LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

I parked in Wellesley Drive near Crowthorne railway station and walked over the railway bridge, past shops to the entrance of Wellington College along B3348. I took care along the drive as there was no footpath, using the grass where possible. As it was private land, I didn't trespass from the drive. I returned to Crowthorne station and followed the public footpath between new blocks of apartments to the east side of the railway line and alongside the college private estate past Pollock Bridge to the memorial at Lime Grove. Keeping alert I took the path across the railway tracks from the lane, into Ambarrow Hill National Trust wood to road A321. More care is required at the busy road because of the lack of a footpath. From the main road I followed a high wooden fence to the lane by Ambarrow Farm.  I took the broad track from the lane at an iron gate on the right. What would you have given as a kid to own the playhouse of Ambarrow Lodge on the right, just inside the iron gate? I carefully negotiated the deep rutted muddy path before Boot End. There were rhododendron bushes along the track before Wellingtonia Avenue. A detour is recommended to Finchampstead Ridges for good views to the south-west. I returned to Wellingtonia Avenue and entered Simons Wood. There were more rhododendron bushes but the flowers were slightly past their best. It was a steep descent in places to Heath Pond and the Devil's Highway. There were good views in the sunshine of lilies on the pond with a small island in the background. I took the right fork on the wide track from Devil's Highway to the island at the end of Wellingtonia Avenue on A3421 road. I returned to the car with the sun still shining. I remembered Wellington College from the first walk, but nothing else.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk
Start & Finish: At Crowthorne Station on the A3095

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Number 99