Ancient Commons, Roman Town & Amphitheatre – Country Hike

Walk length 13miles/21km approx. Circular.

A chance to explore the countryside south of Aldermaston and the River Kennet using a number of woods, fields, commons and local nature reserves. The commons of Padworth and Mortmer contain heathland, woodland and wildlife.

The half way point of the hike is close to the remains of Calleva Atrebatum, the site of a once significant Roman and previous Iron Age settlement. The site contains the remains of city walls and an amphitheatre that are free to view and managed by English Heritage.

Lunch and Finish

Please bring a snack lunch (this will probably be on a common close to a pub) and water for the hike which should finish about 5.00pm and includes a 30 min snack lunch stop and pub at the end (pub is close to the station), however the time may be earlier or later than this depending on the weather and pace.

PLEASE BE AWARE BEFORE YOU RSVP THAT THIS HIKE IS UNDULATING AND REASONABLY SUBSTANTIAL.

Meeting: We are meeting at Aldermaston station for the walk to start at 11.00am (after the train from London arrives).

By car: The car park at Aldermarston Station is charges on £1.60 on Sundays. Other free roadside parking close to the station may be available, please check for parking restrictions and allow enough time to park.

By train: The train from London Paddington at 10.13am gets to Aldermaston for 10.54am (one change at Reading). There are trains fairly late back to London. See National Rail Enquiries (www.nationalrail.co.uk).

I would encourage you to seek other members who can take advantage of a group save on the train and meet from 9.40am outside the WHSmith at Paddington to give you time to get tickets/group save tickets (see photo below). The organizer will not be taking the train but will meet you at Aldermaston for the start of the hike.

Walk Cost: £7 cash on the day organizer fee (For paypal it is 'colin45@hotmail.co.uk' Please send as friends and family to avoid charges. For bank transfer message organizer.

Train from London approx £18 with a group save or network railcard discount.

Please make a note of the organizers number - Colin 07709305681.

Walking Safety

Walking is a great way to keep fit and generally very safe; however it does contain an element of risk. Before going on any of these walks you need to be reasonably fit and be prepared to be responsible for your own safety. You should wear appropriate clothing such as proper walking shoes, warm and wet weather clothing and carry sufficient food and water. Please see our Terms and Conditions (https://www.meetup.com/London-Explorers/pages/3170152/Terms_and_Conditions/)

COULD EVERYONE PLEASE AVOID COMMENTS BELOW THAT ARE NOT SPECIFIC TO THE EVENT AS THIS GENERATES SPAM, JUST CHANGE YOUR RSVP IF YOU CAN'T GO. YOU CAN MESSAGE ME. MANY THANKS.