Crowthorne to Blackwater via Eversley Cross Walk

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Walk Map

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Walk Options ( Main )

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13. Main Walk (16¼ km)

9. Main Walk, finishing at Sandhurst (13 km)
1. Circular Walk, returning to Crowthorne (14 km)

Walk Directions

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1. Crowthorne Station to Heath Pond (2 km)
• Go along the B3348 to a roundabout and take the byway (Heath Ride) heading north-west. In 700m turn half-left at a path crossing onto a long straight bridleway known as the Devil's Highway, soon going alongside Heath Pond to its north-western corner. For the full route make a clockwise circuit around Brook's Heath (ahead on your right), returning to this point from a woodland path on the right.

1. Arriving from Guildford / Farnborough

1. Leave the platform near the front of the train. Go up the station's approach road and turn left onto the B3348 (Duke's Ride).

2. Arriving from Reading / Wokingham

1. Leave the platform near the back of the train. Go through a parking area and turn sharp left to go back across the railway bridge on the B3348.
3. Before reaching the roundabout ahead cross over to the right-hand side. At the junction cross the A321 with great care and take the signposted restricted byway (“Unsuitable for motor vehicles”), heading NW. Follow this long straight track (Heath Ride) between garden fences and then through woodland for 700m.
4. At the first major path crossing, just after the entrance to “Heritage”, turn half-left to head W on another long straight byway known as the Devil's Highway?, passing a NT sign for Simon's Wood. In 150m keep ahead at a major path crossing to stay on this broad track (now a bridleway), going along the northern side of Heath Pond to another path junction at its north-western corner.

The full route now loops around the semi-open heathland ahead on your right and returns to this point. For a short cut (saving 750m) you could turn half-left onto the signposted footpath climbing gently through woodland and skip to §B.

5. For the full route continue on the Devil's Highway for a further 125m, then veer right at an oblique path crossing. This side path goes down a slight dip to cross a ditch on a short wooden boardwalk, then climbs up through the heather on Brook's Heath. Follow the narrow path to a T-junction on the far side of the heath and turn right to go through a lightly-wooded area, with the extensive gardens of some large properties on your left.
6. Follow the meandering sandy path through the trees and keep right at path junctions when you reach the north-eastern corner of the heath. The path crosses a ditch on another short stretch of boardwalk and swings right. After 150m along the edge of woodland you are back at the north-western corner of Heath Pond. Turn half-right to take the signposted footpath climbing gently through woodland on the other side of the Devil's Highway.
2. Heath Pond to Moor Green Lakes (2 km)
• Follow the path uphill and alongside heathland for 125m, then turn left to go back downhill. Go across a footbridge at the southern tip of Heath Pond and fork right onto a path across another patch of heathland. Go straight across a byway, then in 75m turn half-right onto the NT Centenary Trail. At Simon's Wood car park take a path on the right which returns to the byway just before it reaches the B3348. Turn right and go along the road for 50m to the north-eastern corner of Finchampstead Ridges. Go alongside the road for 100m, then turn half-left by a toposcope to come to a viewpoint. Take any route down the slope to leave Finchampstead Ridges in its south-western corner. Head south along Dell Road and turn left onto Lower Sandhurst Road. Turn right into the car park for Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve.
1. Follow the woodland path gently uphill, gradually curving round to the left and continuing along the edge of heathland where it levels off. At a path crossing in a small grove of pine trees turn left and follow the path gently downhill to the corner of another patch of heathland.
2. Keep left at a path junction, go across a wooden footbridge near the southern tip of Heath Pond and fork right onto a path through the heather. In 100m the suggested route is to go straight across a byway at an oblique path crossing.
   • A slightly more direct route would be to turn right onto the byway and follow it out to the edge of the NT land and along a driveway to the B3348, but the track uphill can be muddy and in any case the woodland route described below is more pleasant.
3. After climbing gently through the trees for 75m turn half-right at a path junction, joining a NT Centenary Trail with red waymarkers. Go straight across a broad track and follow the NT trail all the way to a metal fieldgate in front of the main car park.
4. Skirt around the gate and bear right across the parking area to leave through the second of two exits on its right-hand side. Veer left and follow the path as it gradually approaches a road, then runs parallel with it for a short distance. The path merges with another woodland path from the right and comes out by some magnificent redwoods onto the end of a byway.
5. Turn right onto the pavement beside the B3348. You need to cross this road in the next 50m and it is better to do this while you have a clear view of the traffic in both directions; there is only a narrow grass verge on the other side but you do get a striking view back down the road, aptly named Wellingtonia Avenue?. Where the road bends right keep ahead on a narrow path to the left of the chevrons, passing a NT sign and entering Finchampstead Ridges.
6. Where the path splits fork right to continue between the road and a patch of heathland. In 100m the path leads into a small grassy area with a toposcope on a stone plinth. Turn half-left by this plinth and take a broad grassy path into the trees, heading SW. This leads to a wooden bench in a small grove of pine trees, a viewpoint looking over the Blackwater Valley to the Hampshire hills beyond.
7. Take the narrow path at the right-hand end of the viewpoint, going quite steeply downhill and curving round to the left. In 100m keep ahead at a crosspaths. After negotiating a small boggy patch this pleasant woodland path goes gently downhill towards the south-western corner of the NT land.

