We are the Berkshire Weekend Walkers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
An escape perhaps from Christmas shopping, this is a scenic circular walk with expansive open views of the West Berkshire Downs and Southern Oxon.
We will head north-west out of the village of West Ilsley and reach via a track known as Old Street a place strangely called Lands End. Many fine open views will be seen during this early part of the walk. From Lands End we head north via a scenic valley to reach the ancient Ridgeway route. We then head west along the Ridgeway to The Lord Wantage Memorial monument. History note - Lord Wantage was a co-founder of what later became the British Red Cross Society.
A lunch stop will be had at the monument which will provide for good views over South Oxon. After lunch we start our return via tracks to Farnborough. One footpath on the pre-walk was slightly overgrown and is being reported for attention, on the day we may need to walk in the field next to the track. If the church is open we can see the stained glass window in memory of the poet laureate John Betjeman who resided in Farnborough. We then return to West Ilsley by one of several routes, depending on how muddy the early tracks are found to be on the day the route back may be varied with the distance overall ranging from approximately 10 to 11.75 miles.
The walk will start at 10:30am for outside The Harrow pub. Park considerately in Main Street, West Ilsley.
If we have recently had heavy rain, some of the return paths after Farnborough may be a bit muddy. As usual bring lunch and plenty of drink.
After the walk we have an option for a social drink at the Harrow pub, may be Christmas shopping ideas not yet purchased can be discussed.
The walk will start at 10:30am for outside The Harrow pub. Park considerately in Main Street, West Ilsley.
