Roman Silchester
A lovely walk in fresh winter sunshine with the added risk of being drowned thanks to the local flooding Our leader coped with it all with her usual aplomb and a good time was had by all
By train, out on 9.17 from Paddington to Mortimer, with a change at Reading, arriving at 10.10; and back from Mortimer with trains every half hour.If you travel by train try to meet up with Sue Shaw and the other walkers on the train between Paddington and Reading so Sue can guide you to the connecting train at Reading.
If you decide to drive take the M4 to Junction 11. Then use Sat nav. for Mortimer Station, or contact Margaret M if more instructions needed
By Car. Station car park £2.30 / day
am: about 4 1/2 miles: along the Foundry Brook and parallel with the railway line, then crossing fields to the Roman town, including the amphitheatre and the circuit of the northern part of the surviving walls. Lunch is in the village of Silchester beyond.
pm: about the same distance the circuit of the southern walls, Silchester Church (Simon Jenkins’ book gives it a * ) then across fields and lanes back to Mortimer Station. Almost flat, some mud and 1 stile. Likely to be wet underfoot.
Lunch - The Calleva Arms in Silchester. Booked. Let Sue Shaw know if you plan to come so that She can confirm numbers, but if you're not sure just turn up