Lifetime of Walks by Derek Harwood

I parked at Snelsmore Common car park, opposite the toilet block. There were paths in all directions as shown on the information board on the edge of the car park. With great care I took the path south to a bridleway (Blue Footpath arrow) and turned right to the east. At the path fork I took the bridleway to the left, passing a hide perched high on the tower to the right. I left the common at a cottage and walked on the right hand boundary of a golf course along a bridleway. The bridleway was moved when the Newbury by-pass was constructed with a bridge to house the bridleway. From the bridleway there were good views to the south and west. The bridleway regained its original location at Castle Farm, just south of the radio aerial masts. Castle Farm barn was now derelict, but the sign showed it once housed 'The Donnington Limousin Herd'. Just south-west of the farm buildings and house was an ancient oak tree with a huge trunk. There was a castle just south of the tree, standing majestic in the sunshine, and the newly manicured lawns around the castle. Only the castle gatehouse was standing, the remains of the rest of the castle only surviving at foundation level. Just before 'The Avenue' of trees was a horse and its foal, side by side and using the other's tail to keep the flies from its face. I took the right turn after the avenue to Donnington Grove House, passing almshouses. Lots of cars were parked around the Grove, some were golfers' cars. The Grove was only visible from the east side without trespassing. I continued westwards towards Bagnor Village via another path diversion over a by-pass bridge. I walked through the village past delightful cottages and a public house to Watermill Theatre and retraced my steps past the public house. I recommend following the bridleway.

	LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD Derek Harwood's Walking Records If you have any queries about the pictures or descriptions e-mail me at: derek@harwoodonline.com

	'AA' - NO THROUGH ROAD - WALKS
	DONNINGTON, BERKSHIRE Monday 5th July 2010 .........................................Walk No. 819
	AA Walks No.46 Total 1078.5 miles Time Taken: 2.00 hrs Distance: Enjoyment: Weather: Warm 11:45 pm - 13:51 pm 5.00 miles 90% Sunny & Calm Temp: Cloud: Rain: Visibility: Ground Conditions: Nature: 22^oC 50% 0% Good Very Dry Horses & Birds Total AA: Total MH: Total LD: Total AW: Other: Total Distance: 1078.5 mls 931.2 mls 2426.5 mls 162.0 mls 1296.2 mls 5895.5 miles Companions: (Derek) Points of Interest and LINKS: AA Walks Donnington Snelsmore Common Donnington Castle River Lambourn Bagnor Description: I parked at Snelsmore Common car park, opposite the toilet block. There were paths in all directions as shown on the information board on the edge of the car park. With great care I took the path south to a bridleway (Blue Footpath arrow) and turned right to the east. At the path fork I took the bridleway to the left, passing a hide perched high on the tower to the right. I left the common at a cottage and walked on the right hand boundary of a golf course along a bridleway. The bridleway was moved when the Newbury by-pass was constructed with a bridge to house the bridleway. From the bridleway there were good views to the south and west. The bridleway regained its original location at Castle Farm, just south of the radio aerial masts. Castle Farm barn was now derelict, but the sign showed it once housed 'The Donnington Limousin Herd'. Just south-west of the farm buildings and house was an ancient oak tree with a huge trunk. There was a castle just south of the tree, standing majestic in the sunshine, and the newly manicured lawns around the castle. Only the castle gatehouse was standing, the remains of the rest of the castle only surviving at foundation level. Just before 'The Avenue' of trees was a horse and its foal, side by side and using the other's tail to keep the flies from its face. I took the right turn after the avenue to Donnington Grove House, passing almshouses. Lots of cars were parked around the Grove, some were golfers' cars. The Grove was only visible from the east side without trespassing. I continued westwards towards Bagnor Village via another path diversion over a by-pass bridge. I walked through the village past delightful cottages and a public house to Watermill Theatre and retraced my steps past the public house. I recommend following the bridleway. Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk Start & Finish: At Snelsmore Common on B4494 North of Donnington Hazards: None Walked Previous: Number 46 Click Here to Return to 'Lifetime of Walks' Homepage



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Derek Harwood: Copyright 2009 Revised: December 2021