On Saturday 14th August, Jean-Paul led a nine mile linear walk from Hungerford to Newbury, with an option for people to join the walk at Kintbury for a shorter, six mile walk. I suspect that it being the holiday season, and that people are now able to meet up with friends they've not seen since lockdown, had led to the smaller than usual attendance. Only five people attended this walk.
The walk started at Hungerford station after a short delay. The train from Newbury, transporting our walk leader, had to wait for a steam train to use the line before it could set off. I was already at Hungerford and saw this train as it whizzed through the station. I could just make out the dining car, with its curtains, tables and lamps where passengers had no doubt enjoyed a first class breakfast a little earlier.
We joined the canal towpath, close to the railway station, and began the first leg of the walk to Kintbury. Two more people were joining us at Kintbury, and we were already late due to the train, so the first three miles were brisk and non-stop. The towpath switched sides at Dun Mill Lock, and now we were walking with the River Kennet to our left and the Kennet and Avon Canal on our right. No chance of getting lost here.
Passing under the railway, the next section was sandwiched between the railway line and the canal, and brought us to Kintbury Lock, were the other two walkers were waiting to join us. After a brief stop for a snack and to use the facilities at Kintbury, we continued along the towpath. The canal was noticeably busier here, and we passed the horse-drawn barge as it negotiated Dreweat's Lock.
At Hamstead Lock, the leader offered us an option for a pub-stop at The Red House in Marsh Benham. This would add less than a mile to the route, while providing a welcome change from the towpath as well as refreshment. The pub was a real delight, with a lovely pub garden, excellent real ales and friendly table service.
Returning to Hamstead Lock, we ate our packed lunches while watching a couple operating the lock and taking their narrowboat through. The final leg of the walk took us past Benham Lock, under the A34, past Guyer's Lock and into Newbury. Keeping a watchful eye on the time, we upped the pace toward the end of the walk and made it to the railway station with five minutes to spare before the hourly train took us back to Kintbury and Hungerford. See our route on Google Maps.
Thank you to Jean-Paul for leading the walk.
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