A 20s and 30s Ramblers group.
A 10 mile circular walk, starting in the hamlet of Moss End, exploring lanes, tracks, farmland and woodland within the parish of Warfield and surrounding area.
Advance booking is not required, but if you plan on attending this walk, please indicate this on Meetup if you can (see Website link), so others can see that there will be plenty of people going.
Pace: medium.
Walk details
The walk starts from the free car park at Frost Folly Nature Reserve in Moss End, Warfield. Here, the previous arable fields have been developed by Bracknell Forest Council into wildlife meadows, hedgerow, scrubland and several small ponds providing a suitable habitat for declining farmland bird species.
We start our walk heading through the hamlet of Moss End and past Tickleback Row, before heading north along Hazelwood Lane. This lane is also used by horses and in the past I have known it to be quite muddy in places (you have been warned!). Reaching Paley Street it’s time to change direction and we’ll skirt around this village and Touchen-End, stopping for lunch in one of the fields.
After lunch we will head south along quiet woodland tracks before reaching Fernygrove Farm. The farm shop stocks a range of fine English cheeses, locally baked breads, seasonal fruit and vegetables, and locally sourced fresh meats including award-winning pork sausages! The café serves a range of sweet treats, homemade cream teas, delicious cakes; all served up with an expertly brewed coffee, or a pot of local loose leaf tea. Although likely to be busy on a Saturday lunchtime, hopefully there will be space in the café or garden for a stop to sample the offerings (this will obviously be weather permitting and dependent upon number of sign ups).
We will briefly retrace our steps along Hawthorn Lane, before heading off through Brock Hill and the village of Warfield itself. We pass St Michael the Archangel Church at this point. The building charts its origins back to 1016 when Queen Emma, the wife of King Æthelred the Unready decided to give "the vill and chapel" of Warfield to the See of Winchester.
Finally, it’s through Frost Folly nature reserve and back to the start point. There is an option for a pub stop at the Shepherds House in Moss End (a 5 minute walk from the car park and directly next to the bus stops). For anyone catching the bus, this pub should hopefully also serve as a pleasant “waiting room”.
Travel details
By public transport
The number 53 bus (Thames Valley Buses) runs from both Bracknell and Maidenhead and arrives at 11:04 (from Bracknell) and 11:01 (from Maidenhead). Trains and buses are also available from Reading to both Bracknell and Maidenhead. Get off the bus at Bowyers Lane bus stop and head down Bowyers Lane (opposite the Shepherds House pub). Frost Folly car park is on the left just after the road bends to the right – about 5 minutes’ walk.
By car
Free car parking is available at Frost Folly car park.
Notes
Frost Folly car park