   If the path layout changes or you go astray then any path going down the slope will eventually meet the bridleway running along the southern boundary of the NT land, where you can turn right to reach Dell Road.

8. For the suggested route fork right after 75m to stay on the main path. Later the path crosses a ditch and merges with another path from the right. Eventually you come to a path junction by a “Holly clearance” notice where you veer left. Go past a wooden horse barrier and turn right to go along the bridleway at the bottom of the NT land.
9. Skirt around a vehicle barrier to leave Finchampstead Ridges and turn left onto Dell Road. In 300m turn left at a T-junction and go along Lower Sandhurst Road for 175m. Opposite “Blackwater View” turn right into the small car park for Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve?.
3. Moor Green Lakes to Eversley Cross (3 km)
• Take the footpath (or bridleway) from the back of the car park, heading south past the reserve lakes. At the end turn left to go alongside the River Blackwater for 100m. Fork right to cross the river on a footbridge, joining the Three Castles Path (3CP). Follow the bridleway alongside more lakes to Moulsham Green and bear right onto Moulsham Copse Lane. Turn right onto a footpath heading west along the edge of a small green and then between houses to a meadow. Follow the footpath out to Fox Lane and turn right, leaving the 3CP. At the end of the lane turn right onto the B3272 to reach the village green at Eversley Cross, with its two pubs.
1. Take the footpath from the back of the car park (or the bridleway running alongside it), soon passing Colebrook Lake North on your left. At the end of this lake you pass a members-only bird hide and the footpath and bridleway merge briefly to cross a stream (Colebrook Cut) on a footbridge. There is a wooden viewing screen giving views across Colebrook Lake South from the footpath before the two paths meet again in front of the River Blackwater.

   Later you will return to this spot from the riverside path on the right and repeat a short stretch up to the footbridge.

2. Turn left to go alongside the river for 100m, again with a choice of footpath or bridleway. Where the paths merge fork right onto a footbridge across the river, joining the Three Castles Path? (3CP) and crossing into Hampshire. Take either of two paths bearing left, which merge just before the less tranquil lakes of Blackwater Valley Watersports come into view on your left.
3. Follow the winding path across some access roads and a cleared area underneath electricity pylons. The path leads onto a narrow common where you continue along its right-hand side. After crossing a cul-de-sac (Blaire Park) you come to a small triangular green and turn right to go along its northern edge.
4. On the far side turn right briefly onto a lane but almost immediately veer left into the driveway to #23 and take the tarmac path to the left of its entrance. Follow this enclosed public footpath through a housing development, heading W and crossing two residential streets. After going between metal barriers fork right at a Y-junction to come to a gate into a small meadow.

   The continuation of this footpath was prone to flooding but it has been considerably improved. However, if you discover that it is impassable you will have to return to the housing estate and make your way via its residential streets and the B3272 to Fox Lane.

