Walking Tips

1. Be prepared!

Most of the walks on this site are strolls and rambles that could be completed by most moderately fit walkers within 2-3 hours. Some are longer.

As with all walking you should take notice of the seasons and prepare accordingly.

We've been on some of these walks in the beautiful sunshine only to find ourselves in snow and hail by the mid-point.

Spring Walks

Take wet gear and food and drink - its the season of all weathers - including spring snows and it can change really quickly.

Summer Walks

Its the season for water bottles and drinks, even for a short walk your body will need fluids, make sure you take more than you need for the number of people in your party.

Autumn Walks

Just like Spring walks you can feel like you're walking in summer heat or winter drizzle! all weather gear is a useful addition!

2. Maps or Mobile?

Never ever rely on your mobile or smartphone as your sole map.

I always take a paper copy unless I'm really really confident on the route and never on the first attempt at a route.

Of course for local walks of less than a few hours you're going to be fine on your mobile device, switch off Mobile Data and Wifi/Bluetooth if you're concerned about battery duration.

If I'm following a website route then I normally grab screenshots of the route whilst safe at home on the wifi and use them from pictures instead of relying on the internet connection.

Comments

Ashampstead & Yattendon Circular Walk October 2020

This is a circular walk starting in the Berkshire village of Ashampstead. This walk is 4.5 miles and took just under 2 hours to complete. Yattendon, the halfway point is the home to a brewey and The Royal Oak pub. The village Post Office also does take out Tea and Coffee and has a small shop. Car Park Parking is beside the playing fields in the middle of the village, not sure if this is called Dog Lane or Holly Lane but you can't miss them. Co-ordinates are: 51.48849457075639, -1.187116681437046 if you look in Google Maps. The Route 1. Facing the playing fields turn right along the road until you reach Church Lane, turn left down Church Lane until you reach the church "St Clements". 2. Enter the churchyard and follow the path round to the back of the church building to a gate in the rear fence. 3. Cross the field and you'll emerge onto a road. Turn left. This is the road to a farm shop so will have traffic on it. Be Careful! 4. At the farm shop take the path right in ...

Farley Hill, Arborfield Cross Circular Walk, December 2020

This is a lovely short-ish walk of about 4 miles from Farley Hill to Arborfield Cross and back via Great Copse / Castle Hill. This walk initially follows the same route as a previous Farley Hill to Henry Street Nursery walk from this site but this variation changes the walk because of the opening of the new bypass in 2020. This route does not go to Henry Street! Car Park This route starts at the Playing Fields on Castle Hill, there is limited parking there but normally enough for one or two cars. The Route 1. Walk left down Castle Hill from the Playing Fields. 2. At Church Lane turn right (your first right after the entrance to Farley Hall gates. 3. After the Cricket Club take a left down the public footpath that borders the cricket pitch. 4. The path emerges onto Bunces Shaw (lane) turn right down this road. 5. After about 50 metres you come to a public footpath down to the left - it cuts behind a house - take this path. It's easy to miss - there is a finger post poin...

Aldermarston & Padworth College Circular Walk, November 2020

This a circular walk from Aldermarston Canal Wharf and around Padworth College. The walk is about 3.2 miles and took us about 1.5 hrs. There isn't a pub on the route but the Kennet & Avon Canal Wharf Visitor Centre has a cafe. Car Park This walk starts on in a small car-park at the back of the Canal Visitor Centre on Wharfside. We found parking was limited and there are only a couple of streets nearby where you can leave your car. Aldermarston train station is nearby over the road on Station Road but was empty when we went during Lockdown 2 - we assume its the locals not wanting to pay the parking charges. The Route. 1. From Mill Lane, looking at the school take the right-hand of the two stone tracks, passing the school on your left. The stone access track leads you between a number of houses and then on through a tunnel of trees. Continue past the trout farm on your right and, immediately after this, turn right onto the signed public footpath which leads you between tall fenc...

Tim's Local Walks

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