7 walkers today on a day of sun with passing clouds and a cold wind

There also was a two minute (I kid you not) 'shower' of big rain drops mixed with some hail, just before we reached the lunch pub, and then a ten-minute-or-so hail shower while we were inside the pub (apart from the one picnicker that strode on).

Spring flowers were in abundance today, from a fair amount of celandines to a smattering of anemones to loads of bluebells, flowering gorse and not-yet-flowering wild garlic. Of the many bluebell woods en route, the early ones were about 50% in flower (south-facing and without a dense canopy) while later on most of them were hardly flowering at all or only in sunny spots.

There was also a long-ish stretch of three-cornered leek along the boundary hedge of Midgham House.

We saw two muntjac just off to the left of the path, who then cooly galloped away, to only seconds later gallop back the way they came, while looking at us very puzzled indeed.

Belted Galloway were encountered on the unfenced Bucklebury Common, which seemed reckless with a busy road nearby until we spotted the 'necklaces' they were wearing: electric bands that send a wee shock whenever they stray from a pre-programmed area, monitored by a gpx-signal from that same 'necklace' to a base station nearby. Modern farming, hey!

Some Highland Coos were lying about lazily in the fields around Midgham House.

Just two had lunch at the pub (delish but pricey, which is why they are 'transitioning' from their upmarket tapas menu to a modern British pub classics menu over the next few months, to attract more of the locals). Four others joined for a hot drink while the Basque Cheesecake was consumed by the lunchers.

All in a very good day, with everyone enjoying the quiet charms of the rolling landscape with untouched villages, chalk streams, fine views, pretty valleys and hardly a soul in sight. 17.23 train back.

Route across Bucklebury Common slightly amended after extensive restoration works. New files just uploaded.

1 off the train in what turned out to be a default silent walk. Partly cloudy, cool and occasionally windy day amid nice autumn colours breaking through. The Pot Kiln still going strong with its gastro menu.

13 alighted from the designated train to be joined by another minutes later off a train from Midgham (having parked his car at the end of the walk), making for 14 in total on this walk of 2 tales. One tale was a warm and sunny walk, as the Met Office perfectly predicted. In fact, it was so warm and sunny about half the group enjoyed lunch al fresco at the Pot Kiln basking in the late autumn sun on the terrace. The other tale being one of thoroughly saturated ground conditions from overnight rain, making it slippery and slidey and very wet under foot. One skipped lunch and set off on the extension while the rest stopped for drinks and/or lunch at the newly refitted Pot Kiln.... Having been a real fan of the prior incarnation of this lovely remote pub, I did find the new Basque-themed version did not quite measure up to its predecessor -- but it is early days and well worth watching. Three of us shared the fish stew and a collection of tapas which were all very good and I think a great way to sample the tasty offerings. Several others tried various of the tapas and puddings -- mostly with positive feedback....The one main complaint being that most of the main dishes are designed to share with 2 (or 3 as we did)....It would be nice if they had some main dish offerings for 1 person. Back in Midgham, most caught the 18:22 -- but 5 lingered over their post walk drinks and caught the 19:25. A beautiful autumn day out in great company!

4 emerged from the train onto the platform at Aldermaston under cloudy skies clearing later . After dispensing with formalities, we set off together, some of us already having lunch on our mind....The woods were very pretty with nice shades of autumnal tint. On arriving at the pub, one decided to stick with his picnic plans while three enjoyed a delicious and indulgent lunch....After pulling ourselves away from the table, we emerged into bright late autumn sunshine for a beautiful afternoon walk through various woods and heathland....On the heath, some discussion was had as the GPX and instructions seemed to suggest different routes -- it was only later that I realized my instructions are a bit out of date and the route no longer includes the "exciting pathless stretch"! At any rate, we made it through the heath and on to Midgham arriving about 17:10 with time for a drink at the Angel before catching the 18:02 for a swift journey back to London. A great day!

We went to the Pot Kiln, Frilsham, yesterday. Good beer, from the Indigenous Brewery, and very good food indeed, not cheap, although good portions. Very busy, so as Marcus says, need to book.

3 in frosty winter sunshine . Six miles before lunchtime, then six afterwards, separated by Venison soup, Haunch of Venison, and wonderful Christmas puddings with full bodied wines and toothsome liqueurs. Still made the 17.15 by taking a shortcut.

Is anyone going on this walk?

Yes.....

Good. Im on 10.02 train, so hope to get to Pot Kiln Inn.

Okie dokie, stitting in the sun on the patio of the Pot Kiln having an aperitif....

