We are the West Berkshire Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
A 12 mile circular walk, in part within the Mottisfont estate, in the heart of the Test Valley. The route takes in a number of parishes extensively mentioned in the Doomsday book.
Starting at the Spearywell car park the route is eastward heading towards East Dean, hopefully with a view over the former Dean Hill Royal Naval Armament Depot (RNAD) opened in 1941 for the storage, inspection and maintenance of naval armaments. Closed in 2004 the site also was a store for nuclear weapons, where in January 1987 a 20-ton lorry believed to be carrying nuclear weapons slid off an icy road and overturned near the depot.
Refreshments will be taken at West Dean before turning North to 'The Tytherleys' with lunch at St Peter's church which dates from the 1200's, and extensively remodelled in the 1830's. We will pass Oakland's Farm (International) Airport before returning via Blackpitts and Spearywell Woods.
The footing will be a mix of tracks, forest paths and field crossings. Recent heavy rainfall has resulted in some of these tracks being very wet and there are some sections which are either filled with rain water or mud, please ensure footwear is robust. Gaiters and walking poles are recommended for those who use them.
There are 12 stiles and 4 footbridges to be negotiated, some of questionable quality.
The number of participants is restricted to 16 (please register via the link below), refreshments for the day are a requirement and car sharing where possible is encouraged.
Parking is in the Spearywell car park, National Trust land which is a working woodland and part of a woodland restoration project. The (free) car park is off the B3084 on the right hand side (travelling south), just after Spearywell Farm. The entrance is partially hidden, opening out some 50 yards off the road.
