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Hungerford Walks - Near and Around

5.2 miles (8.4 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This market town in Berkshire is a fine place for walkers with easy river and canalside walking to enjoy. It's also close to the North Wessex Downs, an Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty with numerous options for walkers.
This circular walk from the town explores Hungerford Common before picking up a pleasant section of the Kennet and Avon Canal Walk.
The walk starts from the car park on Hungerford Common and picks up footpaths heading south east across the common to Templeton Stud. The expansive common is a great place for walks in the town with miles of footpaths to explore.
You continue north east along a country lane towards Kintbury where you can link up with the canal. Follow the towpath west and it will take you back towards Hungerford with views of the River Kennet which runs alongside the canal. There's also lots of boats and pretty locks to see in this picturesque area.

Postcode

RG17 0DY - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Hungerford OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Hungerford Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Hungerford

Pubs/Cafes

The John O Gaunt is a great place to enjoy some post exercise rest and refreshment. The historic inn dates back to the 16th century and has been awarded West Berkshire Pub of the year. Inside there's a charming old interior with many original features. Outside there's an award winning garden with heated tiki tents if it's a bit chilly. They have a fine menu and can be found at 21 Bridge Street, with postcode RG17 0EG for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

The common is ideal for dog walking so you'll probably see other owners on a fine day. The John O Gaunt pub mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The little village of Chilton Foliat lies less than two miles to the north west of the town. It's a lovely place for a stroll with several pretty thatched cottages, wildlife rich marshland and nice views of the River Kennet which runs through the settlement. Near here you can also visit Littlecote House, another of the area's highlights. The house dates from the mid 16th century and is surrounded by beautiful parkland and gardens. There's also a wonderful ancient Roman mosaic and the opportunity to enjoy afternoon tea at the historic house which is now run as an hotel.

Photos

Hungerford High Street - geograph.org.uk - 836357

Hungerford High Street. Looking south from the bridge carrying the A338 over the Kennet and Avon Canal. The next bridge is the railway line, with the town hall clock tower behind. The alley to the right leads down to the canal towpath.

Hungerford Common - geograph.org.uk - 6292

Hungerford Common. This view is of the section of common along the road taken from north of the parking and looking more or less east along the line of the trees along the road. It is situated in the southern half of the grid square towards the edge.

Hungerford Common - geograph.org.uk - 6294

Hungerford Common. This is a view of the wide lane that runs south east across the grid square and is situated in the north east section of the grid square. The picture was taken somewhat south east of the parking, looking southeast.

Cattle on Hungerford Common - geograph.org.uk - 164221

Cattle on Hungerford Common

Dun Mill Lock - geograph.org.uk - 1340214

Dun Mill Lock Lock 75, with a fall of 5 feet 8 inches. This lock is regularly used by the canal trip boat Rose of Hungerford.

River and canal - geograph.org.uk - 1340247

River and canal. On the left is the River Kennet. On the right, a few feet higher, is the Kennet and Avon Canal. The canal follows the Dun valley from Crofton to near here where the River Dun joins the River Kennet. At times the River Kennet is higher than the canal (not here) and various weirs allow the canal to be fed by the river and to get rid of any excess. Here the towpath runs between the two.

"Rose of Hungerford" at Hungerford Wharf - geograph.org.uk - 746105

"Rose of Hungerford" at the Wharf. Rose is a trip boat operated by volunteers of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust. Here she is waiting for Sunday afternoon passengers. Public trips on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays, and you may even meet yours truly as I am one of the volunteer captains. The bridge behind is Hungerford town bridge, carrying the A338. The houses to the right are contemporary with the canal, first built in about 1796.

Hungerford wharf - geograph.org.uk - 836347

Hungerford wharf. The town bridge carrying the A338 is to the left, leading into High Street stretching up to the railway bridge and the town hall with the clock in the distance. These cottages are contemporary with the age of the canal, 1796. Today it is a popular place for feeding the ducks, and the ducks know that.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Hungerford.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)