DidcotBerinsfield

Didber one
Not verified

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Didber here.

By WendyTobitt on 21 Apr 2021


Distance

10km/7mi

Ascent

89m

Descent

88m

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So far it has been reviewed by three people and surveyed by one person and there is one issue flagged with this route.

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Description

This Slow Way follows public footpaths/bridleways and you can ramble across the open spaces of Wittenham Clumps, with great views across the River Thames and Dorchester Abbey where the Tea Room is a great place to stop for lunch or tea

This Slow Way follows public footpaths/bridleways and you can ramble across the open spaces of Wittenham Clumps, with great views across the River Thames and Dorchester Abbey where the Tea Room is a great place to stop for lunch or tea

Status

This route has been reviewed by 3 people.

This route has been flagged (1 times) for reasons relating to access.

Photos for Didber one

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.


Information

Not verified

Route status - Live

Reviews - 3

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (2) Maybe (1)

Problems reported -  Access (1)

Downloads - 7

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 4X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Not present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Not present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Not present at time of survey Very slippery (1)
Maybe present Very muddy (1)
Not present at time of survey Very icy (1)
Not present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Not present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Maybe present Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Not present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Not present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Not present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Not present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Not present at time of survey Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Not present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 90.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 25.0% (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 32.0% (1)

The steepest camber: no data

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear in places (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

10.0% of the route is on roads (1)

10.0% of the route is lit at night (1)

5.0% of the route is paved (1)

60.0% of the route is muddy (1)

There is no data on rough ground

There is no data on long grass

Report a problem with this data

1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

4X October 2021 by Martin McGovern
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Didcot
Grid Ref SU5251690502
Lat / Lon 51.61091° / -1.24298°
Easting / Northing 452,516E / 190,502N
What3Words exacts.factor.encroach
Berinsfield
Grid Ref SU5698996391
Lat / Lon 51.66342° / -1.17743°
Easting / Northing 456,989E / 196,391N
What3Words trifling.crackles.songbook

Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.

reviews


Martin Ellis

27 Aug 2023 Summer

Didcot to Berinsfield 1 (Didber 1) review.

Note: I walked Berinsfield to Didcot.

The Slow Way begins by taking the Roman Road south from Berinsfield. Watch out for the A4074 crossing point [SU575952], which I had to double back to find, having walked almost to the bridge crossing.

Dorchester has several amenities on the High Street. The town itself has plenty of history to investigate. The footpath to the Thames has views south over Iron Age earthworks (Photo 1).

The river is crossed via the Little Wittenham Bridge (Photo 2); a former location for the annual World Poohsticks Championships.

The Slow Way invites walkers to climb the steep hill to the Wittenham Clumps (Photo 3). Alternatively, circle the base of the hill to the exit gate. The route then passes the Earth Trust Centre (earthtrust.org.uk) which maintains the green spaces around the clumps.

The couple of miles into Didcot are pleasant footpaths alongside fields (Photo 4). It then crosses the B4016 to enter the Ladygrove Estate: an area undergoing extensive housing development. This section of the route can be bypassed via the B4016 and a footpath to the A4130 [SU538910].

I tried crossing the estate in July 2021 (see Didwal 1) and found the footpath inaccessible. This time, the original footpath past Lady Grove Farm seems to be preserved (Photo 5). I assume the footpath will be there in the long term, although probably disrupted for some time by on-going construction.

The Slow Way ends with an urban walk to Didcot Train Station.

  • Edensyard

    Edensyard

    25 Sep 2023

    Thanks for the update Martin. we can keep tabs on the (new) ladygrove section.

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Edensyard

04 Feb 2023 Winter

When I first arrived in this area I remember noticing the big skies around Didcot and this walk makes the most of them.

The accuracy tag is hopefully temporary and due to construction on the Ladygrove estate, it would be great if a local could re check this in a month or so and PM me to get it removed asap. I visit this area sometimes to visit family.

The route works well. If you dont fancy climbing the clumps for any reason (though it is reccomended) there are good footpaths through Little Wittenham that offers a much more level walk. This route has it's muddy moments but rises above most of the flood prone areas, I walked it in January without problems.

Rough paths in places so not super buggy friendly.

I agree with the previous reviewer - the tearoom in Dorchester is excellent.


Martin McGovern

30 Oct 2021 Autumn

This route has several interesting elements. I walked it on a Saturday in half-term, and walking out of Didcot was rewarded by the sounds of steam engines operating at the Didcot Railway Centre. It also offers reasonable views in the middle section, most notably at Whittenham clumps. At Little Whittenham there's the environmental learning charity Earth Trust; part of the route through Dorchester runs along the Roman road; and the village of Berinsfield was built on the site of a second world war air base.

There are two slightly tricky elements on this route. The first is one of navigation on the eastern edge of Didcot. The building of new housing near Ladygrove Farm makes the route difficult to follow, but minor detours will get you to the B4016 (also called Lady Grove) and across it.

The second tricky element is as you leave Dorchester heading for Berinsfield. The path forks, with the official route taking the right-hand path which is rather indistinct. You then have to cross the A4074 to continue on the Roman road. If you want to avoid this crossing point, you can take the left-hand path, as this runs up to the A415-A4074 roundabout, which provides a more comfortable crossing point.


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