{"id":"6984796d533dbb4b73118b6a","title":"Walk 59 Lambourn Downs","path":"walks/scrapbook/by-year/2013/volume-5-jul-to-sep-2013/walk-59-lambourn-downs","contentMarkdown":"# 🥾 Walk 59 - Lambourn Downs\n\nSunday 14th July was another hot day. It was 24°C when we set off from Lambourn and it was 29°C by the time we returned, mid-afternoon. What a difference from last summer!\n\nThis was a repeat of our first ever walk, which we did a year ago. We only had eight people on the walk this time round, which was three more than last time but still lower than our usual turnouts. Maybe Lambourn is too far to go for a 7 mile walk or maybe it was just too hot for a walk with 300m (980ft) of ups and downs.\n\nAnyway, we started off from the free car park in Lambourn and toured through the village, passing the sports ground before crossing the river Lambourn on our way. The river looked quite low, reflecting the recent lack of rain.\n\nWe then turned north-east up on to the Lambourn Downs. This uphill stretch gained 70m of altitude in 1.5km of walking, which got us warmed up! Once up on the downs, the light breeze was as appreciated as the view. Turning north-west and then east we followed a track along Eastbury Down.\n\n![Crossing the gallops on Eastbury Down, near Lambourn.](https://www.berksww.org.uk/scrapbooks/volume5/images/eastbury_down.jpg)\n\nThis was quite pleasant until we took a turning south, along an overgrown cutting through woods. By overgrown, I mean nettles, brambles and thistles! It wasn't long before those wearing shorts were cursing my chosen route. I did my best to tread down the pathway ahead of them but wasn't entirely successful.\n\nWe were soon out in the open again and were passed by an adult and two children on ponies, on their way to use the gallops. There were no race horses around so they had the circuit to themselves.\n\nAfter we'd crossed the gallops and were well on our way to the village of Eastbury, we stopped for our picnic on a high point on the path through Eastbury fields. There was a bit of breeze and some shade from a tree. From our vantage point we could see across the Lambourn valley to Membury, identifiable by its transmitter mast.\n\nAfter lunch we continued south, crossing the Lambourn Valley Way, to Eastbury village and the Plough Inn. The place had received a makeover since our last visit, including new decking and fences. Very smart!\n\n![Crossing a wheat field between Cleeve Wood and Stoney Lane.](https://www.berksww.org.uk/scrapbooks/volume5/images/cleeve_wood_field.jpg)\n\nOur thirsts slaked, we crossed the river Lambourn again and headed south-west (and uphill) toward Cleeve Wood. Following the edge of the wood we appreciated the shade it afforded. From there we crossed Stoney Lane and followed White Shute back to Lambourn. This track was tree-lined for some of the way, giving some relief from the sun.\n\nOn our return to Lambourn we visited a corner shop and bought ice creams before going home. See our route on Google Maps.\n\n![Getting a bit of woodland shade on Stoney Lane.](https://www.berksww.org.uk/scrapbooks/volume5/images/stoney_lane_wood.jpg)\n\n## 📸 Back to Volume 5\n\nReturn to volume index","contentHtml":"

🥾 Walk 59 - Lambourn Downs

\n

Sunday 14th July was another hot day. It was 24°C when we set off from Lambourn and it was 29°C by the time we returned, mid-afternoon. What a difference from last summer!

\n

This was a repeat of our first ever walk, which we did a year ago. We only had eight people on the walk this time round, which was three more than last time but still lower than our usual turnouts. Maybe Lambourn is too far to go for a 7 mile walk or maybe it was just too hot for a walk with 300m (980ft) of ups and downs.

\n

Anyway, we started off from the free car park in Lambourn and toured through the village, passing the sports ground before crossing the river Lambourn on our way. The river looked quite low, reflecting the recent lack of rain.

\n

We then turned north-east up on to the Lambourn Downs. This uphill stretch gained 70m of altitude in 1.5km of walking, which got us warmed up! Once up on the downs, the light breeze was as appreciated as the view. Turning north-west and then east we followed a track along Eastbury Down.

\n

\"Crossing

\n

This was quite pleasant until we took a turning south, along an overgrown cutting through woods. By overgrown, I mean nettles, brambles and thistles! It wasn't long before those wearing shorts were cursing my chosen route. I did my best to tread down the pathway ahead of them but wasn't entirely successful.

\n

We were soon out in the open again and were passed by an adult and two children on ponies, on their way to use the gallops. There were no race horses around so they had the circuit to themselves.

\n

After we'd crossed the gallops and were well on our way to the village of Eastbury, we stopped for our picnic on a high point on the path through Eastbury fields. There was a bit of breeze and some shade from a tree. From our vantage point we could see across the Lambourn valley to Membury, identifiable by its transmitter mast.

\n

After lunch we continued south, crossing the Lambourn Valley Way, to Eastbury village and the Plough Inn. The place had received a makeover since our last visit, including new decking and fences. Very smart!

\n

\"Crossing

\n

Our thirsts slaked, we crossed the river Lambourn again and headed south-west (and uphill) toward Cleeve Wood. Following the edge of the wood we appreciated the shade it afforded. From there we crossed Stoney Lane and followed White Shute back to Lambourn. This track was tree-lined for some of the way, giving some relief from the sun.

\n

On our return to Lambourn we visited a corner shop and bought ice creams before going home. See our route on Google Maps.

\n

\"Getting

\n

📸 Back to Volume 5

\n

Return to volume index

\n"}