Enborne and Britain's Second Line of Defence

1 From the car park by the church, turn right and follow the road towards Newbury. Pass Church Lane and, as the road descends a gentle slope, the buildings of Newbury edge into view in the distance. Take the next signposted footpath on the left, at the entrance to Step Up Cottage, and as the drive sweeps left, continue straight on along the track beside Enborne Copse. Follow it across open fields and soon the Kennet and Avon Canal comes into view ahead. Once over the bridge, turn left by a pill box and go down to the tow path.

2 Head west, passing Benham Lock. Pass a tributary stream running into some woods. The railway line, transporting speeding inter-city trains as well as local services, is seen on the right along this stretch. A little further on, at Benham Broad, the natural river and the canal unite. Cross the weir by the footbridge and continue on the tow path, passing a cottage on the opposite bank. A line of poplar trees and the buildings of Marsh Benham edge nearer. Join the road at the next bridge, turn left, cross the Kennet and pass Hamstead Mill, formerly a model mill belonging to the Craven estate.

3 Avoid a drive on the left, just beyond the mill, and continue on the road, following it alongside a brick wall. When the road curves right, continue ahead on a footpath leading to Hamstead church. Originally Norman, St Mary's occupies a delightful corner of Hamstead Park, its brick tower looking out across the Kennet Valley. In the corner of the churchyard is a mausoleum containing the Craven family vault. Keep the church on the right, make for a gate ahead and turn left, following the grassy track as it bends left and descends between trees to a drive and waymark.

4 Turn right, following it through a stately landscape dotted with oak and beech trees. This is Hamstead Park. Pass over a cattle grid and keep to the drive as it sweeps to the right, with the parkland estate extending to distant horizons. Follow the drive as it curves left, pass a turning on the left and as the drive sweeps right towards a gate and bungalow, go straight on along a path to an avenue of beech and horse chestnut trees. On the right is the former home of the Craven family, which later became a nursing home. Turn left and walk along the drive, following it as it curves left. Make for a gate and a cattle grid, cross a stile and exit to the road. Opposite is the car park where the walk began.