The Black Horse, Checkendon

Start: The Black Horse, Checkendon (RG8 0TE) Grid ref. SU 666 841

(S/E) Turn right out of the pub and shortly right again onto a footpath that bears round behind the pub and comes out onto a metalled lane in 400yds.

(1) Cross this and go down the track opposite that enters a wood.

(2) In about 500yds from the lane turn sharply back to the left on a footpath that rises through the wood. This leads to a stile out into a field (if you find yourself coming out by a poultry farm, go to the left) which you cross to a metalled lane.

(3) Take the footpath opposite, and in 300yds enter a wood.

(4) Take a fork to the left that goes past Checkendon Court to the church. Turn left out of the Court drive onto the main road.

(5) Then right onto a footpath that goes half left to meet a metalled lane in 600yds.

(6) Turn right on this lane for 800yds, then left at a T-junction.

(7) In 250yds, take a footpath left that joins a track to meet the main road in 1000yds.

(8) Cross over and go down the lane bearing left to the pub.(S/E)

Start: The Black Horse, Checkendon (RG8 0TE) Grid ref. SU 666 841

Driving to start: About nineteen miles from Newbury along the B4009 to Streatley, then cross the Thames to Goring and follow the Reading road to Cray's Pond. Go left to Woodcote and follow signs to Checkendon. Go through the village, taking the second left after the church. The pub is 800yds on the left down a rather bumpy narrow lane.

Refreshments: The Black Horse seems to be a pub in a time-warp - decidedly old fashioned with local Oxfordshire beers. Food is limited to filled rolls.

Find more walks at Newbury Pub Walks here.