The Water Meadows Walk (Original walk information from 2012)

Approximately 3.8 miles2.5 hours

(or 7.8 miles if linked to the ‘Two Pubs, Two Churches walk)

Map Ref:  578 624 at start of the walk.

This is a pretty and varied walk through woodlands and meadows that are sites of Special Scientific Interest.  However, walkers are advised to wear boots at any time of year – it can be muddy!  The walk also includes some road crossings, so please take care.

Start at the Hurst Leisure Centre in Brimpton Road, and turn left along Brimpton Road, pass Hazel Green on the left, and at the layby cross the road to the bridleway.

Proceed along the bridleway onto Inhurst Lane.  Turn right, and then left onto a footpath.  Keep the buildings on the left and carry on into the woodland and downhill.  At the bottom is a plank walkway, cross, turn leftover the stream and up through woodland on the other side, uphill to a junction of paths.  Keep right, and there will soon be a wire fence on the right.  Continue along to exit into a field.

Follow the bridleway diagonally across the field, (ignoring the white notices on the far right of the field), then down through a tree belt to a water meadow, and a bridge over the brook.

Cross the bridge into woodland, and after about 200m find a waymark post on the right.  Follow this path through the woodland, over a gulley, to a waymarked path junction, and turn right and continue straight on through the woodland downhill towards the meadows.  Go through a gate into the meadow.  The path becomes a little indistinct here, but walk in a left direction, heading for a large clump of bushes by the stream.  Just past the bushes, the path continues right across the stream (which goes underground), to a bridge with a stile.  The path turns left and continues through the meadow.  Cross a bridge to the left of a gap in the trees, and thence to Ashford Hill Road.  ‘The Ship Inn’ is 100m on the right for refreshments.  For opening hours, visit their website:  http://www.theshipinnonline.co.uk.

To continue the walk cross the busy road with great care into Old Lane opposite.  Proceed for 100m, turn right at the footpath sign, and at the end cross the bridge following the waymarked path.  Follow this path across the meadow, over a stile, turn left then follow along keeping the hedgerow on the right, over a plank bridge and diagonally left to a stile. 

Continue on the path, keeping woodland to the right, and exit onto Blacknest Lane at the Oxford Bridge.  At this point, if you cross the road, the walk can be extended by joining the ‘Two Churches, Two Pubs’ walk towards Brimpton, marked by an asterisk at the same point.

Turn right and walk up the lane for about a mile, all uphill, to join with another lane at the top of the hill.  Cross over to the Ashford Hill Road.  Turn left and cross the road at The Pineapple Inn. 

http://www.foodanddrinkguides.co.uk/newbury/pineapple/restaurant/1953

Walk in the same direction, and then take a path just past the gate of the playing field.  This path will exit onto Little Aldershot Lane, keep walking ahead.  At the road junction turn right, and then, after about a quarter of a mile, turn left into Stokes Lane.  Pass a row of houses on the left and exit onto Brimpton Road.  Cross the road and turn right to return to the Leisure Centre.

Please help with updating the information on this walk.  This walk needs to be updated from the original 2012 version and if you follow this walk and notice a nice detail (an "instance of delight”) please send in images that we may use and a description of the item and where it is located.  Or if a walk reminds you of a personal anecdote, please sent it in to us.  The email address to use is in the below QR Code.  Just point your device camera at it and an email will automatically be addressed and prepared for you.  We will regularly update this walk with contributions from the community.