Leith Hill

The top of Leith Hill Tower is the highest point in the South East, although the hill itself falls short of the highest peak by 3 metres (this being held by Walbury Hill which I hope to walk very soon).  Leith Hill has been on our To-Do list for a long time and after such a long break from hill-walking, it seemed like a good time to inject a bit of excitement (as far as Southern hill-walking goes) into our walks.

2.5 miles seemed like a fair distance as everybody seems to have fallen very lazy lately and after all this is a 'hill'.  It's a National Trust Walk so very straight forward and it even includes a section of Ordinance Survey Map.

The paths are clearly visible with very few junctions, and with an easy map to follow, the route is simple enough.  Already, in the first minutes we are rewarded with the distant hills and a promise of beautiful views.

Blue Surrey Hills in the Distance

As we pass below Leith Hill Place, the view opens up.  If only the clouds would clear I could get some beautiful pictures.  However, I am already feeling very warm so for sanity's sake, I'm quite glad for the cloud.

Golden hills and blue skies - oh and a bit of imagination 

Looking back across the field towards Leith Hill Place

Once we pass into the woods, the climb starts.  For anyone used to 'real' hills this incline is pretty much downhill! But for my family it is hard work.

I am surprised how few people we pass on the way up, but as we reach the tower there seem to be a good number of picnickers and cyclists.  The boys and I ascend the tower and become the highest people in the South East - apart from those in the planes above us, who we see taking off from Gatwick to our East and Heathrow to the North.

Leith Hill Tower

 The route back down could also have been pretty amazing had the sun appeared.  Eventually it did grace us - on our drive home.

The route down to Windy Gap

I have truly been bitten again by the walking bug.  Just the right kind of walks and I'm sure my boys will feel the same. 

Wendy Booth - Portrait Artist

Sandhurst and Horseshoe Lake

I can't believe it is 3 years since I last posted! We have continued to walk as a family, but perhaps not as often as I'd like. However, it looks as though we will soon have our Sundays back, so I am looking forward to a lot more walking. I am always on the look out for walks, locally and within an hour's drive of home, so I was really excited to find FancyFreeWalks.org. Our first walk for a while was their Sandhurst to Horseshoe Lake and Blackwater

which is 4.5 miles. Our previous average would be 3 to 3.5 miles, but this always left us wanting for more.

We were familiar with several parts of this walk but this was the first time we'd amalgamated this route. In August the heather is in bloom and we were greeted with purple carpet and green ferns almost immediately. This part of Edgbarrow Woods is far more interesting and varied than some of the areas deeper into Swinley. If you're lucky you may see slow worms or even adders.

More woods, which are less inspiring but then the most exciting part for the boys, and most heart-stopping for me.  The railway crossing.  The track is straight and long in each direction.  There really is no danger as long as you are sensible, but any mother can't help but fret!



I'm afraid I didn't take many pictures (as I only thought of reigniting my blog afterwards) but below you can see the lovely pastures of Ambarrow Farm where we all commented how lucky we are to live so close to such beautiful countryside. You really wouldn't know that you're only a 10 minute drive from Wokingham or Bracknell.

And the view back across the meadow....

Soon after here we cross the lane to the lake and take a right turn to start the circuit of the Horseshoe Lake.  This is where we get the first complaints and tired boys (who really are big enough to have the energy!) realise we are taking the long route.  We pass close to the horseshoe shaped island (where the lake gets its name) in full bloom with so many colours of wild flower, before turning left to walk alongside the river.

I always love this part of Blackwater River.  The sun passes through the trees creating patterns of dappled light through the shallows that look almost magical.  We spot a rope swing and make a note to ourselves to return purely to play on this at a later date.

Unfortunately, the play area at the watersports centre no longer exists so we just refresh ourselves at the cafe and have a coffee while watching the paddle-boarders and kayakers.  

The route back always seems a lot quicker, but with this being a 'there and back' walk it wasn't quite as varied as a circular would have been and so boredom soon gave way to tiredness and complaints and I decided the family (of varying levels of fitness) would benefit from a few more shorter walks.