Snelsmore Common Country Park, 464710,  Explorer 158, 12 miles, (Snelsmore, Chieveley, North Heath, Shepherds Hill, Bagnor & Snelsmore)

Coming from the road, just in front of the metal height barrier, turn right on Permissive Bridleway. Ignoring paths left and right continue to road - there turn left. In ¼ mile just before building on left turn right on footpath. At ‘T’ junction turn right, ignoring crossing paths continue to road, turn left. After about ½ mile turn right onto byway. Fork left at Lynnwood House sign and continue to road, here turn left and in 200yds at crossroads left again. Continue along this road then track passed Kites Abbey. At junction with bridleway turn left, this parallels the motorway, in ½ mile turn sharply right to cross motorway via bridge. Follow this bridleway, ignoring paths from the right, into Chieveley. At ‘T’ junction turn right, at next ‘T’ junction left. Pass Post Office on left and Church Lane also on left at next left, Manor Lane, turn left. In 50yds immediately after Wishanger House turn right on footpath, ignore footpath on left.

At the road in village of Downend turn left on byway (New Road). In ½ mile go straight ahead at crossroads, in a further ¼ mile ahead again at second crossroads. Follow track around left then right to pass through farm yard and immerge at road, in 15yds turn left on footpath. At bottom of large field go left then right up hill with small wood on left. At North Heath Farm keep to right of barns. Go through metal gates bear right onto metalled track and then ahead on footpath between fields. At end of enclosed footpath turn right towards road, cross onto byway. At ‘T’ junction turn right and follow track around to left. At end of wood (Pope’s Wood)  turn left onto byway (Green Lane). In ½mile ignore byway to left and go forward on bridleway to cross motorway. Follow bridleway around to the left of farm (Wyfield Manor Farm) continue to follow path across fields to road with house on left (Mud Hall Cottage). Turn right to go up hill towards Shepherd’s Hill. Take first footpath on left over stile into wood. In 30yds left on Public Right of Way. Bear right at fork. Path joins track entering from right. Cross stile into field and bear left to cross further stile in fence. Aim for stile at far end of field, here cross into wood. Ignore byway from right (more than ½ mile) and later footpath from left.

At road bear left, at ‘T’ junction turn right and follow road around to cross river (Lambourn) into Bagnor. Ignore footpath on left, fork left in front of Blackbird pub. At end of houses turn left onto RUPP, ignore footpath on right (Lambourn Valley Way). Follow RUPP ignoring footpath from left at crossroads.  Eventually pass houses on right and enter wood via gate. Fork left, ignore bridleway to right. At ‘T’ junction turn right on track, follow this ignoring all paths left and right. At Snelsmore carpark on left go into carpark via metal gate and follow through bearing right to exit / car.

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