Enborne to Hungerford - 29 miles

We drove on the M4 this morning to Newbury in rain, and returned in rain, but for the 3 hours in between it was beautiful! The forecast got it spot on.  It was a cool 8 degrees when we set off, but with the sun out it was ideal for cycling. Heavy rain yesterday meant messy lanes today with leaves and twigs, and a few puddles spreading across the entire width of some country lanes, but thankfully nothing deep.

This route which John put together, is a combination of parts we had done before, with a few new lanes too. Very picturesque with the autumnal colours, which meant lots of photo stops. Sunday means ebike today, saving our legs for tomorrow's rides in the Chilterns.

Route

We parked at "The Chase" free car park near Wash Water and set off in the direction of East Woodhay. We were immediately into pretty tree canopied lanes.  

Nice views beyond

Between East and West Woodhay, we spotted a field or Rape Crop. Unusual for this time of year, although not the first we have seen this autumn. Is this a new thing?

West Woodhay church

a different view from the church garden

Now into Inkpen to the Honesty tea shop. It's only 7 miles from the start, but about the right time for morning tea. The clocks came forward an hour at 02am, just to confuse things.

Forgotten what they called this, but delicious. Brioche with jam and buttercream filling
(one each btw! not both mine)

The next arrivals took our table in the sunshine at Honesty Inkpen

Leaving Inkpen.. sploosh

We went straight over towards Ham and Shalbourne at the crossroad

St Michael's Church at Lower Green nr Inkpen

Mooo

Nr Ham on Spray Road

passing through the junction at Little Bedwyn

The Kennet and Avon Canal Little Bedwyn

We didn't cross the canal bridge... just stopped for a quick look

Next we almost doubled back on a bend and soon came to a straight road which was lined with trees and fencing and went on for what seemed like miles, called North Standen Road. Beautiful.

North Standen Road

The road continued, dropping us into Hungerford, but only briefly, doing almost a dog leg across the main road, then over the cattle grid into Hungerford Park. Then we turned right out of the park over another cattle grid, towards Cold Harbour.

Soon, a left along Inglewood Road, passing a Stud Farm and I recognised the gates from a recent ride where we previously rode recently and spotted the unusual metal arch over the road.

Inglewood Road, near the Stud Farm

Inglewood Road, same cows

We shortly pass through Kintbury, staying high, but still a climb out of the town on Irish Hill Road. I stopped at the top for the view looking back...

leaving Kintbury behind

Almost finished, passing through Hamstead Marshall on our way back to Enborne. A lovely route, just lacking a tea stop a bit further in to the ride, but we knew that.   We got back in the van, and literally a minute later the rain started.