Ashald one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

We walked this route on 2nd September on a warm sunny day. I agree with all of the comments of the previous two reviewers, overall it was a pleasant and easy to follow route, with the one exception of the paths through the fields either side of the M4.

Whereas for the previous reviewers the footpath across these fields was not obvious even when they were empty, in our case there was a standing crop of 7-8 foot high maize in both fields and there was absolutely no discernible footpath or way of fighting through either of them. We too skirted round the fields on the roads to cross the M4, but be warned the Baydon Road on the south side of the M4 crossing is a fast road with a bend and it was difficult to hop out of the way of cars onto the verges as they are covered in nettles.

Other than this the walk was very enjoyable and easy to follow.

The description in previous review was great and we had the same.
Great views and paths and bridleways for the first 2/3 walk.
Again the path to the M4 crossing was not visible and we used the track and then small road to a housing estate to access the crossing. The field had just been mowed so was okay but no visible path so we had to sight the gate on the other side and head for that. Across a busy road from Aldbourne and then on to a brideway to Aldbourne. This path was quite rutted and will be harder to use in the winter as will hold water.
All in all a pleasant walk on a lovely sunny warm November day.

A lovely route travelling mainly on wide easy-to-follow byways and bridleways including part of the Ridgeway. Great views from the Ridgeway to the north, then as the route turns south, across to Uffington Castle, Ashdown House and after crossing the M4 views down to Aldbourne itself, nestling in the trees.
Starting in Ashbury, a footpath behind the Church climbs up between the fields to meet the Ridgeway. Turning right onto the Ridgeway (Photo 1), the route levels off for the next few km before it turns left onto a wide bridleway heading south (Photo 2). Following this uphill slightly, the views open up to both the east and west. Over the hill, the bridleway continues down (Photo 3) to join a good track (Photo 4) and glimpses of the M4 can be seen in the distance.
At around the 6.8km mark, the GPX track disappears into a field and makes a slightly convoluted approach to the bridge which crosses the M4. I ignored this and simply continued on the track to the road and just followed the road itself (no pavement) to the bridge crossing. The road seems to be just a quiet loop from the nearby village of Baydon, servicing a few farms and houses. I didn’t encounter any traffic.
After crossing the M4, the route takes an immediate left onto a bridleway (Photo 5) which initially runs alongside the motorway then climbs up to meet the road. As this was a recently ploughed up field the path here was not very clear. Staying true to the GPX track though brings you to a narrow gap in the fence by the road (Photo 6). Take care here as it pops straight out onto the Baydon Road with the national speed limit.
The route crosses the road to a byway opposite (Photo 7) and then it is a pleasant and easy walk downhill to Aldbourne which can soon be seen in the distance (Photo 8). You arrive into Aldbourne via its attractive village green and church (Photo 9). Although no refreshment stops on the route, the village has a couple of pubs, shops and a café.

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