Group walk: Froxfield paths. Thursday 20th March 2025

Thursday 20th March, 4.25 miles

Date: : Thursday 20th March

Time: 10.00 am – 12.30 pm

Location: The Pelican Inn, Froxfield. SN8 3JY

This walk was held on the first official day of spring and it was warm sunshine all the way! Our group of 15 walkers were slightly outnumbered by the much larger group of U3A walkers assembling for a longer walk from the same location!

The walk uphill on the bridleway at the beginning of this route is quite strenuous but after that the inclines get easier. However, a stile and about 20 steps need to be climbed to reach the pedestrian railway crossing on the embankment, and the same again down on the other side. There are handrails. The railway crossing needs to be negotiated with extreme caution as high speed trains can appear very quickly around the bend with little warning sound.

After a short walk through the edge of Hungerford common (livestock may be present) and back along the towpath, there is a wooden bridge to cross over the canal, also with steps and handrail. The bridge makes a suitable place for a restful halfway break on this walk.

After crossing the A4 (60mph speed limit here so cross with caution) it was field tracks and grass paths for the remainder of the walk taking a permissive path beside Cake Wood and another one at the back of the Duchess of Somerset Hospital, known locally as The College. However, it is neither a hospital nor a college in the modern sense but is sheltered housing for women, originally for widows of clergy.

We returned to The Pelican Inn at Froxfield for lunch so had been able to use their car park. There is a layby further along the A4 towards Hungerford for drivers not visiting the pub.

A moderate walk with two stiles, one fairly steep ascent & two flights of about 20 steps up and down over the railway and canal.   

Contact for details. Bedwynfootpathsgroup@gmail.com