THE WALK
Distance: 6.75 miles
Grid reference at start: SU476741
Time: 2-3 hours
Going: Easy
Parking: On the road sensibly in Chieveley and in the car park at the Ridgeway at Bury Down.
BBC BERKSHIRE WALKING AND SAFETY |  |
This walk begins in Chieveley. You need to park up along the High Street in the centre of Chieveley. Then head North away from the High Street and turn left up Manor Lane. Turn right, following the footpath signs. Continue on the path, with houses ahead of you to the right. Take the left turn signposted byway.  | | Quiet country lanes like this one are all you'll cross on this walk, it's mainly on footpaths. |
Turn right onto the footpath, crossing the wooden stile into the farmer's field. The path was overgrown with crops when we crossed it and is quite tricky to follow. You need to head diagonally left across the field. You'll reach a stile, go over this and follow the path along the fenceline on the right. When you reach the road turn left. Almost immediately afterwards, turn right down the road signposted to Beedon Common. Follow the footpath as it deviates left by a metal gate. Stay on this path, crossing Hayley Lane and passing some concrete bollards. Take the right turn off the footpath signposted Byway.  | | The bluebells were certainly out when we walked this in May. |
Keep on the main track. Follow the Byway sign on the left, taking you off the chalk track. The track will take you through the woods. Continue straight on as the path crosses another track. Follow the path with the fenceline on your right. Where several paths cross, continue straight ahead.  | | The oil seed rape fields are a stunning sight. |
Then you'll meet another crossroads on the track, turn left down the public bridleway. Follow the bridleway round to the right. Where the bridleway meets the public footpath, go right staying on the bridleway. The path swings right past Hodcott House, crossing over a cattlegrid. Turn left onto the road, and the road bears right into West Ilsley. Turn right onto the road and almost immediately left onto the cart track. Past cottages on the left and as the track forks, keep to the track on the left. Take the bridleway on the right, through the wooden gate.  | | If you see Didcot Power Station straight ahead, you're in the right place! |
Continue following the path along the fenceline on the left, going through another wooden gate. Continue following this path through another wooden gate. As you approach The Ridgeway you'll see Didcot Power Station straight ahead. Look out for the car park to the left where you should have left your second car. You've completed Part Six of the Berkshire Way Well Done! Berkshire Way Part Seven | 
