Aldhun one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Aldbourne to Hungerford 1 (Aldhun 1) review.

A relaxing Slow Way across the North Wessex Downs: first south along a byway through the downs, and then east following the River Kennet to the Kennet & Avon Canal at Hungerford.

The picturesque village of Aldbourne is recognisable to 1970s Doctor Who fans. The church (Photo 1), village green, Blue Boar pub and nearby Four Barrows all featured in ‘The Daemons’.

The Slow Way takes Love’s Lane south to Ramsbury. This begins as a footpath but eventually becomes a tarmacked lane (Photo 2). Note: the marked footpath through Love’s Farm is inaccessible, so keep going along the lane.

Ramsbury is a break point with a choice of pubs. The Slow Way crosses the River Kennet and then turns eastwards (Photo 3).

The route takes a footpath and then a lane past ruins of a Roman villa and the grounds of Littlecote House Hotel. There is a stretch of road with a grass verge (Photo 4).

The Slow Way turns south for a footpath that ascends through a copse (Photo 5) and then descends through fields with a good view down into Hungerford.

There is a short stretch of pavement alongside the A4, then a footpath across Freeman’s Marsh (Photo 6).

The walk into Hungerford is mainly along the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath (Photo 7).

A little warning. Just north of Ramsbury, at Love's Farm on Love's Lane the land owner had added a series of electric fences over the right of way. The stile to the north of the farm is broken and there is no easy way over the fence. I wonder how that happened? If you don't fancy this obstacle course or if it's not been removed, simply stick to Love's lane and you'll be fine. The lane is beautiful walk as it is.

I walked this route with Slow Ways Darren who was good company and navigated us most of the way.

This is a great Slow Way and a thoroughly enjoyable way to walk between Aldbourne and Hungerford.

Someone might want to add an alternative route that is more off-lane, wooded and direct... but I'll be very pleased to walk this route (minus the electric fences) any time!.

This is a delightful route from Aldbourne linking through to Hungerford. There are some way guiding / access issues around Love's farm which need investigating and some questionable rights of way that need to be checked through. However the majority of this walk runs parallel to the River Kennet beside arable land which makes it both beautiful and easy to follow. It then drops down to Hungerford and the Kennet and Avon canal which provides a spectacular ending. Hungerford has everything you'd need at the end of your trip.

A pleasant easy-to-follow route travelling mainly on good tracks (no stiles) and passing by the Littlecote Roman Mosaic and the Littlecote Tudor mansion, now a hotel. There are some sections of road without pavement, the busiest being the kilometre after Littlecote towards Chilton Foliat.

Starting in Aldbourne, the route initially climbs out of the village on the road to a junction of a byway and footpath which head in the same direction (Photo 1). The signposted footpath through the gate and alongside the field has the best views – looking back you can see Aldbourne nestling in the trees (Photo 2). The footpath meets the byway and heads downhill through the woods eventually turning into the no-through road of Loves Lane (Photo 3). The road surface improves as it heads into the village of Ramsbury.

At Ramsbury the route turns right to go around the outskirts of the village to Mill Lane. If you want to explore the pretty village or have a refreshment stop at one of the pubs/café/shop it’s shorter to go left or cut though the Church to the High Street. The route is easily re-joined along the High Street or via Scholards Lane.
Out of Ramsbury, the route follows the flat track parallel to the River Kennet all the way to Littlecote (Photo 4).

Arriving at Littlecote, it’s worth a short detour to look at the Roman Mosaic - a path on the left (Photo 5) will direct you.

From Littlecote, a walk down the hotel drive (Photo 6) leads onto the road (Photo 7) for approx. 1km. Leaving the road, a footpath (narrow in places – Photo 8) climbs up through the woods before emerging on a hill overlooking Hungerford (Photo 9). From here it’s an easy walk downhill to cross the A4 onto Freemans Marsh (Photo 10) and join the canal towpath into Hungerford.

The route leaves the towpath at the Church, making its way through the town to the station. Alternatively, stay on the towpath to access Hungerford from the bridge at the bottom end of the High Street.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.