Bradfield Circular
Pub Walk + Woodland Walk + Countryside
County/Area - Berkshire
Author - Lou Johnson
Length - 7.2 miles / 11.7 km Ascent - 500 feet / 152 metres
Time - 4 hours 10 minutes Grade - easy/mod
Maps
Ordnance Survey Explorer 159 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Anquet OS Explorer 159 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Walk Route Description
Click image to see photo description.
A circular pub walk from Bradfield (Berkshire) exploring countryside and woodland north and west of the village. The route follows field paths and bridleways and includes areas of woodlands as well as farmland. Included in the walk is the village of Stanford Dingley where the 18th century Old Boot Inn is ideal for a pub lunch. The concluding section of the walk follows the River Pang which due to the underlying chalk may not be in flow.
The walk starts from the lane on the north side of St Andrew's church in Bradfield where limited parking is available (grid ref. SU603726). After parking walk east to the main road through the village and turn left. Cross the River Pang and 150 metres turn left along a tarmac drive with adjacent fingerpost. Follow the drive into a field and turn right along the hedge (on your right). Nearing the end of the hedge, walk diagonally across the field and maintain direction across the next field to reach a gate which leads onto Back Lane (grid ref. SU596728).
Cross the lane to the track opposite (Greathouse Walk). The bridleway leads into woodland. After 1.5 kilometres and 200 metres before the M4, turn left at yellow arrows (grid ref. SU585736) onto a footpath. The path continues through trees and exits onto Scratchface Lane at a gate (grid ref. SU578733). Turn right to where the lane bends right and turn left onto a grassy path heading south through trees to exit into a field. Turn right along the field with a hedge on your left. Continue to a kissing gate and a road. Turn right to Mazelands Farm. Just before the house turn left along a track (signed bridleway).
Follow the track for 400 metres and turn right by three gates (grid ref. SU567724) continuing along the bridleway. After 200 metres turn left (yellow waymark) and continue into House Leas Wood on the far side of the field. Turn left along a bridleway running south near the edge of wood. Leaving the trees, continue ahead passing Pangfield Farm to reach Bucklebury Road (grid ref. SU566716). Cross to the track opposite and continue for 400 metres. Turn left to join the Berkshire Circular Walk which to a road in Stanford Dingley with St Denys Church across the road to your left.
Turn right through the village passing the 15th century Bull In on your left. Reaching a lane on the right, turn left onto a signed footpath on the left beside a cottage. If you wish to visit the Old Boot Inn, turn right at this junction. The waymarked path continues down the Pang Valley passing the former watercress beds at Kimberhead Farm. Continue ahead to reach a lane (grid ref. SU519791). Turn right and then join the first signed footpath on the left. After running beside woodland, the path soon follows the River Pang back to Bradfield. The path leads into the lane by the church where the walk started.
Other walks nearby
Walk 1901 | Around Aldermaston | easy | 5.0 miles |
Walk 2275 | Lowbury Hill & The Fair Mile | easy/mod | 7.8 miles |
Walk 3484 | The Fair Mile & Unhill Bottom, near Streatley | easy/mod | 7.8 miles |
Walk 1847 | Silchester Common & Calleva Atrebatum | easy/mod | 6.2 miles |
Walk 2660 | Lowbury Hill & Roden Downs from Compton | easy/mod | 6.0 miles |
Walk 2344 | Newbury to Hungerford via Kennet & Avon Canal | easy/mod | 9.0 miles |
Walk 3082 | Sonning Eye & Shiplake circular | easy | 5.7 miles |
Walk 1508 | Hannington & Kingsclere circular | easy | 6.0 miles |
Walk 3413 | North Wessex Downs & Source of the Test | moderate | 15.0 miles |
Walk 2051 | River Thames & Hambleden from Henley-on-Thames | easy/mod | 7.0 miles |
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