Huneas two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Huneas here.

Hungerford to East Ilsley 2 (Huneas 2) review.

At almost thirty kilometres, a particularly long Slow Way across the North Wessex Downs, exploring its downland and woodland landscapes.

Note: I walked East Ilsley to Hungerford. I walked it over two days, breaking and resuming at Wickham. Hungerford has a train station. The rural buses I used were from Newbury: 4/4a towards Lambourn, and 6/6a to East Ilsley.

East Ilsley, a village once famed for its sheep market, has a choice of amenities. I’ve become familiar with The Swan during my Slow Ways excursions (Photo 1).

The route leaves the village southwest along a footpath with great views over the surrounding fields (Photos 2 & 3). The harvested crop made spotting the point to leave the path and head west tricky.

A light aircraft suddenly appeared overhead. I was puzzled as to where it had sprung from. Turns out I’d just missed seeing it take off from a grass runway, which cuts across the Slow Way! (Photo 4).

There’s a break point in Peasemore at The Fox pub. Take the footpath opposite the church.

The field footpath toward Leckhampstead has a wide wildflower corridor with shrubs (Photo 5). Information boards explained how such initiatives supported wildlife. Unfortunately, the former pub in Letchhampstead is now a private home.

A hedge-lined path leads to the B4494 (Photo 6). The B-road verge has a bit of a step up in places, but traffic was light (Photo 7). The road is eventually left behind for a woodland walk south.

The Slow Way passes a permissive walk around a field of historic interest. It was a practice site for the D-Day landings (Photo 8); for the 101st Airborne Division out of nearby RAF Welford.

A lane crosses the M4 via a bridge, then the River Lambourn (Photo 9), and on into Boxford. There is a break point at The Boxford restaurant. Alternatively, a footpath cuts out this Boxford loop.

The Slow Way briefly joins the Lambourn Valley Way, then there is a lane and a woodland track passing plenty of chickens (Photos 10 & 11). I found navigating the woods confusing, but eventually emerged in Wickham.

There is a breakpoint at the Five Bells pub in Wickham.

The Slow Way takes a footpath west, which then turns south toward Hungerford, passing fields and woods (Photos 12 & 13). A loop into Hungerford Newtown provides a break point at The Tally Ho pub.

The walk continues along Dark Lane (Photo 14). I was concerned traffic would be a problem, but it was quiet on my walk (11am). I assume most traffic use the A338. Large farm vehicles need to be watched out for, as they take up much of the road.

The Slow Way crosses the River Kennet, and approaches Hungerford along the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath (Photo 15).

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.