Easdid two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Walked from Didcot to East Ilsley. Straightforward navigation, we were seemingly accompanied by skylarks the entire route. Quite exposed so wind made it feel colder than it was. Good picnic spot next to the pond in East Ilsley, but also two pubs nearby.

East Ilsey to Didcot (Easdid 2) review.

A very enjoyable and peaceful route which crosses the Ridgeway and then offers wide views over the landscape between there and Didcot.

The route begins at the village of East Ilsey. There’s a choice of two pubs: The Swan and The Crown & Horns. East Ilsey is the nodal point for seven Slow Ways, so I expect to be revisiting sooner or later. it can be reached by the No. 6 bus from Newbury.

The route takes a grassy path (Photo 1) ascending onto the Ridgeway National Trail. This is a very brief visit, as the route heads along a footpath opposite out onto the downs (Photo 2).

The Slow Way crosses over a dismantled railway and joins a tarmacked lane (Photo 3). The route continues north straight as an arrow, becoming a grassy path (Photo 4), then back to a lane on the approach into Upton.

There is a break point at The George & Dragon (Photo 5). It’s a short walk through Upton, and then a footpath, to reach the same dismantled railway as earlier.

It is a pleasant walk along the railway path (Photo 6). There are plenty of wooden benches along the route. Note: It is a short detour off the path to the Fleur De Lys pub in East Hagbourne, popular for its music scene.

The route ends with an urban walk into Didcot. This passes by the Orchard shopping centre on the way to the station.

A great route starting with a couple of gentle downland hills and then a flat finish along the railway path from Upton into Didcot. On the first section (which is the same as Easdid One) you are surrounded by great views of the Downs followed by views over to Blewbury and the Wittenham Clumps.

Starting in East Ilsley the route initially climbs up to the Ridgeway on a grassy track (Photo 1) before crossing the gallops (Photo 2 & 3) and descending down to join a no-through road at Churn Farm. There is no pavement but plenty of space on the verge to avoid the occasional car or farm vehicle (Photo 4). The route then gently climbs on a track between the fields (Photo 5) before dropping down through woodland to Upton (Photo 6).

At Upton, the route emerges onto the A417 road just up from the George and Dragon pub. A short walk through the village leads to the railway path (Photo 7) which takes you all the way to Didcot. The railway path has a good surface and is popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. There are several viewpoints over to Blewbury and East Hagbourne with an interesting variety of benches from which to enjoy them (Photo 8). You can explore the church and village of East Hagbourne with a short detour from the railway path.

At the end of the railway path, the route continues alongside the road on a shared pedestrian and cycle path passing right by the main shopping centre before ending at Didcot station.

Easdid two is an incredible walk through the beautiful Berkshire countryside. The route creator has curated an excellent route which has a mixture of soaring views, narrow 'secret' footpaths and delightful villages and churches.

We walked this in reverse but it will work fine in both directions. I think it would be very difficult to wheel though as there is a lot of soft ground and some narrow paths.

So far, this in my favourite Slow Way to date!.

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.