Kingsclere and Watership Down, 7 miles, easy/moderate

Join us for a gentle walk through the hills, exploring the beautiful countryside around Kingsclere which inspired Watership Down.

This walk will be led by Shannon & Michael.

Please see our website for more information about the group.

Pace: gentle. Ascent: 200m.

Walk details

We'll head south out of Kingsclere and up onto the hills. From there, we should have panoramic views of the countryside which inspired the novel Watership Down. We'll continue west along the ridgeline for several miles, enjoying the scenery over lunch, before heading back down and into Kingsclere.

Travel details

By public transport

Bus number 32 runs between Newbury and Basingstoke via Kingsclere hourly on a Saturday: https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/South/Basingstoke/5th%20May%202024/Basingstoke%2032_05-05-24.pdf

From Newbury, catch the 32 from Newbury Wharf at 10:40, which arrives into Kingsclere (St. Mary's Church) at 11:05.

From Basingstoke, catch the 32 from the Bus Station at 10:40, or from opposite the train station at 10:44, which arrives into Kingsclere at 11:10.

From Reading, you can choose to either go via Newbury or Basingstoke: there are regular trains to both places, and we will wait for both buses to arrive.

By car

There a few car parking spaces opposite the church, but if these are full, you can turn by McCoys, and you'll find Anchor Road Council Parking with about 25 spaces. This parking all appears to be free from what I can find online, but please check when you get there.

Notes

• Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
• It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
• Please contact the leaders directly if you are delayed on the day or can't find the group (find contact details on our website). We are unlikely to respond to Meetup comments or messages sent on the day of the walk in enough time to be helpful.