Out & About January 2018

Benham Hill What’s on Find out what’s happening in West Berkshire and the surrounding area, with concerts, theatre, fetes, lectures, exhibitions and markets to choose from. You can find more detailed listings every Thursday in Newbury Weekly News or online at www.newburytoday.co.uk to Reading A4 N

To book call 01264 736 444 www.esseborne-manor.co.uk There is a set 4-course menu with a glass of wine, coffee and petite fours. £28 PER PERSON Monday 29th January The Mysteries of Stonehenge by Graham Loxton-Best HOTEL & RESTAURANT Ladies Lunch Club Every last Monday of the month Esseborne hosts a Ladies Club where guests are entertained by interesting speakers after lunch.

Let’s go for a little walk

Lower Way

Nature Discovery Centre

START/ FINISH

Thatcham

Thatcham Lake

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Thatcham Reedbeds

Reedbeds

Thatcham Station

Bull’s Lock

Widmead Lock

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Kennet and Avon Canal

Lower Farm

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Wetland

River Kennet

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Chamberhouse Farm

Bowdown Woods Nature Reserve

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Woodland slopes

ITEMS BOUGHT -

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Golf course

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Control tower

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Bury’s Bank Road

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Greenham and Crookham Common

Heathland

W alk off the excess of the festive season with this six-mile meander, which takes you through areas of outstanding beauty, history and extraordinary wildlife. Suitable for the whole family. n Leaving the Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre, head south with the lake on your left. At the corner of the lake, head west across the junction of tracks, signed Reedbeds. When the track bears left, continue straight ahead along a small path under the electricity wires. n Follow the path through the reedbeds, crossing two small streams, until you reach the river and canal. At the canal towpath, turn right to go over a bridge. Pass the railway. Keep to the right along a track following the footpath sign until you come to a lake created from a disused gravel pit on the right. Continue on the track up the hill. n Turn into the car park for BBOWT’s Bowdown Woods Nature Reserve on your left. Take the path in the top corner of the car park and follow it up a slope between two banks until you reach a fence on your right. Follow the path

Look out for  Approximately 40 species of insect feed only on reeds. Look out for the bloody-nosed beetle that gets its name from emitting a blood-like substance from its mouth when it feels threatened.  The Old Bomb Site on the left of the path was used as a wartime munitions site. A military structure was demolished and the bricks left provide shelter for lizards, snakes and small mammals.  Near the control tower is a map and information about the common. The present tower was built in 1951 and updated in the 1980s. The tower is now a refurbished Grade II listed building.  Bulls Lock has been restored as an old traditional ‘turf-sided’ lock using modern materials. South of the lock, there is a ‘pillbox’, a Second World War defence structure. For more walking routes, or to post your comments and photos on this one, visit: www.newburytoday.co.uk/walkersguide

along the fence. When you reach a T-junction, turn right on a Tarmac path. n When you reach the car park, walk along the tarmac drive to Bury’s Bank Road. Cross the road onto Greenham Common. Turn left onto a small path through the gorse, heading for a flagpole. n Before going left, you might detour ahead to the old Airfield Control Tower. Re-join the walk at the flagpole, walking east along the common on a wide gravel track. After some distance, take the left fork and follow this path as it goes through the trees. Keep the lakes on your right until you come to a gate on your left. Cross the road and head down the gravel bridleway. Turn left at the metalled track and cross the River Kennet to Chamberhouse Farm. n Continue ahead between the hedges to the canal. Our walk turns left on the towpath, but you might detour right along the towpath to Monkey Marsh lock. Head back along the towpath to the next lock, Widmead. Just after, turn away from the canal through a gate. Cross the railway being extremely careful and walk straight ahead back to the centre where the walk ends.

Your local cancer charity, supporting you through your illness We’re here for you 01635 31542 office@newburycancercare.org.uk www.newburycancercare.org.uk Charity no. 1157796

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