A Boot Up the Berkshire Downs

The Berkshire Downs are a line of downland hills, part ofthe NorthWessex Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.They have attracted human habitation since prehistorictimes. Geologically they are continuous with theMarlborough Downs to the west and the Chilterns tothe east. They lie east-west, with their scarp slope facingnorth into theVale ofWhite Horse and their dip slopebounded by the course of the River Kennet. In the eastthey are divided from the Chilterns by the RiverThames.These walks cover more or less the length of theBerkshire Downs, from Ashdown House in the west tothe NationalTrust properties – Lardon Chase, LoughDown and the Holies – in the east.The Ridgeway, thespine of the Downs, is never far away. Some walks strayinto Oxfordshire but that is understandable; until 1974 anarea like Moulsford lay in Berkshire. Historical and literaryassociations are everywhere, from a battle fought by KingAlfred (then a prince), possible complicity by a Catholicgrandee in the Gunpowder Plot, two monuments tosoldiers one very grand, the ubiquitous John Betjeman, aonce-famous sheep fair, through to Wind in theWillows,Three Men in a Boat,Worzel Gummidge andThomasHardy’s last novel Jude the Obscure.The ten circular walks, ranging from 3 to 8 miles, suit theneeds of families, groups of friends or individuals lookingfor a gentle stroll or a longer walk, and reflect the manyvaried facets of the area – its people, its history, and itsworking landscape and will help first time visitors toexperience some of the great scenery the area has tooffer. Many of the walks feature a pub along the route.Halsgrove’s new-format guidebook, containing maps,photographs and useful information will ensure a greatwalking experience. Packed with colour, the book is anideal reminder of a visit to the area.