Crowthorne to Martins Heron via The Devil's Highway, around Reading

Start : Crowthorne Railway Station (RG45 6NZ) Grid ref. SU 823 637

(S) From Crowthorne main station forecourt cross St Francis Close and turn right at the public footpath sign through the gates into the new development.

(1) Pass to the left of a large property and soon enter the extensive grounds of Wellington College (A) on a footpath alongside the railway track. On reaching a gate, turn right on Rambler's Route on a fenced path with playing fields on the left.

After re-entering the woodland, keep to the main path on Ramblers' Route. Continue ahead at the next junction on the path between houses into Chiltern road, on the outskirts of Sandhurst. Turn left, following the road round to the right.

(2) Turn left into Grampian Rd and almost immediately turn right on a rising path.

(3) At the junction with a track (Sandy Lane) turn left. Enter woodland on a gradually rising path and keep ahead on the main track. Pass to the left of Edgebarrow Hill to reach B3348.

Cross with care to the bridleway opposite and proceed along the outskirts of Wildmoor Heath Nature Reserve, an area of preserved heath managed in the traditional way. It has an interesting variety of wildlife. Go through the gate and continue to the footpath junction.

(4) Turn left on the footpath and leave the Nature Reserve through a gate. Turn right on a good path through trees and pass another entrance to the Reserve. Continue ahead to surfaced crossing track. Go ahead over a stile into tree-lined path.

(5) Emerging from trees, bear right along the field boundary. Pass to the left of Broadmoor Farm to reach Eastern Lane. Continue ahead along the lane. Go into the wooded area on a footpath, cross the new road and keep left on the footpath. Pass to the left of ponds and climb Butter Hill on an undulating path to reach a major crossing track, The Devil's Highway, once a Rom an road from London to Calleva Atrebatum at Silchester.

(6) Turn right on Ramblers' Route along the Devil's Highway and go under the A3095.

(7) Half-way up a second rise at the crossing track turn left before the gate with the boundary on the right. Rhododendrons bloom here in spring. Pass Pip's seat at a path junction and continue ahead on curving path through the area known as Wickham Bushes. There was once a small Roman industrial town here, ideally positioned on high ground above the Roman road.

(8) At the cross-track, as the path starts to descend, turn right uphill on a public footpath and soon reach the Iron Age hill fort of Caesar's Camp.

(9) To proceed straight to the Look Out and refreshment follow the signs.

''To explore the hill fort turn left into the site on the public footpath, crossing an area that has been returned to its natural heath. Go ahead at the path junction for a short distance to view the fort's line of defence that comprised the inner bank, ditch and outer bank. Retrace steps to the path junction and take a turning now on the left on a steeply descending track. Go through the gate.

At the bottom and turn right along the fence. At cross-track turn left and keep to the right at the next junction.

(10) Pass to the right of Garmoor Farm, soon coming to main track at a junction. Turn left for the Lookout Heritage Centre where refreshment is available. Leave the Centre through the car park on Ramblers' Route and cross to a path through trees leading to the pedestrian crossing over the B3430.

(11) Cross the road and soon turn right on Ramblers Route and pass to the right of Coral Reef swimming pool.

(12) Cross the A322 via the footbridge. Turn left and bear right on the cycle-way. Keep ahead for some distance past Crown Wood and a children's playground.

(13) Turn left at a cycle-way junction and continue between road and stream and past the Woodcutters (pub) and shops.

(14) Pass lake and keep right on cycle-way, soon coming to the main road and 'cycleway ends' sign.

(15) Bear round to the left, still on cycle-way, and continue to a junction just before bridge under the railway.

(16) Turn right for Martin's Heron Station. (E)

Start : Crowthorne Railway Station (RG45 6NZ) Grid ref. SU 823 637

Maps : Map OS Explorer 144 and Map OS Explorer 160

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

(A) Wellington College was founded in 1859 when Crowthorne was a hamlet of a few cottages and an inn. About the same time Broadmoor Criminal Asvlum also came into existence some two miles away. As the two institutions grew in size so too did Crowthorne, and a newtown was born. Doctor Benson, the first headmaster of Wellington College, later became
the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Heritage Centre is very popular with families with young children. As well as adventure playgrounds and 'Go Ape, bicycles may be hired and there are miles of forest trails to explore. With the Coral Reef swimming complex just over the road there is plenty to do for a great day out with the kids.