Walk1 - The Eastern Sector

•With, its mixture of old and new Housing, this short –walk (l mile) introduces some of the footpaths on the eastern side of the village.

Start at the Plough Inn and turn left along Back Street. Carry on along Back Street, passing a number of attractive houses, most notably Pilgrim Cottage, Comer Cottage and Wall Collage. Follow the road round to the right, taking care as it is difficult to see traffic coming. Just after you cross the brook, turn left into the road that leads to Kentend Farm. Take a right through the gate (signpost Waterhay) into the first field and carry on along the east bank of the brook. This part of the walk is often better in Wellingtons, so if you are in your Sunday Best, follow the main Kent End road down and rejoin the walk at Ashfield. Thus far we have been following the official Thames Path, but now we leave it.

After negotiating the next gate, turn right over the ditch (which is a Thames back stream) and into a broad straight path with allotments on either side. This brings you out into Kent End opposite Ashfield. Cross the road and turn a sharp right along the footpath towards the old Harris Road council houses Take the first path on (lie left and follow it as it veers left round the back of the new houses and past an open space reserved for future development (or not) and across a bridge over a Thames backstream. The path is not very even here, but runs through an attractive little grove and comes out in Four Acre Close.

Turn right to the end of the Close; by Number 12 the path forks right taking you into a glade and another right fork takes you straight to the Letts. Crossing the road, you find a small shrub-planted area (a Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme sponsored by the Parish Council). Through the gate (being careful to shut it) you enter a small toddlers' recreation area: the gate at the top also needs to be checked shut. You come out into Eastfield, where across the road is a through-way into Fore Street This is very attractive with its willow and silver birches and on either side is a varied terrace of small dwellings.

In Fore Street turn left and follow the path until the road swings left. Do not follow the road, but turn right and carry on along the unmetalled private path past the Cove House Gardens bungalows. At the far end is a ramp which takes you back up into Richmond Court. Take the right hand path along the road down into Back Street; the Plough is on the left.