The Red Lion, Axford

Start: The Red Lion, Axford (SN8 2HA) Grid ref. SU 239 701

(S/E) Go back 100 yds or so towards Ramsbury, then turn right at a footpath sign and shortly cross the River Kennet.

(1) In a further 200 yds, on reaching the end of a lane, take the footpath half right and follow this over rising ground, and at the hilltop, bear right on the level for rather over a mile.

(2) After crossing a lane, the path nears some agricultural buildings and starts to lose height, joining another path before dropping more steeply into the valley.

(3) Just after reaching the metalled lane, take the lane to the right.

(4) In 400 yds after a bend to the right, take the footpath off to the right. This follows the river valley and crosses a metalled lane in a mile, before joining another metalled lane at a corner. Follow this for 700 yds.

(5) Where it turns left go straight on for 800 yds down a track.

(1) Then turn left for the footbridge back over the Kennet to return to the pub. (S/E)

Start: The Red Lion, Axford (SN8 2HA) Grid ref. SU 239 701 (Pub permanently closed)

Driving to start: About eighteen miles from Newbury. Take the A4 West, and turn right just after Hungerford onto the A417 towards Swindon. Then turn left through Ramsbury and follow the Marlborough road for about three miles to Axford.

Find more walks at Newbury Pub Walks here.