Donnington Castle, Bagnor, Winterbourne and Snelsmore Common

Explore a Tranquil Area of Rural Berkshire with a Turbulent Past

The market town of Newbury, which grew up around the confluences of the River Kennet and River Lambourn, presides over an area of peaceful well-wooded country. Just to the north, one of the most bitterly contested battles of the Civil War was fought — the Second Battle of Newbury on October 27, 1644. This circular walk begins beneath the ruined gatehouse of Donnington Castle, which famously held out against the Parliamentary army for an epic 20 months.

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Start Point

Donnington Castle

Grid Ref: SU 46036 69104

Total Distance

6.8 miles (11.0 km)

Total Climbing

165 metres

Estimated Time

3 hours

Difficulty Grade

Moderate

Trail Navigation Files:

💾 Download GPX Route Google Earth (KMZ) 📖 Visit Donnington Castle

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

Essential paper map for exploring Newbury and Hungerford:

158 Newbury and Hungerford →

The Walk Report

Passing under the castle's gun emplacements, the route descends toward the River Lambourn and the village of Bagnor (home to the renowned Watermill Theatre). Continuing through rolling Berkshire Downs and Winterbourne, the path crosses Snelsmore Common Country Park (managed by BBOWT) before returning to Donnington Castle.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.

Donnington Castle, Bagnor, Winterbourne and Snelsmore Common

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

The Walk Report

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