Waltham St Lawrence - Shottesbrooke Park

Andrew Long

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Nestling between the A4 to the north and the M4 to the south, Waltham St Lawrence is a historical and pretty village in the Royal County of Berkshire between Reading and Maidenhead which you stumble across by accident. This easy-going walk starts in the centre of the village before taking the walker past some historical buildings and heading into the countryside. A little later, the walk passes by Shottesbrooke Park with its pleasing landscaping and church. The walk next follows quiet country lanes, green paths and shady woodland before returning to the village of West End for a further dose of country cottages. It returns to the start via a permitted farm path and another byway. Waltham St Lawrence is home to The Bell Inn, dating from the fourteenth century; its design resembles something from Sussex rather than Berkshire.

The walk does follow a number of lanes and roads for short distances. The majority will not be a problem. However, two roads need to be mentioned:

Waymark 10 takes in the B3018. This is a busy but straight road with sufficiently wide verges to allow the walker to let traffic go past. I recommend that you walk on the right-hand side of the road;

Waymark 16 passes along a busy country lane before turning left onto Nut Lane. Keep to the left-hand verges and watch the traffic behind you.

Roads and paths are pretty mud-free apart from the field in Waymark 12 and paths in 6 and 7. The degree of muddiness will of course depend on the time of year and the amount of rain fallen.

England - South England - Berkshire - Thames Valley

Features

Church, Great Views, Mostly Flat, Pub, Public Transport, Woodland

4/25/2021 - Andrew Long

Walk reviewed on a lovely spring Sunday and route was completely dry. The footpath on WM8 is narrow and has prickly hedges which may draw blood! New photographs added for WM11 and 14

10/25/2016 - Nigel Williamson

This a very pleasant level walk. An effort has been made to clear the path from Waymarker 8. Still some brambles but passable in most places.

8/14/2013 - Chris French

We enjoyed this walk yesterday very much. I normally walk on my own but my wife came this time. However, about half way round she decided we needed to get back a bit earlier, so we took the following short cut: At WM7 head west along the footpath to the left of the houses; then north up the road until you see a footpath on the left; when this reaches the B2034 another footpath opposite takes you back to Waltham St. Lawrence. I would recommend this route - quite easy to follow and pleasant views. I'll return some time and do the whole route 'properly'.

2/6/2011 - Andrew Long

Walk reviewed and updated by Author.

11/21/2010 - Patricia Daw

We completed this in just over two hours on a fresh Sunday morning. The directions are very clear. In wm 12 where it says it could be muddy - it was and we haven't had that much rain recently so I would bear recent weather in mind when considering this walk. Overall a very pleasant walk and one within ten miles of home! Tricia Daw 21/11/10

7/21/2010 - Jennifer Uzzell

Just completed walk, 18/7/10. Very nice but for section 8, path following right side of lane to Hungerford Lane. This path is so overgrown now, (looks like not used for years) its better to stay on (very quiet road) to Hungerford lane. nice lunch at the Bull after walk!

1/19/2009 - Chris Christodoulou

This is an easy flat walk, it was cold when we stared but we soon warmed up. Instructions good. `The Bell' is an all day free house but parking is limited, if you can't find a spot try parking in `Neville Hall' car park next to the church.