Mortimer to Aldermaston
A really super walk today from Mortimer to Aldermaston. Until today very few of us had heard of Mortimer. Seven walkers five lasses and two lads strode out on a very warm, cloudy and humid day across what seemed to be the largest corn field in England, through fields and woods to the beautiful 12th century church of St. Mary the Virgin where we were just in time for coffee. Then onwards marvelling at the remains of the amazing ancient stout walls of the Roman Town and into a welcoming pub in Silchester. A good quick lunch and on the paths again into a hot sunny afternoon by 1.15pm as Margaret P was keeping a close eye on the day's itinerary. Time passed all too quickly before we were gazing at what seemed to me to be many parts of the River Kennet with a fierce gushing weir, many tiny bridges and magnificent willow trees including what we thought might be a willow plantation growing up to be cricket bats! The afternoon finished with ice cream for a few and the two chaps going off by taxi to collect a car left at Mortimer Station. The rest of us thankfully settled down for the train journey back to Paddington. A well organised enjoyable day with everything going like clockwork.
Cheers - Norma
Joy was very pleased because she heard a Green Finch trilling away in the woods.
xnx
Train 08.42 from Paddington, pl.8, to Reading, arriving at 09.23, pl.8. Change for train to Mortimer at 09.37, pl. 2.
Return: trains from Aldermaston direct to Paddington at 16.18. (next train is at 18.18).(see Notes)
Should we miss the train there is an option of taxi to Theale from where trains to Paddington are hourly
This is an undemanding and lovely walk through fields, woods and commons. Only one stile and no steep climbs.
a.m. Mortimer to Silchester, passing Roman Amphitheatre, 12th century little church of St Mary the Virgin, walking on top of Walls of Roman Town of Calleva Atrebatum.
p.m. Walking mainly through woods of Scots pine and commons of gorse bushes and birch trees to village of Aldermaston and impressive weirs of River Kennet.
This part of the walk can be muddy in places.
Silchester, Calleva Arms (RG7 2PH, tel. 0118 970 0305), that offers an extensive and varied menu : soups, starters, baguettes, roasts etc. Food will be pre-ordered at the start of the walk in order to minimise waiting time. We will have to arrive promptly by 12.30 at the pub as it is very busy on Sundays
Buy return ticket to Mortimer and single from Aldermaston to Reading.