Several weeks ago Daphne sent me a link to tell me about the Mill House Hotel, Aldermaston, opening it's gardens for teas and lunches, for just 5 weekends from April to early May (inc Fridays). It's normally a wedding venue and of course with no weddings taking place atm, they are trying to diversify now that we are permitted to sit down "outside" in a group of up to 6, at a cafe or restaurant. So, today was the day we had booked our table, Daphne making a special guest appearance with the WLCG.😊 Fortunately the weather was ideal.
I suggested starting at Silchester which would mean riding some new areas rather than cycle straight to Aldermaston. John had recently ridden some of the area so I cobbled together a route to suit us, to arrive at the Hotel around noon. (the earliest possible), doing all but 8 miles of the route pre-lunch. We did miss out a section as it turned out, since the ride took a little longer than I had expected, but no one complained, since we missed out the steepest hill.😂
Route
Leaving Silchester Church car park, we rode around Wall Lane, passing the main car park (where my van does not fit under the height barrier), and ignoring both the Bramley and Little London roads, which I often ride, continued straight to Pamber Heath. Not the pretties part of the route, but we soon turned into Church Lane, Tadley then very pretty quiet lanes.
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| Church Road Tadley |
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| at St Peters Church, Church Road, Tadley |
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| still on Church Lane |
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| The other end of Church Lane, approaching Baughurst Road |
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| Plastow Green.... I think! |
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| opposite the house above, at Plastow Green |
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| Ashford Hill Road |
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| ladies ahead on the rise as I photograph the deer on Ashford Hill Road |
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| we turn off Galley Lane into Common Road, |
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| house on our left as we turn off Galley Lane, Plastow Green |
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| Thornford Road, a nice fast downhill to the ford |
This road becomes traffic free as we cut through to cross the ford, using the pedestrian bridge.
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| photobomb by the guy in blue! He was coming the other way |
After a chat with the photobomber, we climbed this steep section away from the ford, then a left and immediate right turn to climb another steep section up to Greenham Common.
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| Greenham Common |
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| Group gathering after we had spread out on the steep climb up to Greenham Common |
Now a very easy flat, and fast downhill section, through Crookham Common, and at Brimpton, we swing left continuing downhill towards the canal near the A4, where we need to make an important decision.
My route, and to avoid arriving too early at our lunch stop, was to cross the A4 and climb up to Midgham and Chapel Row, then drop down from Beeham to Aldermaston, to cross the A4 once more then join the canal path to our destination nr Aldermaston Wharf. But it was 11.55 and we decided to just nip onto the K&A Canal Path, and skip the climb to Chapel Row. (about a 5 mile loop). Next time ladies!!
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Shortly before we get on the K&A canal path, a church in the distance
probably at Midgham |
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| Now down to the canal path |
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| We crossed back and forth on a number of bridges |
We finally came off at Frouds Lane, where our lunch stop was just a minutes ride away.
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Daphne arriving at the Mill House
Interesting reading : With its original oak beams, sluices and water wheel The Old Mill is a tranquil riverside setting in 22 acres of countryside, making it one of the most picturesque venues in Royal Berkshire. Standing over the River Kennet the site dates back to the Domesday survey of 1086. The Mill was valued at 20 shillings, the two fisheries 5 shillings each and was held by William the Conqueror. Today the Grade II listed buildings continue to exude their old English character. |
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| Back of Mill House |
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| Mill House |
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| Mill House |
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| Just as well we booked! Not exactly busy |
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| I watched this couple being followed by cows along the fenceline next to the Mill House |
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| Jeanette, Lynne, Martina, Daphne, Me, Gill |
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| Daphne making friends as we leave |
After lunch, we rejoin the canal path, heading this time towards Aldermaston Wharf. We bump into the couple who had been followed by the cattle, and they said it was a bit uncomfortable to say the least! Good path on this section, and we leave it at Ufton Green. Pretty lanes once more, and Daphne and I can't resist stopping to see a few more cows.
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| Church Lane Ufton Green |
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| Hello! Nice cow!! |
Now to Ufton Nervet, and we begin to recognise to Camp Road, then drop down St. Catherines Hill into Mortimer West End ...... (and up the hill too).
A left turn into yet another Church Lane, as passing the Red Lion Pub, that steep drop down passing over West End brook, with an equally steep climb up to Silchester.
Gill suggested returning on the last section through the bridle path at Silchester, so we entered via the main car park, and following the gravel tracks, emerged just near our parking spot at the Church car park.
Its now 2.30, and Martina and Lynne need to do school pick ups at 3.15. Eeek. So a quick dash home and we almost made it, but hit traffic as we approached Sindlesham. I dropped them off near the school at 3.20, and delivered their bikes home on my way home.
A lovely route and one I am sure we will repeat or a variation of it another time. Lunch took too long which is why we were a bit rushed at the end, but if just having tea and cake as somewhere, would have been home in plenty time for school.
Thanks for joining me ladies. Jeanette and Gill and lucky to be off again the next week or two on travels to Devon and Cornwall. Have a great time, and see you all soon.
