Training walk – July 2017

Mortimer circular - 26 July 2017

It was T’s turn to plan a “training walk”.  (You would have thought we would know how to walk by now but it is quite easy to get out of the habit and the joints start to protest at anything more than five miles). We sought a walk that could be accessed easily by public transport, which is code for involving a train ride somewhere in the planning. Turning to “Rambling for Pleasure around Reading” again T found a combination of walks (rambles) around Mortimer.

St Mary's Church, Stratfield Mortimer

Our route would start at Mortimer station, (Grid Ref: SU6723 6411) which is really in Stratfield Mortimer and head northwards towards Burghfield Common and then working south again through Mortimer itself to return to the station, this was mostly one of the Berkshire Circular Routes as marked on the OS Explorer sheet 159.

The weather didn’t look too good and heavy rain was promised for early that Wednesday morning so we delayed the start and met each other on the platform at Reading. P’s train from Didcot was held up while they split the train and he only just made the stopper to Basingstoke. Hardly any time to catch his breath before we arrived in Mortimer as it is only seven minutes down the line.The rain held off (just about), though it looked like we might get drenched at any moment for most of the time we were out. It was probably cool for July but by the time we got walking it was muggy and humid. 

Lunchtime view

Our route took us across Tun Bridge on Foudry Brook and up a gentle slope towards Wheat’s farm (now a riding centre), SU6651 6484. So far so good, the route was surprisingly undulating and while the area could not be classed as hilly there was sufficient variation in elevation to make the views interesting. We stopped fairly soon to have our sandwiches, it was a late start so soon lunchtime. There was a view to the east of Wokefield Park and the gentle wooded hills near Spencers Wood. To the north we could make out the southern estates of Reading.

Pullen's Pond

The path carried on down to cross the Lockram Brook and then up to Wokefield Common. We crossed over a relatively busy road and passed Pullen’s Pond, (SU6586 6637). The booklet made this out to be a nice spot but it looked rather dismal suffering from close proximity to the sub-urban area of Burghfield Common. The path, now in woodland headed roughly westwards and we emerged to cross the busy road again by yet another pond (SU6522 6618) this one was equipped with a car park and cars.

Wokefield Common

The path wasn’t too obvious, but we made our way through Starvale Woods and came out at a small lane near Bridge’s Farm, SU6528 6543. On the climb up from the Lockram Brook again we curved eastwards and came out opposite a crescent of what were known as “Council houses”, now privately owned.  There were 14 houses and evidence of at least nine satellite TV receivers.

Anyhow we found what we thought was the path and headed across to Lukin’s Wood and came out on the wrong road, SU6576 6517. Never mind still unsure how we had made such a basic mistake we headed on southwards along a road and eventually came out near the Mortimer Cricket Club. We crossed the road near the Horse and Groom pub which from a distance didn’t look open and headed southwards again away from the main village of Mortimer.  We reached Drury Lane and followed the lane gently downhill parallel to the county boundary with Hampshire.  At the junction we opted to head back towards Stratfield Mortimer church.

Deer field

St Mary's church (again)

We saw a couple of deer in the wheat field as we approached the Foudry Brook and then turned towards the church. There was considerable evidence of historical water engineering and features, millponds mill races, SU6688 6410. (Somebody has been watching Time Team).

Back to the station and a short wait to catch the train back to Reading and departure home.

 

This was a surprisingly interesting walk in an area that neither of us knew. We manged 6.5 miles in three hours and didn’t get wet!

Mortimer station (looking towards Reading)