Shalbourne - Ham - Inkpen - Shalbourne Circular

Andrew Long

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You are in for a real treat on this walk. Starting in the picturesque village of Shalbourne, the walk passes by The Plough pub before heading across open fields with great views of Ham Hill to the south. The walk enters another pretty village, Ham, before heading north-east to reach a summit on Bitham Lane, with more great views south.

The walk crosses lush fields to enter Lower Green, north of Inkpen, where the walker has the option to turn off and explore the village. From here, the route heads through great woodland and parkland before arriving at the A338.

Heading back to Shalbourne, the route follows a 'bubbling' river before reaching Shalbourne Church and its primary school. A short stretch further on is the start of the walk, where there is a pub, village stores and a park bench for you to rest after a rewarding walk.

Enjoy the countryside, red kites, birdsong and the unspoilt villages. I hope you enjoy this walk as much as I do.

England - South England - Wiltshire - North Wessex Downs

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Great Views, Pub, Public Transport, River, Tea Shop, Wildlife, Woodland
11/9/2020 - Andrew Long

Following comments by Sally, I have revisited and made the following changes. WM3 updated to provide clarity over second stile. WM5 - amended as you need to follow field perimeter. WM7/8 - reference to phone box removed. WM9 - instructions updated as they were vague. WM15/16 - updated as unclear. WM22/3 updated as signage had gone. Also new photos provided for WM 5, 8, 16, 21 and 23. Walk is muddy in november and ground was saturated next to rivers. Thanks for your comments Sally. Walk length extended to 10 miles.

1/9/2019 - Sally Qajar

A great walk which was quite straightforward to follow, even with a couple of absent waymarkers! Did it in January 2019, a few muddy points, but you’d expect that in January! Overall a very enjoyable walk worth doing. Waypoint 3: 'proceed ahead through metal farm gate into green track” was actually turn right along green track as I made the mistake of going straight ahead over stile, as there was no gate and a stile straight ahead which I found a bit confusing as seemed to be off the correct route.' 'Follow this until you reach large open field. Here you have two options: if you can see path ahead, follow it as it heads across field to join track through gap in hedge at far right of field. Look for marker-post with arrow on it. Turn left and rejoin walk at Waymark 05. If you can't see path, turn right along field boundary until you come to a track in the next field.' At the end of the green track was a marker post where I turned left as there seemed to be no marker posts or obvious alternatives, it was much more straight forward doing that, then turned left along the path. Waypoint 7: 'Look out for the phone box on left next to village notice-board. The Crown and Anchor pub is ahead on our right.” When I did the walk there was no phone box and the Crown and Anchor pub was either being revamped or turned into a house as work was being done and pub signs were all taken down.' Waypoint 22: 'Cross footbridge and continue to follow right-hand boundary. Look out for footpath signpost on right.” The footpath sign on the right is missing, but there was a visible small track across the field.'

8/4/2014 - Andrew Long

Walk revisited, updated and 2 new photos added - 16 & 21.