Canal, Hatchet Lane, Shawgrove Copse. 2.5 miles
Date: : Sunday 22nd December
Time: 10.00 am – 11.15 pm
Location: The Chains, Great Bedwyn (the island opposite The Londis, High St, Great Bedwyn SN8 3NU)
Our planned short group walk this month had to be made even shorter after the recce met with flooded paths. The group were unable to take the route shown on the map below because the top section of Hatchet Lane was extremely slippery with deep muddy ruts on the slope, not easy to avoid or navigate. A second attempt to recce an amended route also experienced extremely slippery wet conditions on other sections and so eventually, and with storm force winds forecast, we instead took a short 2 mile route past the allotments and up across tracks to the top of Forest Hill where we crossed to Chisbury Wood. We kept to the main paths through the wood to emerge by the aerial overlooking the village from where we returned down to Castle Road and on to the church.
St Mary’s church in Bedwyn had kindly given us use of the transept at short notice to shelter from the weather and serve our refreshments. A few other members joined the 13 walkers there to enjoy mince pies and warm mulled wine.
As it turned out, although the weather was quite blustery, we got a rare glimpse of sunshine on our walk and fortunately the storm didn’t blow in until the walk had ended.
No stiles on the route as shown here but expect mud in wet conditions!
No stiles, expect some mud.