5. Follow the grassy path along the left-hand edge of the meadow and continue on a path between hedges which swings left in front of a fishing lake. The enclosed path turns back to the right and eventually comes out onto a minor road (Fox Lane), with the B3272 just off to the left. Turn right onto Fox Lane, leaving the 3CP.
6. In 200m keep left (staying on Fox Lane) where the main road swings right towards the various enterprises in the old quarry workings. Follow the lane out to a T-junction with the B3272 and turn right onto the main road to reach the large village green in Eversley Cross?. Its two pubs are on the left-hand side of the road: the Frog & Wicket and (just past the junction with the B3016) the Chequers.
4. Eversley Cross to Horseshoe Lake (SW corner) (3½ km)
• Cut across the village green to join the B3016 and head north along this road. After crossing the River Blackwater at Finchampstead Bridge, turn right onto the Blackwater Valley Path (BVP). After repeating a short stretch of your outward route go past the footbridge to remain on the riverside path for a further 1 km, also rejoining the 3CP.
1. The onward route is to head N on the B3016 (Longwater Road), signposted to Finchampstead. From the Chequers it is simplest to walk straight up the B3016 from the road junction; from the Frog & Wicket you can bear left across the village green and make your way past a tree-lined pond to this road.
2. You have up to 750m of road walking, but there is a pavement on one side or the other. You pass some distinctive timber-framed Martineau Cottages? on your left and eventually cross the River Blackwater again at Finchampstead Bridge, with an old county boundary post marking your return to Berkshire.
3. You will be turning right to join the Blackwater Valley Path? (BVP), which is 150m away from the river at this point. Strictly speaking you should continue along the road and then turn sharp right onto the signposted public footpath, but there is an unofficial path from the bridge which cuts off this corner and merges with the BVP just beyond a small water treatment plant.
4. Head E on the riverside path for 1 km, passing a number of large flooded gravel pits on your left and crossing a works access track along the way. Eventually the two parallel paths from the Moor Green Lakes car park join from the left and you retrace your outward route for 100m. This time keep left to stay on the BVP, also rejoining the 3CP (in the opposite direction) from the footbridge over the river.
5. In the next 1 km there are several gaps in the undergrowth giving views across Colebrook Lake South and then Grove Lake, with a wooden viewing screen opposite Grove Lake Island (favoured by cormorants). Just after a members-only bird hide there is a wooden kissing gate on the left where the riverside path swings round to the right.

If you are doing the Circular Walk (to Crowthorne), go to §G.

5. Horseshow Lake (SW corner) to Sandhurst Station • Yorktown Road (2½ km)
• Leave the BVP / 3CP by turning left through the gate onto the perimeter path around Horseshoe Lake. Follow the path all the way round to the Horseshoe Lake Activity Centre and its café on the eastern side of the lake. Skirt around the building onto a path heading east through Horseshoe Meadow. Go straight across a road junction and continue along Lower Church Road for 600m. Veer right through Lych Gate Close to meet the A321 at its junction with Yateley Road. Head east along the A321 to Sandhurst station.
  • If finishing here, go up the ramp on this side of the bridge for trains to Wokingham and Reading, or the other ramp for trains to Blackwater and Guildford.
1. Turn left through the gate, leaving the BVP and 3CP. Follow the enclosed path along a wooded strip of land between two lakes. In 175m the path turns right to head E between a field and scrubland for 150m before coming to the edge of Horseshoe Lake. At its north-western corner you pass a “Dog Beach” (but with a “No Swimming” notice for the rest of us).
2. Keep right at path junctions, staying on the perimeter path. In 250m turn right at a path T-junction near the north-eastern corner of the lake. In 100m there is a metal kissing gate on the left into Horseshoe Meadow.

The main route goes past a lakeside café, but if you are not planning to break for refreshments you could take the slightly more direct route in [?].

3. Main route

1. Ignore the gate into the meadow and carry on along the perimeter path, going past wooden barriers onto a grassy strip in front of the Horseshoe Lake Activity Centre?.
2. After a possible refreshment stop in its Lake View Café carry on briefly along the lakeside path and then bear left through the adjoining car park. Just before its exit turn left through a metal kissing gate into Horseshoe Meadow. In 75m turn right at a path junction.

4. Short cut

1. Turn left through the gate into the meadow. Follow the grassy path round to the right to go past the back of the Activity Centre. At a path junction turn left, away from the buildings.
5. Follow the path past a pylon and leave the meadow through a pair of small metal gates. Go straight across a road junction to continue in the same direction on Lower Church Road for 600m. Where this long straight road bends slightly left shortly after passing St Michael's church, turn right into Lych Gate Close.
6. Follow this residential street round to the left. Go past Belfry Mews and then bear right along a short cul-de-sac to a road junction. Cross Yateley Road carefully and head E along the right-hand pavement of the A321.
7. After the road has swerved right and left you pass a couple of refreshment places on the right: the Rose & Crown pub and later the Old Mill Coffee Shop & Cafe in a small parade of shops. The A321 then swings left and right under the railway bridge (where there are ramps on both sides leading up to the platforms of Sandhurst station) and becomes Yorktown Road.

