Mortimer to Bramley, 2 Aug

CHANGE OF TRAIN – We will catch the 9.20 Exeter train from Waterloo because the recce showed that the change of trains at Basingstoke does not work for the train on the original walks programme. Buy a day return to Mortimer via Basingstoke. Best to sit in the last carriage to be near the underpass to Platforms 4 & 5 at Basingstoke.

We are due to arrive at Basingstoke at 10.06 and depart from Platform 5 at 10.23 on the Reading train, which should arrive at Mortimer at 10.35. The toilets are usually locked at Mortimer, so best to use those on the train or at Basingstoke.

The Walk: This is a picturesque 8 miles walk through a varied landscape of fields with attractive views and deciduous woods. There some short uphill and downhill sections but none are steep. There are no stiles. The morning and the afternoon are both about 4 miles long.

Historical highlights include the Roman town of Calleva with a visit to its amphitheatre (built about 50 AD) and a walk on the top and beside the town walls, built about 260 AD as part of a general move to protect the Roman Empire from mounting unrest.

Another highlight is the church of St Mary the Virgin, Silchester. The nave and chancel were built in the 12th century and there are many historical features including wall paintings from 1230.

Lunch: If you are a non-member planning to come on the walk and eat at the pub, then please phone or text our walks organiser Tony on 07484 297 500 by 11am on Friday 1 August, so that we can book a table for the correct number of people. (Members please contact Terry.) There is no need to contact Tony if you are taking your own food; you will be able to picnic nearby and then join the rest of the group at the pub if you wish.

Hazards: There is some walking along country roads without pavements, so it is essential to walk single file on those sections of the walk.

Dropouts: There are no easy opportunities for leaving the walk early. However, it should be possible to order a taxi or uber from the lunch pub (Calleva Arms, Silchester) to Bramley station (4 miles) or to Basingstoke station (8 miles).