Date: Wednesday 19th February 2025.  Distance: 6 miles. Leader: Angela Vasylenko

 

7 ladies enjoyed a very pleasant walk this morning, with hazy sunshine to start with and a chilly but light breeze (no rain).  It was mainly flat, just a couple of gentle inclines. We started from Maidenhead Thicket free car park then crossed the road to walk a section of Pinkneys Green to the large NT car park.  Through the woods behind to use the path leading to the churchyard of James the Less, the Stubbings church. Here we were able to see various displays of snowdrops.  Back across the road, past the Stubbings garden centre and on to Burchetts Green.  Entering the estate of the Berkshire College of Agriculture we reached the statue of Diana the Huntress (erected by original owner of Hall Place, Jacob Bancks, in the 1690s).  We continued up to High Wood for our banana break, enjoying the views over the valley including Hurley Village and Dansfield House.   The 2nd half of our walk took us across open fields and meadows, some wooded areas, then the minor road into Burchetts Green again.  Once past Stubbings garden centre we walked through the Maidenhead Thicket woods, past the Robin Hood Arbour, then finally onto the footbridge over the dual carriageway to our cars.