Thatcham and the River Enborne

The Kennet at Thatcham

This walk begins at Thatcham station. You quickly cross the Kennet and Avon Canal and then the river Kennet. You walk along a lane to Crookham Manor and from here head south to reach Crookham Common Road.

After a short distance along the road, you head south again with fine views to the right towards the North Hampshire Downs.



On the right, a bit further on, was a lovely mixed clump of bluebells and white celandine.


Soon you reach open country and follow the winding bank of the River Enborne. I was too busy taking pictures of the extraordinary array of wild flowers along here to take a proper picture of the valley itself. But this fine tree in a red field will have to suffice.



Towards the end of this stretch we passed the weir at Chamberhouse Mill.



Soon after this, at a ford, you leave the river bank and head north again over Crookham Common, cross Crookham Common Road again and begin the descent back to Thatcham.

From: Walks in the Kennet Valley and beyond (West Berks Ramblers).

Map: Explorer 158 (Newbury and Hungerford).

Conditions: warm, dry, cloudy, hints of rain.

Distance: 5 miles.

Rating: three stars.


Sightings

I spotted this female Orange Tip clinging desperately to a leaf in the wind.


Flower of the day

This white celandine was one of the signature plants of the walk.