Newbury - Speen Moor - Marsh Benham - Enborne

Andrew Long

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Newbury - Speen Moor - Marsh Benham - Hamstead Park - Enborne

This walk does a complete loop of the market town of Newbury in Berkshire, which incidentally is well worth a visit for its shops, canal and historic market square. The walk is recommended for the sheer variety of landscapes – there should be something for everyone to enjoy.

Starting near the railway station, the walk passes through the centre of the town before heading off along the Kennet and Avon Canal. Passing over the Monkey Bridge (!) the walk leaves Newbury under the railway bridge of the now closed Newbury to Lambourn branch line, before later passing under the modern and controversial Newbury Bypass. Turning off the old A4 with its historical marker-post, the walk passes through the Marsh Benham Estate with its great views and landscaped park. The walk then passes through quiet country lanes before entering Hamstead Park with its lake, motte and more views. After visiting Enborne Church near to the site of the Civil War Battle of Newbury, it is through fields and along country lanes once more before returning to Newbury via the historic Bartholomew Hospital.

England - South England - Berkshire - Thames Valley

Features

Castle, Church, Great Views, Pub, Public Transport, River, Woodland

2/1/2021 - Andrew Long

Walk reviewed and updated following walk on 31 January 2021. When walked, the railway station car park was closed as it was being converted into a multi-storey car park. Station car parking can be found at Mayors Lane or other car parks mentioned in walk. There was plenty of mud/excess water and the underpass in WM06 was impassable so an alternative route through Speen village has been included which will increase length of walk but keep your feet dry.

2/24/2011 - Andrew Long

Reviewed and updated by Author on 20 February 2011.