{"id":"6984794b533dbb4b731188ab","title":"Walk 369 Newbury S Secret Garden","path":"walks/scrapbook/by-year/2019/volume-27-jan-to-mar-2019/walk-369-newbury-s-secret-garden","contentMarkdown":"# 🥾 Walk 369 - Newbury's Secret Garden\n\nThere were fourteen of us for the walk on Sunday 24th February, which included four from the Berkshire Walkers 20s & 30s group, the walk leader being one of them! It was gloriously sunny all day, and quite warm for the time of year, as we explored Newbury's Secret Garden. This was a repeat of a walk Dan had originally led for the National Young Ramblers event last year.\n\nSetting off from Newbury railway station, we walked into town to the bridge over the Kennet and Avon Canal, where we joined the tow-path by the Lock Stock & Barrel pub. We followed the canal westward for about a mile before heading south along alley ways and footpaths on the outskirts of Newbury.\n\n![Leaving Newbury on one of the Berkshire Circular Routes.](https://www.berksww.org.uk/scrapbooks/volume27/images/leaving_newbury.jpg)\n\nWe then joined one of the many Berkshire Circular Routes found on Ordnance Survey maps of the area. This we followed to Skinners Green, where we crossed the A34 on a footbridge, and then through Enbourne into Hamstead Park. Here we left the Berkshire Circular Route and followed a path down to the lake, where we stopped for lunch. A picnic with a view.\n\nAfter lunch we continued through the park, leaving it by Hamstead Lock. Here there were plenty of youngsters navigating the Kennet and Avon Canal in their Kayaks with parents looking on from the safety of the tow-path. We had to weave our way past all the roof-racked people-carriers lining the narrow lane.\n\n![A nice place for lunch, by the lake in Hamstead Park.](https://www.berksww.org.uk/scrapbooks/volume27/images/hamstead_park.jpg)\n\nA lengthy bit of road walking took us through Marsh Benham, across the busy A4, and into Stockcross. Back onto footpaths again, we crossed the River Lambourne at Woodspeen and passed through the picturesque village of Bagnor. Crossing the A34 once again, we followed a wooded footpath that brought us out by Donnington Castle. Here we stopped for a look around.\n\nFinally, we walked back into Newbury along various roads, first residential, then Northbrook Street with all its shops, and Market Place. Here we split up, some heading back to the station and car park, while the rest of us popped into the Catherine Wheel for refreshment before doing the same. See route on Google Maps.\n\n![Canoeing, or is it kayaking, at Hamstead Lock.](https://www.berksww.org.uk/scrapbooks/volume27/images/hamstead_lock.jpg)\n\n*Thank you to Dan for leading this splendid walk for our group.*\n\n## 📸 Back to Volume 27\n\nReturn to volume index","contentHtml":"

🥾 Walk 369 - Newbury's Secret Garden

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There were fourteen of us for the walk on Sunday 24th February, which included four from the Berkshire Walkers 20s & 30s group, the walk leader being one of them! It was gloriously sunny all day, and quite warm for the time of year, as we explored Newbury's Secret Garden. This was a repeat of a walk Dan had originally led for the National Young Ramblers event last year.

\n

Setting off from Newbury railway station, we walked into town to the bridge over the Kennet and Avon Canal, where we joined the tow-path by the Lock Stock & Barrel pub. We followed the canal westward for about a mile before heading south along alley ways and footpaths on the outskirts of Newbury.

\n

\"Leaving

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We then joined one of the many Berkshire Circular Routes found on Ordnance Survey maps of the area. This we followed to Skinners Green, where we crossed the A34 on a footbridge, and then through Enbourne into Hamstead Park. Here we left the Berkshire Circular Route and followed a path down to the lake, where we stopped for lunch. A picnic with a view.

\n

After lunch we continued through the park, leaving it by Hamstead Lock. Here there were plenty of youngsters navigating the Kennet and Avon Canal in their Kayaks with parents looking on from the safety of the tow-path. We had to weave our way past all the roof-racked people-carriers lining the narrow lane.

\n

\"A

\n

A lengthy bit of road walking took us through Marsh Benham, across the busy A4, and into Stockcross. Back onto footpaths again, we crossed the River Lambourne at Woodspeen and passed through the picturesque village of Bagnor. Crossing the A34 once again, we followed a wooded footpath that brought us out by Donnington Castle. Here we stopped for a look around.

\n

Finally, we walked back into Newbury along various roads, first residential, then Northbrook Street with all its shops, and Market Place. Here we split up, some heading back to the station and car park, while the rest of us popped into the Catherine Wheel for refreshment before doing the same. See route on Google Maps.

\n

\"Canoeing,

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Thank you to Dan for leading this splendid walk for our group.

\n

📸 Back to Volume 27

\n

Return to volume index

\n"}