English Civil War and Hamstead Park Hike in West Berkshire

ENGLISH CIVIL WAR HIKE

Walking through the tranquil scenery of the North Wessex Downs near Emborne, it is hard to imagine that 6,000 men met their deaths on the 20th September 1643 (almost 374 years ago to the day) during the first English Civil War at the first battle of Newbury when 30,000 men fought for control of this land.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

"Having deployed from London to relieve Gloucester from Royalist siege, the Parliamentarian army of the Earl of Essex was intercepted by the King at Newbury. Defeat of Essex's force would probably have meant an end of the war but, after twelve hours of bloody and inconclusive fighting, the exhausted Royalists withdrew"

During the walk the hike leader will provide information on the first battle of Newbury, Benham Valence, Hamstead Park, Kennet & Avon Canal and other points of interest.

The walk meanders through some of the finest countryside in West Berkshire passing through Benham Valence Park and Hamstead Park, this is a relaxed walk with only 130m of total assent. The walk is mainly on good footpaths with the odd section on roads.

Distance: 15 km

Hike leader: Dorian

ROUTING

From Newbury Train Station we follow the Kennet and Avon Canal out of town, we will then leave the canal behind and head to Speen Moor Plantations and Benham Valance before re-joining the canal again at Mash Benham. We may have the opportunity to visit the Red House public house on the way (if it is not too early), however, our lunch stop will be in Hamstead Park.

Lunch: Please bring a packed lunch with you.

After lunch, we will continue our walk back to Newbury passing through the first battle of Newbury site where we can walk to the point where the battle's epicentre was. In Newbury, we can kick back relax and refuel in one of the many hostelries before catching a train back home.

Meeting point: London Paddington

Meeting time: 09:20 AM

Price: £5 (+Paypal fee)

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. Tickets cost approx £23. If London Paddington is not convenient for you, please feel free to meet us at Newbury railway station, we will get to Newbury at 11.00am.

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.