# 🥾 Walk 609 - Northern Lanes, Warfield

On Saturday 4th November, eighteen ramblers gathered for a seven-mile circular walk, welcoming four members from the Berkshire Walkers. Such a large group was a surprise given the recent stormy weather and the forecast of more rain. However we were rewarded by sunshine and blue skies at the start and for the majority of our walk.

As expected we had to negotiate muddy tracks and flooded lanes throughout the walk, but didn’t have to make any detours.

![Some Shetland Ponies in Warfield.](https://www.berksww.org.uk/scrapbooks/volume46/images/warfield_shetland_ponies.jpg)

Starting from the Frost Folly Country car park we took the path to the far left corner following it gently downhill and small incline until reaching a right hand gate towards the church. Just after the Vicarage a path led us over three fields, passing by some tiny Shetland ponies, then over a boardwalk to the road at Wayne Bridge.

Across the road we picked up the next track across fields with views of Hayley Green Farm, the oldest dwelling in Warfield - originally the Old Manor House.

![Outside the church at Warfield.](https://www.berksww.org.uk/scrapbooks/volume46/images/warfield_by_the_church.jpg)

Emerging onto the road at Brockhill we turned left and after Planners Farm followed left footpath signs. Walking through enclosed paths through fields to reach the A330, crossed into Garston Lane leading down to a left turn then right into Hog Oak Lane and start of woodland. We past the enclosed nature reserve then turned into Ashmore Lane (reputedly one of the prettiest - though not in the present climate!). At the junction with Hawthorn Lane a right turn took us past Lordlands Farm, end of Cruch Lane and an old icehouse.

Emerging onto the A330 again we crossed and followed the right hand Hawthorndale bridleway leading to a pathway, over the A3095 into Pendry’s Lane downhill to the junction with Hazelwood Lane, with Westley Mill Ford directly in front. Here we crossed the side bridge to take lunch in a wooded area, and a timely shower invited itself.

![Entering Ashmore Lane.](https://www.berksww.org.uk/scrapbooks/volume46/images/ashmore_lane_tree.jpg)

Following refreshments we retraced back to Hazelwood Lane which is very long, the initial section required carefully placed boots and poles as there was significant flooding.

After a small stable yard and house, we turned left into Buckle Lane, passing more dwellings and on up to the Shepherds House pub.

![One of the many puddles on Ashmore Lane.](https://www.berksww.org.uk/scrapbooks/volume46/images/ashmore_lane_puddle.jpg)

Here some of the group stopped for a welcome drink, whilst others continued over the main A3095 into Bowyers Lane continuing uphill onto Weller’s Lane and back to the car park. See our route on Google Maps.

![Paddling along the flooded Hazelwood Lane.](https://www.berksww.org.uk/scrapbooks/volume46/images/hazelwood_lane.jpg)

*Thank you to Ann and Kathy for leading this walk and to Kathy for writing it up.*

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