# 🥾 Walk 586 - Fleet Pond and Pyestock Hill

Saturday 24th was another hot one. It was already 23°C when we started the walk and got to 27°C (80°F) by the time it finished. The route was well suited to the weather, as much of it was though woodland or along paths shaded by large trees. The walk started from Fleet railway station, making it accessible by public transport, too.

Eight of us set off on a footpath from the station that took that us along the western edge of Fleet Pond. There were a number of jetties and viewing platforms along the way. We stopped at one to look across the pond and while we were there, a few inquisitive ducks came to inspect us, no doubt hoping for food.

![Stopping on a landing stage on the western edge of Fleet Pond.](https://www.berksww.org.uk/scrapbooks/volume44/images/fleet_pond_1.jpg)

Fleet Pond is the largest fresh-water lake in Hampshire and is part of a 141 acre nature reserve. It contains many islands, allowing birds and waterfowl to nest away from foxes and other land-based predators.

We stopped at a place called Sandy Bay were a dog owner was letting her dogs cool off in the water. Then we followed the Pond Tail stream up to the Basingstoke Canal. Following the towpath westward, we crossed under a very low bridge carrying the A323 Norris Hill Road before leaving the canal for the Forest of Eversley.

![Entering the Forest of Eversley from the north.](https://www.berksww.org.uk/scrapbooks/volume44/images/forest_of_eversley.jpg)

Zig-zagging through the mixed forest and heath, mostly sticking to shady paths, we stopped at The Foresters pub for some cooling drinks before continuing our trek through Norris Hill to a roundabout over the Basingstoke Canal.

After crossing the complicated roundabout we entered more forest at Pyestock Hill. We found a suitable place to stop and eat our packed lunches, avoiding the many ant-hills in amongst the trees. Although wood ants are quite big, they don't seem at all aggressive and left us alone. After lunch, we continued through the forest.

![Watching the ducks at Boathouse Corner on Fleet Pond.](https://www.berksww.org.uk/scrapbooks/volume44/images/fleet_pond_2.jpg)

Leaving the forest for heathland, we were now more exposed to the sun, but there was a gentle breeze. It was also starting to cloud over a little, which helped. Our route soon led us back into woodland and before long we were following a path along the eastern edge of Fleet Pond. My original walk design would have returned to the station along a more exposed path, so this was unfamiliar territory to me. Matt, a recent joiner, knew it well and confirmed I was on the right paths.

Our path joined up with other paths on the north-east corner of the pond at a place called Boathouse Corner. Here we stopped to admire the views before heading back into the eastern end of the station car park. See our route on Google Maps.

![Looking south across Fleet Pond from Boathouse Corner.](https://www.berksww.org.uk/scrapbooks/volume44/images/fleet_pond_3.jpg)

*Rob led this walk and wrote it up.*

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