We are the West Berkshire Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Neil L.
A 12.7 mile circular walk starting in the village of Vernham Dean, climbing north out of the car park and the village / valley, heading towards Vernham Street and Little Down to join the Pewsey Vale Circular Walk (PVCW) route and its many tumuli. Heading west, we continue on downland to reach Oxenwood, and enjoy a morning break - hopefully with views. Turning south, we stay on the PVCW on our way to Hippenscombe, crossing the old Roman Road and continuing to Chute Standen, pausing for lunch at Chute Cadley. Here, we turn north east, via minor roads between The Chutes, Tangley Bottom and the final ascent to the downlands. The route passes through Well Bottom and Forty Acre Wood, where on exiting the woodland, we cross more downland at Conholt, enter woodland at Thornycombe Copse to return to Vernham Dean. If the weather is kind there are some stunning views to be had.
The route is challenging given that it is a mix of downland, woodland and track walking with some 1,600ft of ascent / descent in potentially wet conditions.
The underfoot conditions are typical of chalk downland with a mix of well surfaced tracks and paths, open footpaths on the downs and possible wet areas in the vale. Conditions are always changing with the weather, please note that some tracks, previously rough and hard on the ankles, are now holding rainwater and slippery. The walk is mostly exposed to prevailing weather conditions.
There are 5 stiles, mostly of poor quality.
There is a upper limit of 20 walkers, please register via the website link by 6pm, Wednesday, 12 November.
Car parking is in the public car park linked to the recreation ground. This is adjacent the local primary school and is well used, car sharing would therefore be appreciated.
