Today I am doing a favour for a mate and dropping him off at a pub so he can meet up with a few of his friends for lunch. This is no hardship to me because after dropping Stuart off I can lace up my boots and explore a part of the Hampshire countryside I have not previously walked.
The starting point for my walk is the playing field car park in the village of Ashford Hill (Grid Ref SU 555 621). Leaving the car park I head north along the side of the playing field and soon join a hedge lined footpath path on the edge of the playing field which leads towards Old Lane.
On reaching the lane I turn left and head away from the village towards Woodhouse Lane.
On reaching the road I turn right and then after a couple of hundred yards I take a footpath on the left which is marked by a fingerpost.
This path forms part of the Brenda Parker Way, which is a 78-mile long distance footpath between Aldershot and Andover. Apparently for many years Brenda had a major influence on the Hampshire Ramblers Association. She lobbied for access to land and claiming rights of way under The Countryside Rights of Way (CROW) Act.
The section of the trail I am now on leads besides fields heading for the River Enborne.
At a junction of paths I turn right onto a track and follow this to cross the river at Park Gully Bridge.
I stay with the track for a few hundred yards until I reach a footpath on the right, I take this and head diagonally across a field towards Hyde End Wood.
The footpath goes along the side of the woods with the garden of a property to the left. I then stay with the way-markers to reach a lane (Hedge End Lane) and turn right to follow it until I reach a three way junction of footpaths here I turn left and follow the path in a northerly direction towards Brimpton.
At a fork in the path I go to the right and continue on the path to reach the church where I stop for lunch on a convenient bench in the churchyard. Despite looking old this church was actually built in 1869, however, one of the church bells does date back to 1624.
From the church I take the footpath on the southern side of the graveyard and head in a southerly direction towards a road. Just before reaching the road I take a footpath on the right heading along the edge of a field towards the River Enborne.
At a junction of paths near to the river I go left to cross a stream and then follow the path as it continues south close to the river.
It is a pleasant afternoon for walking, but I haven’t seen any other walkers since setting off. The path I am on is clearly well walked so it is surprising that no one else is around. On reaching a footbridge I cross the river and enter Inwood Copse.
The path continues through the woods close to a stream to reach a minor road which I cross and continue heading south besides woodland.
After crossing a stile the path continues besides paddocks and then enters Ashford Hill close to Brook Farm.
At a junction of tracks I turn right into Old Lane. Reaching the point where I left the village playing field I turn left and head along the hedge lined path to the playing field and my starting point.
It has been a pleasant walk of just over five miles, so my timing is just about right to pop back and pick Stuart up from his pub lunch.
You can view this 5 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here
To follow my walk, you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map – 158 Newbury & Hungerford
15th June 2021
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2021)
All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it. To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.
Fantastic write up and an enjoyable read.