We are the West Berkshire Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Neil L.
A circular walk taking in the ups and Downs of the Berkshire Downs.
The route sets out from the car park at the Monument to Major Philip Musgrave Neeld Wroughton of Woolley Park, situated on the A338 Wantage to Hungerford road.
Initially the route is south east, via South Fawley, with the (unlikely) event of clement weather one can take in views across Wantage to the north, the Lambourn Downs to the south and the Berkshire Downs to the west. There are a number of "Neolithic" barrows along the way.
Following farm tracks and country lanes the route joins the Lambourn Valley Way (LVW), briefly walking alongside the river Lambourn, before climbing back north towards Chaddleworth and Brightwalton to return to the car park by way of Woolley Down itself.
There are 2 stiles to negotiate and 3 squeeze stiles, all of which are in reasonable repair. Given the nature of the LVW there is a chance that there will be muddy conditions along the section where the path directly adjacent to the river. Other sections of the route do pass over worked fields, these are however passable despite the route not having been re-instated. Elsewhere the underfoot conditions are good. The line of the walk does traverse the West Berks Golf Club, crossing fairways and approaches to a number of greens. In addition, the busy A338 to be will crossed twice.
This a downland walk and as such is mostly exposed to the elements, participants should therefore be suitably equipped.
Livestock, sheep and horses, are present, as are electric fences to contain them.
There will be be a morning and lunch break, shelter is not available. Please bring appropriate food and drink.
The walk is limited to 16 walkers, please book online, using the the link before 6pm on Wednesday16th April.
Car park adjacent to the Monument on the A338 Wantage to Hungerford road, at the T junction to South Fawley. Please park considerately and ensure that access to farm gates is not denied, this can be a busy field access point. (Vehicles are allowed to park with the approval of the landowner.)
