5th March 2008

Rural roam with literary links

The countryside around Eversley and the River Blackwater is known to have inspired the novelist Charles Kingsley, who wrote his well-known children’s novel The Water Babies whilst he lived there. In this National Year of Reading join the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership on a leisurely 5½-mile rural walk on Wednesday 19th March for a 10am start and discover the peaceful landscape around this area.

The walk starts just outside St Mary’s Church in Eversley where Charles Kingsley, who was rector for 31 years, is buried in the graveyard. It follows the Three Castles Path, part of a long distance route from Windsor to Winchester, before following the Welsh Drive, an historic route used by drovers from Wales on their way to the London cattle markets. It then follows public footpaths through Bramshill Forest, a haven for dragonflies, damselflies and many different birds, which is now managed as a working plantation, before continuing along the southern bank of the River Blackwater and along field edges, offering a variety of interesting vistas of watery habitats and the open countryside. 

Going at a leisurely pace the walk should last around three hours and will provide a wonderful opportunity to see some of the more rural fringes around the Blackwater Valley. Although the route is mostly flat, it may be muddy and uneven in places so suitable footwear is recommended, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. If you would like to come along, meet for a 10am start under the trees in the lane leading to St Mary’s Church, Eversley, which is opposite Eversley Antiques Barn. Both the church and barn are signed from  the A327. Church post code: RG27 0PX. Grid ref: SU 779 609.

This walk is the second organised by the BV Walkers Link, which was launched in February. The Walkers' Link aims to keep members informed about the walks and walking groups in the Blackwater Valley area whilst regularly providing advice and encouragement about walking. Membership costs £13pa and anyone interested in finding out more can write to Walkers’ Link, Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS. For more details about the walk on the 19th March or the BV Walkers’ Link ring 01252 331353, email blackwater.valley@hants.gov.uk or visit www.blackwater-valley.org.uk

More about the BV Walkers’ Link >>>

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For more information contact:
Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353.

Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS.