We are the Berkshire Weekend Walkers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
The car park may be found off Ibworth Lane which is a lane off from the village green opposite the church. OS Map SU 542555. If turning off the A339 road from Newbury, Ibworth Lane will be on your left as you see the green on your right. The parish council web site advises "The parish welcomes groups of walking enthusiasts of all ages to come to Hannington to enjoy the excellent circular walks and countryside views. Parking for walkers is available in the car park at Michael's Field, - please avoid parking around the village green"
The walk starts at 10.30am.
We depart Hannington, sometimes known as the hidden village for reasons that will become clear on your arrival, via the village green into a very open landscape offering some great views over an area immortalised in Richard Adam's book Watership Down. The walk includes a section of the Wayfarer's Walk, a 71 mile long distance walk from Walbury Hill, Berkshire, to Emsworth, Hampshire.
A fairly early lunch stop will be had around midday with a view over Kingsclere.
After lunch, we drop down, fairly steeply at one point, into the village of Kingsclere, walk through the village and then return to Hannington passing Andrew Balding's Park House stables before a climb up Cottington's Hill and more views of the Kennet valley to the north.
As usual, bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink.
It is recommended that warm layered clothing me worn as some of the walk is fairly exposed at 200m+ height.
After the walk we have the option of visiting The Vine pub which is near the green for a social drink.
