Cholsey Circular via Aston

Start : Cholsey Railway Station (OX10 9QD) Grid ref. SU 584 860

(S/E) From the station immediately turn left alongside the railway. Keep ahead on the road then follow it round to the right. Opposite Sandy Lane take the footpath on the left.

(1) Go under the railway bridge and turn immediately right. Cross the footbridge, now alongside the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway which runs occasional steam trains in the summer months. The aspect soon opens up with views towards Wittenham Clumps and the church of St Mary's, which possibly dates back to Saxon times.

(2) Cross the ditch, go through the gate and bear left towards the church. Enter the churchyard and before reaching the church entrance bear left and head for North-West corner of the churchyard. (A)

(3) Leave the churchyard and turn right across the field and at the junction turn left by farm buildings. Follow the track over the railway, past Lees cottages and keep straight on when the gravel track veers right. Keep ahead with a strip of woodland (The Lees) on the right to the T-junction.

(4) Turn right then left over a water course and follow the path, right, with the water course on the right. Keep to the path as it veers left and left again, passing under power lines to cross a large field with another watercourse, rich in wildlife, on the right.

(5) At the end of the field turn right along the boundary for some time then continue ahead on the surfaced track. Go through the gate and keep in the same direction then veer slightly left and continue between trees to the lane in Aston Tirrold.

(6) Turn left along Aston Street and on reaching St Michael's church turn right on a footpath through the churchyard. Cross the track and keep ahead to the lane.

(7) Turn right for refreshments at the Chequers. Otherwise, turn left along the lane past Keeper's Cottage and the Old Bake House. At the road junction bear round to the right.

(8) Then turn left on a gravel track between mature chestnut trees. Stay on the main track for a mile as Lollingdon Hill comes into view ahead and then on the right.

(9) Pass Lollingdon Farm and track on the right and soon turn left through a gate on the footpath. Cross
the second field to a gate.

(10) Cross the water course and keep ahead along two more fields, passing a pylon. Cross a track and continue to the end of the field. Cross a clear stream, veer slightly left across the field and go under the two railway bridges.

(1) Turn right on the track leading to the residential road, turn right and retrace steps back to the station.(S/E)

Start : Cholsey Railway Station (OX10 9QD) Grid ref. SU 584 860

Refreshments : At waypoint (7) Refreshment at the Chequers in Aston.

Find more information and walks at Round Reading Walks website here.

(A) Agatha Christie is buried beside the north wall. The ornate gravestone bears her married name of Mallowan.