Hook to Winchfield, around Reading

Start : Hook Railway Station (RG27 9HS) Grid ref. SU 724 539

(S) With your back to Hook Railway Station, turn left and climb steps to the road. Turn left, cross the entrance to Tesco, and continue to the roundabout.

(1) Turn left and cross the road at the traffic island. Turn left and shortly bear right on the footpath into trees on Bartley Heath. The acidic, marshy ground here enables m any unusual plants to grow. Ignore the path on the right and continue to the crossing track.

(2) Turn right along the line of power cables. Keep to the same line under more power cables then across uneven ground, eventually reaching the motorway. Keep left to bridge.

(3) Cross the bridge and turn right on a footpath through the wood.

(4) On reaching the cross-path, turn left on an old surfaced road, soon coming to the Bartley Heath pottery and the Lord Derby Inn. Continue to the roundabout, turn right along the pavement and carefully cross the busy A287 when safe to do so.

(5) Turn left along the foot-way, then turn right into the lane leading to a ford. Keep right at the lane junction to reach Warnborough Green. The stream let on the left is an offshoot of the river Whitewater. Ford the main river (which looks more like a duck-pond) and soon after seat bear right through swing-gate on a footpath across the field.

(6) Turn right just before the water, reaching the towpath to view the ruins of Odiham Castle (A), known locally as King John's Castle. To continue the walk, turn left along the towpath of the Basingstoke Canal. Cross the road, go under B3349 and after about a mile come to Colts Hill Bridge.

(7) Then carry straight along the towpath for an extra 3.5 Km to Stacy's Bridge.

(8) Turn left on the footpath at Stacy's Bridge and cross the field into a bluebell wood. Keep ahead over ditch and cross field to the secluded Norman church of St Mary's.

(9) Pass through the churchyard to the road opposite the old school house.

(10) Turn right, pass the former manor house.

(11) Bear left at the road junction, taking care on this buster stretch of road.

(12) Pass under the railway arch and follow the road round to the left to reach Winchfield Railway Station. (E)

Start : Hook Railway Station (RG27 9HS) Grid ref. SU 724 539

Maps : Map OS Explorer144

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

(A) Odiham Castle was built circa 1210 for the huge sum of E1100. The site, within a loop of the Whitewater River, was chosen so the land could be easily flooded in case of attack. It is from here that King John set out for Runnym eade to sign the Magna Carta.