I think I'm not alone in finding it difficult to enjoy long walks in particularly hot weather. On Saturday 4th August, the forecast was for temperatures to reach 28°C in the afternoon, but our walk had a figure-of-eight route, meaning I could do the first half of the walk and leave before it got too hot.
Eight of us turned up for this 10½ mile walk in Crondall in Hampshire, which was a reasonable number for a Saturday, considering the predicted temperature and that we were a bit outside our usual Berkshire area.
We set off along Croft Lane, past the imposing Grade 1 listed All Saints Church, and out of the village heading south-west. Leaving the road as it became a farm track, we took a footpath along the edge of a recently harvested wheat field, now just stubble and cracked dry soil.
The footpath took us into Lee Wood, which gave us a bit of shelter from the sun. Emerging from the wood, the path took us past some expensive looking houses to a junction of two lanes. We stopped just before the path ended to take a drink from our water bottles. Then we followed one of the lanes.
We followed the lane past Montgomery's Farm and at Travers Farm we left it for a footpath through Thorn's Farm. Here we saw a couple of deer running across a field. I wasn't quick enough with my camera. Joining a track, which became a lane and then a road, we made our way back to Crondall.
Stopping in the grounds of the Village Hall, we ate our packed lunches while watching people setting up what looked like a summer fete. We left before it got going and went to the Plume of Feathers pub for a drink. After we finished our drinks, two of us said goodbye and went home, while the rest of the group began part two of the walk.
This involved heading east out of Crondall and through Oak Park Golf Course to Dora's Green. Turning round, the route continued through Clare Park Farm and up to Wimble Hill. I'm told the views were good but in some places the parched ground had cracks in it almost wide enough to swallow a walking boot!
The last part of the walk was on footpaths through farmland, heading north back to Crondall. All Saints Church, the highest point in the village, could often be seen on this last leg of the route. See the complete route on Google Maps.
Thanks to Mark B for leading the walk, Denise for providing the photos and Rob H for recording the route on his GPS.
Return to volume index