture of woods, horsiculture and open countryside to our morning “coffee” stop at Farnborough. This is the section where we do most of the climbing on the walk. The ascent is gradual with nothing particularly steep. Along the way there should be very fine views to the south across the Kennet Valley to the North Hampshire Downs. Farnborough was once the home of Sir John Betjeman and hopefully the church will be open for us to admire the stained-glass window to his memory.
We then make our way across undulating country to the Ridgeway where we should enjoy even better views to the north across the Thames Valley.
After lunch we continue along the crest of the downs along the Ridgeway until we reach East Hendred Down where we gently descend via the gallops back to our starting point.
We walk mainly on paths and tracks, with some grass and some road. There are a small number of stiles along the route.
This is a picnic walk. Bring food and drink for a morning coffee break and lunch break, plus plenty of water (if ever summer arrives). There are no shops or other facilities en route but ...
... the walk ends in front of The Harrow pub in West Ilsley. From 1711 The Harrow was the original home of the Morland Brewery. Brewing may be long gone but hopefully the summer weather may be warm enough to persuade at least some of us to try their current offerings.
Please let me know if you want to join this walk. We will leave when all known walkers have arrived.
We meet by the duck pond opposite The Harrow pub at the west end of the village of West Ilsley. There is plenty of on-road parking close-by and back along the main road into the village.
