Farley Hill - Chill Hill - River Blackwater - Farley Hill

Andrew Long

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If you are interested in a walk in the country with few hills to climb, this is the one for you. Starting in the village of Farley Hill south of Reading, the walk takes in quiet, woody lanes and trails. Next is a walk up Chill Hill (where you can Chill!) and look out for Reading landmarks in the distance. You later pass through Wheeler's Copse with its birdsong before encountering the lush meadows next to the River Blackwater. On the way back near Greenacres Farm, check out the red kites which have headed south from the Chilterns. The walk concludes with yet more woodland walking and open fields.

The lanes are quiet and the signposts well-defined. Please be aware that some of the byways can be a bit muddy (especially Waymarks 5 and 9) so dress accordingly. Don't despair, the countryside and birdsong will amply compensate for this! If you wish to avoid the muddy sections, please do not undertake this walk during the winter months or after heavy rainfall.

England - South England - Berkshire - Thames Valley

Features

Birds, Great Views, Mostly Flat, River, Wildlife, Woodland

12/4/2022 - Christine Williams

Christine Williams - 4/12/22 We did this walk last week. Part of the route has been diverted by a farmer to avoid fields where cows and bulls graze. At WM12 after passing Lea Cottage instead of entering a copse there is a permissive path round the fields. This takes you all the way to the bank and stile at WM14 and probably makes the walk slightly longer.

11/10/2019 - Andrew Long

10 Nov 2019. I walked this route on a sunny Sunday the day after heavy rainfall. Very muddy. Walk updated in response to comments left by walkers.

10/8/2019 - Nigel Williamson

Waymark3:...(Keepers Cottage) with public footpath circular sign on post. Waymark4: Turn left keeping driveway fence on your right and carry on along footpath. Waymark7: Wooden stile has been replaced by metal kissing gate.

9/30/2018 - Ken Howard

Very good September walk and directions. However at Waymark 13 the gate and style are in a line straight forward from the grey pylon and not to the left at all. We spent ages looking on the left hand top perimeter of the field.

3/23/2011 - Andrew Long

23 March 2011 - walk reviewed and updated. Farley Hill's one and only pub is no more.

3/2/2009 - E Saunders

Followed this walk yesterday. Still muddy in parts but a really nice walk anyway. Great instructions really clear and detailed. Nice walk to do.

1/19/2009 - Chris Christodoulou

Did this walk after heavy rainfall the previous day and it certainly was muddy, especially the field at point 13 which became tiring. Instructions were good and easy to follow but the Fox & Hounds were `Closed until further notice'. So if you are planning on stopping there find their number online to check if they're open yet first.