Coombe Gibbet Hike & The Highest Hill in South East England

This is a linear walk starting at Hungerford Train Station and ending at Kintbury train station. A hike that visits the notorious Coombe Gibbet on Gallows Down and we also go to the highest natural point in South East England.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5a9AbqTkFc

History

The Gibbet (A Gibbet is an instrument of public execution but gibbeting refers to the use of a gallows-type structure from which the dead bodies of criminals were hung on public display to deter other potential criminals), was erected in 1676 for the purpose of gibbeting the bodies of George Broomham and Dorothy Newman and it has only ever been used for them.

The hike will follow three national trails in the area, we head south from Hungerford through Ham and onto Inkpen Hill. We will then traverse across the ridge to the highest natural point of South East England giving us excellent views of the surrounding area before heading north to Kintbury with an opportunity to stop in a local pub if time allows.

During the hike, Dorian will point out and talk about things of interest in this beautiful part of England including but not limited to Gallows Down, Coombe Gibbet, Long Barrow, Fort, ancient moats and manor houses that we will pass on the way. If the weather allows, we will aim to take our lunch at a high point of the walk which would give excellent views of the surrounding area.

Start of hike: Hungerford Train Station (Connections with London Paddington)

Hike start time: 11:15 am

Train from Paddington at 10:07 am

End of hike: Kintbury Train Station (Connections with London Paddington)

Distance: 21 km

Duration: between 5-6 hours

Hike leader: Dorian

Price: £5 (+Paypal fee)

Meeting time and place: London Paddington at 09:30 am.

Train tickets are not included, however, we are happy to meet you in London Paddington and help you to sort out the tickets together in order to get a group discount. If London Paddington is not convenient for you, please feel free to meet us at Hungerford Train Station, we will get to Hungerford at 11:11 am.

Please note that we will be taking 10:07 am train, so we will wait at the meeting point until 09:45 am, we'll then go in small groups to buy our tickets ( please make sure that you arrive on time as we will not be waiting for the latecomers).

Cancellations:

Please note that unless the trip is cancelled the payments are non-refundable as the costs need to be paid in advance. However, you may be able to sell your place to your friends or other group members.