Description
Take a flat and easily navigable route, add in some ancient, Roman magic and you have this perfect, leisurely, countryside walk from Bramley. As you set off across the uniform farmland surrounding the village, there is absolutely no hint of what lies ahead. However, an illustrated Silchester Trail sign beside the road at Clappers Farm indicates you are now following in the footsteps of history. That so much of Calleva Atrebatum’s wall remains intact is incredible, and testament to the quality of Roman construction methods and materials. This route includes just half of the wall, but feel free to complete the whole circuit if time allows. It will be hard to lose your way following something so remarkable and visible. The route back to Bramley is mostly along the Camino Ingles, the route pilgrims from the Middle Ages took from Reading to Southampton – the official start of the Camino de Santiago from English soil. To learn more about this trail visit www.britishpilgrimage.org
Walk Instructions
- From the station walk in the direction of the Bramley Inn. Cross over to the playing field and walk along the path parallel to the main road. The path bends right behind the hall, passes a small playground, and goes into a car park before reaching the road. Cross over and walk up the road on the pavement.
- Continue along the road past the National Grid sign on the left. There is no pavement, but it is a relatively quiet road. At the T junction turn right and cross the railway.
- At the sign to Hollycross Farm turn left. Go straight through the farmyard to reach the fields. At the tree line ahead turn left and then go diagonally right at the ‘no public right of way’ sign, heading towards a small copse.
- Here there are two path options – left and straight ahead. Turn left and follow the edge of the fields until you reach a paved road.
- Turn left at the road, go under the railway bridge, and continue until the junction with the ‘main’ road. Turn right here. By the Silchester Trail and icey road signs follow the footpath off left across a small field and stream.
- Through the gate follow the RHS of the field. Later this becomes a concrete track beside a field – continue straight. Ahead, the track goes around a bend. Afterwards, look out for a permissive path sign on the left. This crosses the field and takes you all the way to the road in front of St Mary the Virgin church, Silchester.
- Cross the road and walk into the church yard. This is a great lunch spot as there are plenty of benches. Leave the church yard almost directly ahead and follow the well-marked path to the right until you reach the wall path that circles around Calleva Atrebatum to your left.
- At a major path junction continue ahead. However, should you need a toilet break the path on the right leads to the car park where there is a Portaloo off to one side.
- At the next junction of paths there are three options. One straight ahead, one off to the right and one diagonally between the other 2, you want this one. It goes along the left-hand edge of the field. Go straight through a couple of kissing gates all marked with Camino and Silchester Trail signs, until you reach a large field. This is where the actual trodden path differs slightly from the one marked on a normal OS map. It should be clear to see where others have walked (our map shows this route). The path comes out at the road.
- Turn right at the road and walk to the Three Ashes junction with a busier road. Cross over and walk a couple of metres to the right of The Pound House. The next footpath (with a metal kissing gate at the start) is just past the house between 2 hedges.
- Remain on this path all the way until you reach Bramley Frith Wood (look for the pylons disappearing into the wood). Inside the wood turn left to follow the perimeter path. Keep the picket fence to your right through the wood. This path eventually comes out beside the entrance to the Electricity Sub Station. Turn left onto the lane & follow it all the way to the main road.
- Cross over and take the signed foot and cycle path on the right. Follow this to the end of the field. Turn left over the bridge and head towards the housing estate. Just past the play park continue along the grass on the right towards the path ahead. Turn right to reach the recreation ground and Bramley Inn. Cross the road and turn left to return to the station.
Useful Link
Bramley Bakery, beside the station. Open most days 07.00-16.00
bramleybakery.co.uk There is a toilet at the bakery.
An additional toilet (Portaloo) can be found in the Calleva Atrebatum car park (directions given in 7 below)
Start and End
Bramley Station
Distance
6.7 miles
Time
3 hours walking time plus breaks
Grade
3/10 – Mostly flat….one gentle climb
Accessibility
Not push/wheelchair accessible
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