St Mary's, Stratfield MortimerA sunny, windy late afternoon and just time for a nice stroll. This 4.5 mile walk is close to home but surprisingly good.
The walk begins at Mortimer station, and does a loop around the north of Stratfield Mortimer, before heading south along a lane to the pretty Admiral's Copse. Lots of swallows (always an uplifting sight) on the first part of the walk. There is a nice view over north Hampshire farmland as you emerge from the copse.
You soon reach the meadows by the Foudry brook, today, like others in the area, covered with buttercups. The spire of St Mary's - a landmark for miles around - can be seen in the background.
From here you continue south and skirt around some fields with a crop of peas coming strongly through. I saw some lapwings here, taking off from the ground and landing again with their harsh pee-wit cries.
From here a lane and a field - with St Mary's now looming large - bring you to the Foudry brook again and then the church.
St Mary's (by R Armstrong) dates from 1871 and Pevsner describes it as "quite a stately church". There is a rather French tourelle tucked in between the tower and the chancel.
From St Mary's you follow the road back to the start.
From: Rambling for pleasure around Reading (first series) by David Bounds for the East Berkshire Ramblers
Map: Explorer 159 (Reading, Wokingham and Pangbourne)
Rating: three and a half stars. Green, handy, varied, nice views.
Flower of the day
Lots of Common Veitch, especially in the early part of the walk. Some close to the ground and more maroon in colour, this one taller having grown up through a bramble bush and with a more pinky hue.
Common Veitch
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