4th April 2011

On the Silchester Trail...

Get away from the traffic and the hustle and bustle of urban life and visit the site of the old Roman town of Silchester on this walk organised by the Blackwater Valley Walker’s Link on Thursday 14th April.

Starting at 10.30am from Beech Hill the route will take in some fine
views over rolling farmland, passes an interesting church in Stratfield Mortimer and follows Foundry Brook before reaching the old Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum, now known as Silchester.  It was first occupied by the Romans in about AD 45 and is remarkable because, unlike most large Roman towns in Britain, it was completely abandoned. Nevertheless the defensive walls still survive, in places more than four metres high, and many consider it to be the best-preserved Roman wall in Great Britain. There will be an opportunity for walkers to walk around the old town walls.

At this point the walk will have covered 6½ miles and will have taken about three hours and there is the opportunity to return to the start by car. For anyone who prefers a longer walk there is the option to return to the start on foot with a further 4 mile walk along the course of the Roman road known as Devil's Highway. However anyone wishing to walk back should bring along a packed lunch and something to drink.

Please be aware that the route may be muddy in places – especially through the farmyard – so please wear suitable footwear! It also includes a railway crossing as well as walking through a working farm past cattle sheds so sorry no dogs.  If you are interested in coming it’s important to phone 01252 331353 beforehand to register your interest, this will help with arrangements. 

Meet for a 10.30am start at Beech Hill. There is roadside parking on the lower side of the grass triangle near the Elm Tree pub, the triangle forms the junction of Trowe’s Lane, the Forehead and Beech Hill Road and has one-way access, grid ref: SU 694 640; postcode RG7 2AZ.

The Blackwater Valley Walkers’ Link, is a group which aims to keep members informed about  walks and walking groups in the Blackwater Valley area whilst regularly providing advice and encouragement about walking.  Membership costs £16 pa and anyone interested in finding out more can write to Walkers’ Link(LP2), Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS. For details about the walk of the BV Walkers’ Link ring 01252 331353, email blackwater.valley@hants.gov.uk or visit www.blackwater-valley.org.uk

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