THE
WALK
Distance: 6.75
miles
Grid reference at start: SU476741
Time: 2-3 hours
Going: Easy
Parking: On the road sensibly in Chieveley and in the
car park at the Ridgeway at Bury Down.
BBC
BERKSHIRE WALKING AND SAFETY
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This
walk begins in Chieveley. You need to park up along the High Street
in the centre of Chieveley.
Then
head North away from the High Street and turn left up Manor Lane.
Turn
right, following the footpath signs.
Continue
on the path, with houses ahead of you to the right.
Take
the left turn signposted byway.
 |
| Quiet
country lanes like this one are all you'll cross on this walk,
it's mainly on footpaths. |
Turn
right onto the footpath, crossing the wooden stile into the farmer's
field. The path was overgrown with crops when we crossed it and
is quite tricky to follow. You need to head diagonally left across
the field.
You'll
reach a stile, go over this and follow the path along the fenceline
on the right.
When
you reach the road turn left.
Almost
immediately afterwards, turn right down the road signposted to Beedon
Common.
Follow
the footpath as it deviates left by a metal gate.
Stay
on this path, crossing Hayley Lane and passing some concrete bollards.
Take
the right turn off the footpath signposted Byway.
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| The
bluebells were certainly out when we walked this in May. |
Keep
on the main track.
Follow
the Byway sign on the left, taking you off the chalk track.
The
track will take you through the woods.
Continue
straight on as the path crosses another track.
Follow
the path with the fenceline on your right.
Where
several paths cross, continue straight ahead.
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| The
oil seed rape fields are a stunning sight. |
Then
you'll meet another crossroads on the track, turn left down the
public bridleway.
Follow
the bridleway round to the right.
Where
the bridleway meets the public footpath, go right staying on the
bridleway.
The
path swings right past Hodcott House, crossing over a cattlegrid.
Turn
left onto the road, and the road bears right into West Ilsley.
Turn
right onto the road and almost immediately left onto the cart track.
Past cottages on the left and as the track forks, keep to the track
on the left.
Take
the bridleway on the right, through the wooden gate.
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| If
you see Didcot Power Station straight ahead, you're in the right
place! |
Continue
following the path along the fenceline on the left, going through
another wooden gate.
Continue
following this path through another wooden gate.
As
you approach The Ridgeway you'll see Didcot Power Station straight
ahead.
Look
out for the car park to the left where you should have left your
second car.
You've
completed
Part Six of the Berkshire Way
Well
Done!
Berkshire
Way Part Seven
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