8. Finishing at Sandhurst Station

1. There is no footbridge linking the two platforms. For trains to Wokingham and Reading, go up the ramp on the Rose & Crown side of the bridge to Platform 2. For trains to Blackwater and Guildford, go up the other ramp to Platform 1.
   • Another refreshment place nearby is the Village Inn, 125m beyond the railway bridge on the other side of a mini-roundabout.
6. Yorktown Road to Blackwater Station (3¼ km)
• Continue along the A321 and then cut through Sandhurst Memorial Park to Shepherd Meadows Nature Reserve. Follow the riverside path all the way to Blackwater.
1. To finish at Blackwater you have to go through the town for 800m on Yorktown Road. You pass the Village Inn at a mini-roundabout, followed by several fast food places in a long parade of shops. Eventually you pass a petrol station and in a further 100m can finally turn right into Sandhurst Memorial Park. The final refreshment place along the route is the Sandhurst Park Cafe just inside the entrance.
2. The walk continues on the tarmac path heading E past a skateboard area. Bear right in front of the Council Offices (where there are public toilets) onto a broad surfaced path alongside a water channel, leading to the park's Balancing Pond. Unless you want to do a longer walk around it, keep right to go along its western side.
3. Just before the pond's outflow veer right down the slope on a broad track signposted to Shepherd Meadows. At a path crossing keep ahead to cross the River Blackwater on a footbridge, rejoining the BVP for a pleasant riverside stretch through Shepherd Meadows Nature Reserve?.
   • You could also take the path across the outflow on the left, which goes through meadows but with few views of the river. If you do this, turn right after 500m to cross the river at the next footbridge.
4. After the second footbridge the riverside path splits and you can take either fork; they rejoin in 150m. In a further 400m the path swings left and a footbridge takes you across the river to the other bank. Unless you want to detour through a meadow on the left, follow the riverside path all the way to a busy road junction.
   • The meadow route (a gentle arc round to the right on a grassy path) is not much longer and rejoins the riverside path just before the road junction.
5. At the junction follow the pathway round to the right, crossing the river for the last time. For trains to Guildford and Redhill stay on Station Approach as it descends towards Platform 1 of Blackwater station. For trains to Wokingham and Reading fork left off the approach road onto the pathway alongside the A30. After crossing the railway go down steps to Platform 2.
   • There are some fast food shops and a couple of traditional pubs in the parade of shops beyond the railway bridge. There are cafés in the M&S and Tesco stores (and a Costa) in the Meadows Shopping Centre on the other side of the A321, but this is more awkward to reach.
7. Horseshow Lake (SW corner) to Ambarrow Court (1¾ km)
• Follow the BVP / 3CP between Horseshoe Lake and the river. Just before reaching Mill Lane leave the BVP by turning left onto a path leading to the Horseshoe Lake Activity Centre, with its café. Leave this perimeter path near the north-eastern corner of the lake, going straight ahead across Lower Sandhurst Road. Take the footpath heading north along three field edges, then turn right onto Ambarrow Lane. Where the lane bends left keep ahead on a footpath heading east and cross the A321 into the car park for Ambarrow Court Local Nature Reserve.
1. Follow the riverside path for 600m, with glimpses of Horseshoe Lake through the trees on your left. Just before reaching a gate leading out to a road turn left onto a side path, leaving the BVP. Keep left at path junctions to pass a car park on your right and continue along a strip of grass in front of the Horseshoe Lake Activity Centre?.
2. After a possible refreshment stop at its Lake View Café carry on along the lakeside path, heading N. In 200m keep ahead through a wooden gate, leaving the perimeter path. Go across a horse ride and a lane (Lower Sandhurst Road) onto the continuation of the footpath, just off to the right. Follow a grassy path along the left-hand edge of three fields, still heading N and with several metal kissing gates along the way.
3. In the top left-hand corner of the last field go out through one more gate and turn right briefly onto Ambarrow Lane. Where the lane bends left keep ahead on a footpath signposted to Ambarrow Court. At the far end take great care as you cross the busy A321 into the car park for Ambarrow Court Local Nature Reserve?.
8. Ambarrow Court to Crowthorne Station (1¾ • 2¼ km)
• After a brief detour into Ambarrow Court (or a full circuit around it), take any route around (or over) Ambarrow Hill to the north-eastern corner of the reserve. Cross the railway on Kiln Bridge and turn left, leaving the 3CP. Follow the footpath alongside the railway to Crowthorne station. Trains to Blackwater and Guildford leave from this side; cross the road bridge for trains to Wokingham and Reading.

An information panel at the back of the car park shows two short trails, with blue waymarkers for the Ambarrow Court circuit and red ones for Ambarrow Hill. The route described here temporarily leaves the 3CP to follow part of each trail, with an optional extension along the Ambarrow Court circuit.

