The Cottage Inn circular, Upper Bucklebury

Start : The Cottage Inn, Upper Bucklebury (RG7 6QJ) Grid ref. SU 545 686

(S/E) Turn right from the pub and walk towards Newbury.

(1) Then turn left into Long Grove, immediately before the garage. Go ahead for some 800 yds, when the track becomes a footpath, and on emerging from the wood it goes downhill at the side of a field.

(2) Just before the farm buildings, the footpath turns left. Follow for 200 yds, and by a round wooden pole on the right, fork right on an indistinct path across a cultivated field. Head towards a cabin in a field on the opposite hillside, and bear right downhill to some steps down.

(3) Cross a stream, through a gate and up the field to a gate into a metalled lane. Take the steps on the opposite side and continue on this footpath for about 250 yds when it meets another lane.

(4) Turn left for 200 yds then take the footpath on the right over a stile. Follow this through fields uphill to a gate to the left of more farm buildings.

(5) Turn right along the lane for some 600 yds to a main road.

(6) Cross this and take the ‘Bucklebury Quiet Lane’ for 500 yds to a post reminding you of this.

(7) Now go left and pass to the left of the row of cottages onto a footpath passing the rear of some modern houses. This footpath comes out on the main road, where turn right for the pub. (S/E)

Start : The Cottage Inn, Upper Bucklebury (RG7 6QJ) Grid ref. SU 545 686

Driving to start : About 6 miles from Newbury through Thatcham then follow the road to Upper Bucklebury.

Refreshments: A good country pub, with decent draught beer. Closed on Mondays; no lunchtime food service until Wednesdays.

Find more walks at Newbury Pub Walks here.