Walking Britain North Wessex Downs Walk
Lowbury Hill & Roden Downs from Compton
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer 170 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer 170 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 174 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 174 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
Walk Route Description
The rolling downland tracks on this Berkshire route can be enjoyed by walkers, cyclists and horse riders alike. The walk starts from the village of Compton, five miles west of Streatley, and takes in the ancient Roden Downs and beautiful hedgerows bustling with wildlife. The terrain is mostly downland tracks with stiles or gates. The walk uses a section of the Ridgeway, one of the oldest 'roads' in Europe.
The walk starts in the centre of Compton (grid ref. SU520799) on the High Street. Just east of The Compton Swan turn north into Horn Street. As the road bears left, turn right into Wallingford Road. Pass under the bridge that carried the railway line which ran between Newbury and Didcot and turn right on to a bridleway, towards a junction of tracks called Crows Foot. Turn left and after a short distance bear right.
At the next junction (grid ref. SU533805) take the left track that makes the central 'claw' of the crow's foot. Continue up the track towards the Ridgeway which you cross. Ahead and to the left rises Lowbury Hill. There are fine views from here and the remains of a Roman temple on the summit along with a previously unknown Roman military outpost.
At the next junction (grid ref. SU544826) turn left and follow this track to join the Ridgeway. Continue west along the Ridgeway. Shortly after walking across the bridge over a disused railway line you turn left and leave the Ridgeway. Follow the bridleway down a track for 600m and then bear right across a field. Rejoin the track, which then ends at a metalled road on the outskirts of Compton. Continue down the road bearing right, which will take you back to the High Street.
Other walks nearby
Walk 3484 The Fair Mile & Unhill Bottom, near Streatley - easy/mod - 7.8 miles/12.7 km
Walk 2344 Newbury to Hungerford via Kennet & Avon Canal - easy/mod - 9.0 miles/14.6 km
Walk 3572 Lambourn Valley from Great Shefford - easy/mod - 9.0 miles/14.6 km
Walk 3731 Chaddleworth from Great Shefford - easy/mod - 8.0 miles/13 km
Walk 1901 Around Aldermaston - easy - 5.0 miles/8.1 km
Walk 1737 West Berkshire downs from East Garston - easy/mod - 7.4 miles/12 km
Walk 1847 Silchester Common & Calleva Atrebatum - easy/mod - 6.2 miles/10.1 km
Walk 1508 Hannington from Kingsclere - easy - 6.0 miles/9.8 km
Walk 2063 Watership Down and Ladle Hill from the Sydmonton Estate - easy - 4.5 miles/7.3 km
Walk 3082 Sonning Eye & Shiplake - easy - 5.7 miles/9.3 km
Recommended Books & eBooks
Walking in the North Wessex Downs
30 walking routes exploring the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The routes are between 7km to 20km through this peaceful rolling chalk landscape covering parts of four counties: Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire, with descriptions to reach the highest points in each one.
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The Kennet and Avon Canal
Guidebook to walking along the Kennet & Avon Canal. The 94 mile route from Reading to Bristol is split into 7 stages of fairly easy walking and includes the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath and Bristol's Floating Harbour. 20 circular walks are also included, ranging from 4ΒΌ to 9 miles, taking in the best sections of the canal.
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