29th August 2007

Rural roam round Swallowfield

Get away from the traffic and the hustle and bustle of urban life and discover one of the most rural parts of the Blackwater Valley on a circular walk organised by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership on Wednesday 12th September.

Starting from Swallowfield Parish Hall car park, the walk will give you a chance to discover some of the more rural footpaths and country lanes to be found in the area, with an opportunity to enjoy the peaceful countryside landscapes and attendant wildlife. The route will take in many shady byways, including the Blackwater Valley Path, which follows the river for a short while before emerging at Thatcher’s Ford. This is where The Devil’s Highway, an old Roman Road from Staines to Silchester, crosses the river and marks the boundary between Berkshire and Hampshire.

Don’t forget to bring along your binoculars because there’s a good chance you’ll see some Red Kite, a very graceful bird of prey with a reddish-brown body, angled wings and deeply forked tail. By the late 1700s Red Kite were virtually hunted to extinction, but following a reintroduction programme in the 1980s numbers are gradually increasing.

The walk will cover about six miles, so meet for a 10am start at Swallowfield Parish Hall car park, Church Road, Swallowfield SU 726649, it should last about 2½-3 hours. Wet weather clothing and sunscreen plus suitable footwear are recommended. The going will be relatively flat, but please be prepared to cross numerous stiles. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.  For more details ring 01252 331353.

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For further information contact: Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353. Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS.