The Fox circular, Hermitage

Start : The Fox, Hermitage (RG18 9RB) Grid ref. SU 509732

(S/E) Take the Yattendon road for a few yards.

(1) Then take a footpath right on the line of the old railway then shortly left onto another footpath through the woods.

(2) In about 400yds, turn left onto a larger track and follow this through the woods for about 400yds more, then right for another 400yds to emerge onto a track. Follow this to cross a metalled lane.

(3) At the second metalled road go right then left down a track that bears left then goes round a sharp right hand corner.

(4) 600yds later when the track turns sharp left, leave it for a field path on the right.

(5) As this enters a wood in 300yds, turn right and follow the track (Fence Lane) forward for a mile till it comes out on a metalled lane by Grimsbury Castle.

(6) Turn right to a T-junction where take the path down through woods for about 500yds, until you recognise (with luck) the path from the pub.

(2) Turn left to walk back to the pub, which is now about 500yds away. (S/E)

Start : The Fox, Hermitage (RG18 9RB) Grid ref. SU 509732

Driving to start : About six miles from Newbury on the B4009 Streatley road, or you can go to the Chieveley interchange, take the Chieveley slip road and turn right for Hermitage, where turn left on the B4009 for a mile.

Refreshments : The Fox, Hermitage (RG18 9RB) now a very convivial pub with good beer, good snacks and meals and fine waitresses.

Find more walks at Newbury Pub Walks here.