Burghclere 7 miles +

A circular walk starting from the Beacon Hill car park (off the A34) at 10.30am.  For those who are keen, there is the added option, before the start of the main walk, to climb up Beacon Hill where the views, weather permitting, are spectacular.  This includes a view to the NW towards Highclere Castle, home of the Carnarvon family: the Fifth Earl, of Tutankhamun fame, is buried at the top of the hill.  The climb up and down is just over a mile and takes approx 1 hour, so those wanting to add this before the start would need to set out from the car park by at least 9.30am.  The route is well marked.

The main walk crosses the A34 to Old Burghclere before heading North to reach the Carpenters Arms in Burghclere for lunch, before returning by a different route to the start.  The walk is mainly along well worn tracks and paths, which, given the time of year, are muddy and wet in places, so poles are advised. The distances for the main walk are 4 miles in the morning and 3 miles in the afternoon.  There will be a coffee stop mid-morning.