1. Main route

1. Take the tarmac driveway to the right of the information panel, parallel with the main road. In 125m turn left onto a sandy side path, which winds through the undergrowth and emerges into the top of a wildflower meadow.
2. After passing a nicely-decorated bench the path swings left and goes back past some large trees to a clearing, with an “Archaeology at Ambarrow” information panel about the old manor house (and a small picnic area just off to the left).
3. Fork right in front of the panel and keep ahead where the path comes out onto a tarmac driveway. Just after this swings round to the right turn left onto a woodland path with a red waymarker post, rejoining the 3CP.

2. Optional extension (+½ km)

1. … Go along this for 300m, later with a wildflower meadow on your left. At the far end of the reserve turn left at a T-junction.
2. As it approaches the railway line on the eastern side of the reserve the track comes to an end and you turn left onto a broad woodland path into the trees. This soon swings left and right to climb gently up an incline.
3. Where the path splits fork left as indicated by a blue waymarker. Shortly after this becomes a tarmac driveway (which leads back to the car park) turn right …

Old OS maps show that the right of way crossed the tracks to the right here, but in 2019 Network Rail closed this pedestrian level crossing. Unlike many such closures, the new right of way through the Ambarrow Hill part of the reserve and across a road bridge is an improvement on the old route.

3. At a three-way footpath signpost keep ahead on the new public footpath, parallel with the railway. The path climbs gently to a small ridge where the suggested route is to keep ahead down the other side, passing the wooded Ambarrow Hill off to your left.
   • If you want to compensate for the lack of Munros on this walk you could veer left and scramble up the side of the hill. There is a nicely-decorated bench at the summit but not much of a view through the pine trees. A less precipitous descent down a flight of log steps on its north side and curving round to the right would lead you to the railway bridge.
4. On the main route the path forks after passing the hill. Ignore the red arrow pointing left to come to a track at the northern end of the reserve. Turn right and cross the railway on Kiln Bridge, heading towards a back entrance into the grounds of Wellington College?.
5. Before reaching the college gate turn sharp left at a footpath signpost to double back towards the railway, leaving the 3CP. The path swings round to the right and continues alongside the private college grounds for 600m.
6. At the far end follow the path through a small housing development next to Crowthorne station, leaving via a pedestrian side gate if necessary. Trains to Blackwater and Guildford leave from Platform 1, on this side. For trains to Wokingham and Reading cross the railway on the road bridge and go down steps on the left to Platform 2.
   • There are two refreshment places in the parade of shops off to the right on Duke's Ride, The Hive and U.Bakery, plus a convenience store.

Walk Notes

1. The Devil's Highway was the name given by Britons to the Roman Road between London and Silchester (Calleva). There are many dead-straight roads and tracks in the area, but surprisingly few are actually shown on the map as Roman Roads.
2. The Wellingtonia Avenue redwoods were planted in the 1860s as a tribute to the Duke of Wellington, who had died in 1852 shortly before Sequoiadendron giganteum was discovered in the Sierra Nevada.
3. Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve supports a wide range of wildlife. The viewing hides are only open to members but there are several places where you can get good views from the perimeter path. The reserve is due to be extended to include the flooded gravel pits to the west.
4. The Three Castles Path runs for 98 km between Winchester Great Hall (the only surviving part of the town's castle) and Windsor Castle; the third castle is Odiham, whose ruins are passed on Walk #84. The route is based on the 13^thC journeys made by King John at the time of Magna Carta.
5. The name Eversley means ‘wild boar clearing’, hence the boar on the village sign.
6. The Martineau Cottages on Longwater Road were built between 1890 and 1905 by the philanthropist John Martineau, with uplifting mottos carved over the door or windows. There are others in Walsham le Willows, Suffolk.
7. The Blackwater Valley Path runs for 37 km, from the river's source near Aldershot in Surrey to Swallowfield in Hampshire, just beyond where the river merges with the Whitewater to become the Broadwater.
8. Horseshoe Lake Activity Centre offers sailing, kayaking and similar activities. The name of the lake comes from the shape of its small island.
9. Shepherd Meadows Nature Reserve consists of wildflower meadows and woodland alongside the River Blackwater. It is named after the wildlife artist David Shepherd.
10. Ambarrow Court Local Nature Reserve was opened in 2002 and consists of two merged areas. Ambarrow Court was a country residence which was bought by the MoD in 1940 and used as a radio research centre, but it fell into disuse after WW Ⅱ; Bracknell District Council acquired the southern part of the site after the house was demolished. In the northern part (owned by the National Trust) Ambarrow Hill is thought to be man-made but archaeologists have been unable to establish its purpose.
11. Wellington College grounds are open to the “Friends of Wellington College” but not to the general public. The college itself is 750m away and not visible from the public footpath.

» Last updated: July 17, 2025

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