Kintad one

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Kingsclere to Tadley (Kintad 1) review.

Note: I walked Tadley to Kingsclere. A Hampshire Slow Way through woods past a nature reserve, followed by country lanes. There’s a section of B-road to traverse outside Kingsclere.

The route out of Tadley makes use of relatively quiet streets and footpaths. It leaves town past The Badgers’ Wood pub. The footpath beyond was muddy in places (Photo 1).

The route briefly joins the Brenda Parker Way (a long-distance path across Hampshire) through woods; but soon turns south at the corner of the Ashford Hill nature reserve (Photo 2).

The route southwest towards Kingsclere alternates between wide footpaths past fields and woods, and tarmacked lanes (Photos 3 & 4).

Unfortunately, the B3051 into Kingsclere has narrow verges (Photo 5). The traffic on my walk was not so bad as to cause safety concerns, but I had to be extra vigilant.

A footpath on the right links back with the Brenda Parker Way to reach the A 339. As has been pointed out in an earlier review, the footpath opposite is rather hidden. Head right a short distance to find it!

The footpath leads to the end of the walk, by the church in the centre of Kingsclere. There are pubs, convenience stores and a café near to hand.

Final note. Before writing this review, I checked the Kintad 2 route. It does add a mile to the distance but has two advantages. Firstly, it passes through Ashford Hill nature reserve, which is well worth the detour. Secondly, it avoids the B-road section.

Shortly after leaving Tadley Post Office the route turns right off Mount Pleasant. A house has been built where the path is indicated and walkers are obliged to access the path via Carrington Crescent. The route is then easily followed until Great Haughurst Copse where a GPS device is a definite asset. Just prior to this the section of path between Brimpton Road and Inhurst Lane was deep in mud despite the recent weather having been relatively dry. The rest of the route is cross country and whilst very muddy in places, there are parallel paths that can be followed. On the approach to Kingclere the route goes down Little Knowl Hill. This is a busy road with bends and no footpaths. Towards the bottom of the hill the route turns right into pastures, passing round some houses before coming out on the A339. It is indicated that the route continues directly opposite but in fact a 50yd dogleg to the right is needed to find the narrow gap through the opposite hedgerow. The route is then easily followed to the centre of Kingsclere.

Shortly after leaving Tadley Post Office the route turns right off Mount Pleasant. A house has been built where the path is indicated and walkers are obliged to access the path via Carrington Crescent. The route is then easily followed until Great Haughurst Copse where a GPS device is a definite asset. Just prior to this the section of path between Brimpton Road and Inhurst Lane was deep in mud despite the recent weather having been relatively dry. The rest of the route is cross country and whilst very muddy in places, there are parallel paths that can be followed. On the approach to Kingclere the route goes down Little Knowl Hill. This is a busy road with bends and no footpaths. Towards the bottom of the hill the route turns right into pastures, passing round some houses before coming out on the A339. It is indicated that the route continues directly opposite but in fact a 50yd dogleg to the right is needed to find the narrow gap through the opposite hedgerow. The route is then easily followed to the centre of Kingsclere.

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