Perhaps it was the early start on a Sunday or perhaps the hammering rain in London about 8am, but just 4 connected in Reading -- all hoping the Met Office forecast of clearing skies at 10am were accurate while at the same time listening to the ongoing deluge pounding the roof of the station....A short journey further west did indeed reveal some glimpses of blue sky and shortly after setting off we enjoyed bright blustery autumnal sunshine for most of the day. The ground was damp but the scenery stunning with some signs of autumn tint here and there. We arrived at the Pot Kiln a bit early and enjoyed an aperitif in the sun on the patio while perusing the menu. As we were just about to order, a 5th walker materialized from a later train via taxi to join our fantastic feast (making for 5 on this adventure and perfectly rounding out the booking)....Two hours later after indulging in a variety of starters, mains, puddings, wine, beer and coffees, we managed to set-off to complete the walk in the soft afternoon sun of autumn....through a delightful mix of woods, heath and fields...towards the end two opted for a short cut while the others stayed on course....we arrived at the road into Midgham about 5:20pm in the last of the fading light and easily navigated the final 10 minute walk down the road in the dark to meet the others at the Angel Pub, enjoying a swift bevie before catching the 18:02 back to London...some fancy footwork at Reading overcame a canceled train to get us on one departing earlier than the originally advised (canceled) connection.....to summarize a deliciously delightful day .

Better train time! Expect more tub disruption with little or no notice. Austen

Pingdemic latest: Circle, H&C, Metropolitan and District (to Edgware Road) Lines will all be closed in da mornin', as per TfL email just in. So, just the Bakerloo travelling via P'ton (and on a Covid schedule = about every 10 mins).

Or take Central Line to Lancaster Gate and walk to Paddington. (about 8 mins)

Or Jubilee to Baker Street which is a brisk five minute walk from Marylebone.

Train leaves from P'ton though, Bill! Just in case you're thinking of coming along...

Likelihood of precipitation in the Aldermaston area during the day: starting at 86% and dropping to 37%, with thunderstorms possible all day. That was the forecast, and not just on the Nation's favourite site. The reality was a sullen start improving to sunny breaks and always dry day. 11 had turned up, with 9 of those booked onto two tables at The Pot Kiln, the carnivore's choice amongst the SWC lunch pubs. We got there a little ahead of the booked times, and stayed for 2 1/4 hours, with every minute of it worth it and the resultant expense. Even the 2 picnickers joined us at the tables and stayed for the duration! 3 then took a taxi to a station, citing exhaustion and/or evening commitments. 1 other had met a couple of friends at The Kiln and I've lost track of when and where they went. So, 7 walked on, 4 of those catching the 18.23 comfortably, the others missing it narrowly (we could see them as the train pulled out). I guess, the Rowbarge Inn was their next destination... As for the walk: some muddy bits in woods, else an always satisfying mixture of scenery: some rolling hills, some large fields, plenty of fine woods, a heathland common (skirted by my group as it's still ground nesting season) and some pretty villages and several large stately piles.

A fabulous walk and a superb, over-indulgent luncheon. The three of us who just missed the 18-21 hrs train enjoyed a relaxing hour at the Rowbarge Inn before catching the 19-21 hrs service which sped us home. Many thanks to Thomas for posting his excellent, rural West Berkshire walk - and for reserving tables for us at The Pot Kiln. A great day out in the best of SWC company.

Hi. Newbie and a bit confused. Where do you think most people will start this walk? Thank you.

Aldermaston. We all meet on the platform at Reading waiting for the Newbury train, and it'll become clear then who does what.

Merci bien.

Da nicht für.

Smashing autumn colours early on in Midgham Park, and better still in some of the woods in the middle of the route, very vivid despite there being no sunshine at all. The mud situation was not too bad, most importantly it was never gooey or clingy, so in conjunction with the constant rain (as of 12.00), the gear stayed relatively presentable. Bucklebury Common was (perhaps surprisingly, judging by past experience) NOT under water, but later there was one pasture with plenty standing water and deeply-rutted-by-hoofs stretches, just before lunch. Lunch at the wonderful Pot Kiln it was, of course. We arrived 15 minutes before the booking but our table was available straight away. All 4 ordered the Venison Shoulder as their main course, and it was an allround delight, accompanied by some very nice red. After about 100 minutes it was time to move on, by then knowing that we'd have about an hour of walking in darkness to contend with. More stunning woods were to come (again with impressive mushrooms), a few corners of the route were cut when it was dark, as views weren't to be had anymore anyway and - close to Aldermaston station - one walker on dinner-for-the-kids cooking duty started to run to catch the 17.31 (which he did catch), us remaining 3 walked on to The Butt Inn to await the 18.31. All in, the most fun you could possible have - with your waterproofs on... constant rain from noon

