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National Grade: Moderate Distance:11.3mi / 18.2km  Leader:  Caroline W  Date: Sunday, Aug 16 2026

Thankfully the heatwave had broken and it was quite cool when we assembled at the National Trust car park in Pinkneys Green for another Sunday walk I was able to lead in between my holiday leading commitments.

Barry from Bexley who had been on Barbara’s walk the previous Sunday once again decided to travel around the M25 and join our group to explore a bit more of this part of the country. The walk being close to home for Lesley saw her re-appear once again, already discussing the ice cream options at Hurley before we had even set off! Rob, free from his badminton commitments in August was also out for a second Sunday running.

Having welcomed everyone and done the introductions, we set off towards Stubbings and then through Burchetts Green before reaching the edge of the agricultural college. After a quick drink stop we headed up to Ashley Hill where the bracken was all shrivelled up having clearly suffered from the lack of rain this summer.

Morning break was a quick stop enjoying the views out across the paddocks where several polo ponies were grazing. Barbara showed no fear in approaching them and getting up close. A little further on we turned off onto the bridleway making our way down towards the Henley Road, which we safely managed to cross before getting caught up in the brambles just before the river. The blackberries were being picked by a couple who were keen to get as many as they could to take home for the jams and cakes they were already planning.

Down at the Thames there was a slight repetition of Barbara’s walk from the previous Sunday as we headed towards Hurley. The riverbanks  were crowded as it was Regatta weekend and scores of canoeists were lined up to race all the way down to Mill End.

We watched a couple of groups set off but then resumed our walk till just beyond where the Bryan Ferry ran from before heading inland and back down towards the centre of Hurley where we broke for lunch. Lesley settled on a Solero from the village shop which revived her with a sugar burst before the one real hill of the day after lunch.

Waiting for everyone to gather, Rob drew our attention to the church noticeboard commenting what a posh area we were in was as we had missed the ‘ Hymns and Pimms’ of last Sunday!

On our way out of Hurley we paused briefly to show Barry the one blue plaque in the village for the WWII listening station. And then after a successful ascent of Prospect Hill, we meandered through the grounds of Berkshire Agricultural College, past the zoo and main building. All was quiet with only a few horses out in the fields and no sign of the donkeys that were often out grazing.

As a small group and going at a good pace, we managed to reach Stubbings by 2.30 so Lesley, Martin and Nick decided to stop off at the garden centre for a cup of tea while the rest of us headed back to the cars and Barry could get on the road before the traffic built up.

Report by Caroline W