Nettlebed, 702868 13 miles, Explorer 171, (Nettlebed, Nuffield, Sywncombe, (Russell’s Water), Bix Bottom, Crocker End, Nettlebed)

Turn in to north of Nettlebed to Henley road and park east of the bus shelter, walk along this road in an ENE direction, at junction turn right and then left down track. After about 500yds arrive at ‘T’ junction turn right, at main road cross onto footpath / track. In 200 yds footpath bears right away from track (follow arrows) it then bears left before arriving at cross roads with a track, turn left. After 200yds track forks take right hand track which shortly bears right. In 200yds pass ‘Merrimoles’ on left, at cross roads turn left, forward 150yds, at  next cross roads turn right and follow track to main road. Cross road to follow Deadmans Lane passing ‘Merrimoles Farm’ on right. Keep on lane for about  ½ mile, ignoring footpath to right, until you reach a mettled road, turn left to follow road uphill. At ‘T’ junction turn right, ignore footpath to left, bear right of Howberrywood Farm buildings and continue following Howberrywood Lane for about ¾ mile. Where track bears right go forward on footpath ignoring all other paths (at this point there is a meeting of 6 footpaths).  The lanes continues straight ahead for a further ¾ mile, passing Elderberry Cottage on left, go forward ignore paths to the left go forward 80 yds to road .

Cross road left and immediately right to follow sign-posted road towards Nuffield church. Just before the church which is on the left hand side of the road turn right onto Ridgeway footpath. This will lead you across a field to  a golf course. Follow the unique way marks across golf course to pass between house and outhouse and on the main road. Go left then right continuing to follow Ridgeway down through wood. At edge of wood go forward across field to cross bridleway, then forward to small wood after crossing large field (note views to left). At junction ahead follow path / track to right  to pass Ewelme Park on left, go straight ahead to cross roads and bear right at end of barns continuing to follow Ridgeway. Follow track along right hand edge of field to corner of Straights Plantation, ignore footpath into wood on right continue forward to enter Jacob’s Tent (wood), follow track down hill through wood and field to meet ‘T’ junction, turn right. At Swyncombe church on right enter church yard, follow path around left hand end of church, exit through gate ahead, turn immediately left. The path goes through shrubbery ignore path to left, follow path around to right then immediately left to cross private road to Swynecombe House. Keeping palling fence on left forward 20 yds to enter field. Bear right, keep enclosure with palling fence in left walk uphill to gate into wood.

Shortly after entering wood take right fork, this bears around o the right, ignore footpath on left. Where footpath meets mettled road turn left on to it. Follow road to exit estate. Ignore track to left, pass Parkcorner Farm on right , meet main road ahead. Go right then left onto minor road, go forward ignore footpath on left. Where road turns sharply right go forward and 100yds ignore footpath to right but go through  gate to follow enclosed footpath ahead into Priors’ Wood. The path climbs upto Redpits Manor , follow waymarks around buildings (BRIDLEWAY) and descend along track to meet crossing track, turn right. (Russell’s Water at top of hill ahead). Follow this track (later becoming a mettled road) for about two miles as it bends back and forward along the base of the valley. You will pass after about 1½ miles the Warburg Nature Reserve office. On arriving at the ruins of St James’s Church (on right), turn right just beyond the ruins and follow the footpath uphill. This goes through Wellgrove Wood  then across a field to a gate into Crocker End hamlet. Follow path around to right and take first road to left between houses. At road junction go ahead down then uphill to hamlet of Catslip. At end of houses on right turn right next to Catslip sign, you are now on the path that you followed at the start. Follow this track for 500yds then right then left across road to follow road back to Nettlebed. 

If you encounter any problems with this walk please contact Richard or Nick.