Walk 4 : Pangbourne (round walk)

p40, Col 2, Para 2

"The original path has overgrown, so turn left into the open field until the end, then walk through a gap to the right of a metal gate into a wide path."

We found this section most unhelpful - and it actually left us wandering lost for about 40 minutes. Suggest instead following replacement:

"Go through metal kissing gate, then continue straight, along right hand edge of field. If the path right next to the fence is overgrown, walk along the edge of the actual field. When you reach the end of the field, walk through a gap to the right of a metal gate into a wide path."

The "turn left" is what really confused.

This is a lovely walk at this time of the year. Wild flowers abound and the woods in new leaf are beautiful.

On page 41, where it says:

"In 85 metres, keep left by an uprooted tree..."

There is now a double row of flimsy wooden fences creating a path through the section of wood described as "Your onward path may not be very clear".

There is now a kissing gate at the end of this path where the guide says "1n 140 metres, at a T-junction..."

I agree with Simon, I found those directions confusing as well, started walking left in the field, rather than down the right hand side but soon realised my mistake when checking the map.

On page 40 (green edition) where it starts to talk about piles of rubble in the woodland I can't say I noticed these, just keep ahead on the most obvious path until you reach the road. At the bottom of the page it says you come to an open space with a concrete base (correct) take the middle of two possible paths which doesn't really make sense (if there are only two paths there isn't a middle path!). Just keep straight ahead on the most obvious of the paths. Page 41 (green edition) at the end of the third paragraph in the left hand column, the correct path has now been enclosed with wooden fencing on both sides making the route more obvious.

It's a nice walk although views of the Thames are quite limited even from the Thames path section of the walk. There is some anger locally about the increase of the toll on Whitchurch bridge to 40p although there is no charge for walkers.

Sorry can't seem to edit my last comment, but the whole route is on map 171 (Chiltern Hills West). You don't need map 159 as listed on the "Introduction" page.

Unfortunately the suggested lunchtime pub, the White Lion, has now closed permanently. We didn't walk past any others on the rest of the route but luckily it wasn't too far back to Whitchurch, where we had a nice and reasonably-priced meal at the Greyhound (the first pub you come to on the left when walking back into the village).

An alternative to the closed White Lion, about half way between there and Pangbourne, is The Sun Inn in Hill Bottom/Whitchurch Hill. Easiest way to find it is to turn left on the road you come to at point [8] (or point 43 in the revised directions). Cross the main road in 150 metres and it is about 500 metres further on, on the right. A small friendly pub with an interesting homemade menu.