Vernham Dean — Newbury
Vernew two
Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Vernew here.
Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Vernew here.
By charding on 07 Jan 2022
Description
Head north to Rockmoor Down, then follow the Test Way to Gallows Down. Continue east along the ridge on Wayfarer’s Walk. After a brief road section by West Woodhay Down, continue along the ridge, then after a further kilometre, turn left on a footpath running NE towards Field Barn. Follow the road past North End Farm, then turn left through the woods to Ball Hill. Head north, then follow the road to Crockham Heath. Finally, follow footpaths to Skinners Green, and into Newbury. Use the canal to get to the town centre
Head north to Rockmoor Down, then follow the Test Way to Gallows Down. Continue east along the ridge on Wayfarer’s Walk. After a brief road section by West Woodhay Down, continue along the ridge, then after a further kilometre, turn left on a footpath running NE towards Field Barn. Follow the road past North End Farm, then turn left through the woods to Ball Hill. Head north, then follow the road to Crockham Heath. Finally, follow footpaths to Skinners Green, and into Newbury. Use the canal to get to the town centre
Status
This route has been reviewed by 1 person.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Vernew two
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Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 1
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (1)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 1
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Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Vernham Dean
Grid Ref
SU3412856546
Lat / Lon
51.30701° / -1.51178°
Easting / Northing
434,128E / 156,546N
What3Words
maple.factored.comet
Newbury
Grid Ref
SU4733567106
Lat / Lon
51.40102° / -1.32092°
Easting / Northing
447,335E / 167,106N
What3Words
fades.rewarding.sorry
| Vernham Dean | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | SU3412856546 |
| Lat / Lon | 51.30701° / -1.51178° |
| Easting / Northing | 434,128E / 156,546N |
| What3Words | maple.factored.comet |
| Newbury | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | SU4733567106 |
| Lat / Lon | 51.40102° / -1.32092° |
| Easting / Northing | 447,335E / 167,106N |
| What3Words | fades.rewarding.sorry |
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review
Martin Ellis
15 Jun 2023Vernham Dean to Newbury 2 (Vernew 2) review.
One of the longer Slow Ways to explore the wonderful North Wessex Downs AONB. This takes in a couple of local landmarks on the escarpment. The footpath descent from it, however, does need taking with caution.
From the village of Vernham Dean, the route follows footpaths and lanes to join the Test Way walking route (Photo 1) as it ascends towards the escarpment ridgeway (Photo 2).
The Slow Way follows the Wayfarer’s Walk east atop the escarpment. There are excellent views north over the farmland and woods. Two landmarks of interest are the macabre Combe Gibbet (Photos 3 & 4) and Walbury Hill, the highest point in South East England (Photo 5).
The route leaves the Wayfarer’s Walk for a footpath that is a direct descent off the escarpment (Photos 6 & 7). I found it a tricky downward scramble, not helped by a lack of handholds. I would recommend a stick or pole. Do be careful!
The long walk NE into Newbury is a pleasant mixture of quiet village lanes and footpaths (Photos 8 & 9). A couple of places were very overgrown on my walk (Photo 10).
Pub break points are a possibility with short detours, but I didn’t investigate this option. One can sense Newbury is nearby as crops give way to equestrian pursuits.
The approach to Newbury makes good use of a Berkshire Circular Route; across fields (Photo 11) and a foot bridge over the A34.
Finally, the Slow Way takes footpaths to reach the Kennet and Avon Canal, and then follows the towpath (Photo 12) the rest of the way into town.
In conclusion, this is an excellent Slow Way to enjoy the North Wessex Downs. Albeit one that requires a stout walking stick, and a first aid kit for stings and scratches.
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