As an addendum to the main walk report. The morning was wet and got wetter as it wore on. However the route was lovely with fields and autumnal woods and only a little mud in a recently ploughed field.  The morning seemed to lack smells apart from some wood smoke but that may be due to my having a lingering cold. Lunch was lovely as well with most of us opting for fallow dear - delish. One of our group had a vegan meal especially prepared for her. Rocky the manager also provided us with a portion of said vegan dish for us to try but for some reason it didn't move down the table The overall difficulty of this walk is 7 out of 10. Well the morning was a 2 to 3 so the afternoon maybe hard After lunch sadly the others left, after telling us goodbye. 3 of us went for a taxi during which we saw a muntjac crossing the road and hopping off into the woods. I wore red jodhpurs, another a striped tie. A point of information - I took the taxi as I had overeaten at lunch. The Pot Kiln as been suggested as a possible venue for our SWC Christmas lunch. Best to start saving now Bridie

For those who looked at the forecast and stayed at home, the rain did come ,-heavy-and-hard; however, the 7 who braved the elements were rewarded with a wonderful walk with some nice early autumn tinting, not to mention an amazing lunch....Hoping to wait out the bad weather, we spent a solid two hours sampling a good cross-section of the menu...all of which was amazing...After lunch 3 opted for a taxi and 4 headed out into the lingering drizzle through more undulating countryside with some great vistas and bright autumnal colors. The rain finally stopped about midway along and we arrived at Woolhampton about 18:30 where we enjoyed a drink at the Rowbarge Inn before catching the 19:27.

I'm planning to do this walk but.... it's 4 trains and 3 hours, so I'm planning to drive, should be able to park at Aldermaston Station. If anyone would like a lift from Tadworth, then please let me know. Room for 4 passengers, depart Tadworth 0900 ish. Return from Aldermaston 1600 latest. Paul (Porky)

Intend going.

24 glorious sunshine warm with light breeze perfect walking weather A record turnout for a Thomas walk on a lovely sunny day - tempting at least one walker to don shorts, although the pink knees will have scared the horses otherwise engaged in churning up the fields and pastures we had to cross. The muddy fields and heavy duty mud in the woods encountered all day would have made today's walk very tedious if it had not been for the perfect walking weather and the fine views we enjoyed over the West Berkshire Downs and river valleys. Thomas had kindly booked the gourmet lunch pub for us - the Pot Kiln in Fresham - and 18 sat down in anticipation of the fine food promised. We were not let down nor disappointed. The Venison scotch egg starters were to die for, and hats off to those who shared vast venison haunches, washed down with a surfeit of wine and beer, and then managed to walk afterwards. Indeed I believe at least 3 succumbed to the indulgent occasion and gave up on the walk: how sensible of them. Over-fed and over-watered in the nicest possible way, our walkers then split up into small groups, setting off at different times, some doing the standard walk of 14 miles and some the longer version, still in glorious sunshine. Our picnickers set off first, on the long walk, and they managed to go off piste to such an extent they chalked up 18 miles by the time they staggered into the Angel pub at walk-end for a much needed pint. The rest of us made it at various times back to the Rowbarge Inn, next to Midgham railway station, where refreshments were duly taken. We were concerned that the trains back to town would be chocker full of race goers having had a good liquid day at Newbury Racecourse but we need not have worried, the trains were not full, although on my train a good few racegoers had enjoyed a sherbet or two. As for the walk, the weather saved the day. Wednesday walkers had tried out the twin to today's walk 260- walk 117 - some six weeks ago in wet conditions. Not a lot to choose between them and both shared the traverse of Bucklebury Common towards walk-end, although today conditions under foot were soggy rather than in flood. Signs of Spring - 5 % of bluebells open in woods, not many wood anemones, some wild garlic, no drying out of paths ! Having well-indulged over lunch and a day spent in lovely warm sunshine, I expect our walkers slept well last night. And maybe the pink knees had gained some colour?

Really liked this walk. The afternoon, in particular, was lovely. The walk took us through lots of woodland. In fact, I guess through clever routing, it felt like we were walking through one large forest with a nice bit of heathland thrown in at the end. Sure, it was muddy in places, but it's what one would expect at this time of year. Five of us did the extension and suggested diversion into Fence Wood. A map, GPS and compass proved very useful there; we took a few wrong turns, but got back on track easily enough. The only letdown of the afternoon was the discovery that the much ballyhood Neolithic hillfort site at Grimsbury Castle is, in fact, Iron Age. A disappointment, for sure, but the Iron Age has its charms, so we didn't let it get us down for long.