Walk 4 - Ashton Down and Whitefriars

A fairly long (5 miles) but rewarded by a convivial half-way House – and a chance to watch some sailing. Easy walking - and for once generally dry.

This walk starts - and ends, at the Plough Inn on Back Street From the Plough nun right up Back Street towards the High Road. At the junction cross over and to the left is a little path (Church Lane) along the front of some houses. At the end of the path, cross the footbridge in front of Mill House and follow the Thames Path out of the village towards Somerford Keynes. Cross the main road and follow the path keeping the river on the right and a lake on the left -you may see a kingfisher along this stretch. Continue until you meet the gravel road used by the lorries.

Turn right using the footbridge, climb a stile and continue along the lakeside path. Cross over the gravel road on the left and continue in the same direction using the gravel road along the side of the next lake all the way up to the Spine Road. If you look over to the right there is a small stand of trees (Furze Brake) with a number of Cormorant and Heron nests in the highest branches. Just before the Spine Road the track swings right but the path continues straight.

Look out for the thatched bus shelter ahead - this is where you should cross the Spine Road and walk up a drive into the "Cotswold Community". This is a residential centre for young people with social difficulties and is very much a community of its own - so please respect their privacy. Along the drive you will sec a finger post to "South Cerney". This can be taken to shorten the walk (see below). Walk on past this and just after the visitors' car park you will find another path also heading right - unfortunately signed only with one of the small "yellow on black" indicators. This directs you up a gravel track - and you'll see a sign to a Farm Trail.

Go over the stile and follow the track straight on - it gradually rises and then curves round to the left. This is Ashton Down and although it is only 68 feet higher than Ashton Keynes as the path levels up you will get a view over the gravel works and the surrounding villages. The gravel track ends in a field. Do not continue along the line of the hedge but immediately head diagonally right down the field, and you will soon see a stile to provide reassurance. Cross the stile with care - it opens onto the road. Cross and follow the path on the other side.

The path takes you past Ann Edward's School and as you walk along the road from the School it's worth keeping your eyes peeled - you will pass the end of a Pub garden with a small gate that opens out to the lane. You've found the Royal Oak where the bar sports a fascinating array of photographs and they have a Family Room for those who have managed to get the kids this far! Our route continues along the road - now skirling a housing estate and you should press on until the T-junction at the shop. Turn right and walk along the pavement for around 400 yards. Just as the housing ends, on the right you will see a bridle-path signpost to Ashton, which you take. •

The bridle-path goes over a small brook and you then take a gravel track to the left which takes you onto Whitefriars Lake. The Whitefriars Sailing club is based here and you will see dinghy racing on summer Sundays. You will follow the track right down the lake and sailors, or those just interested, can be sure of a welcome if they walk round to the clubhouse. Do not cross the bridge into the caravan park or take the next bridge but continue to the narrow and bendy end of the lake quite near to the clubhouse. The bridge on the left is set back and behind you - cross here and immediately bear right. You will once again cross the Spine Road but rather than going straight across you should go to the right and cross into the Visitors Car Park and Picnic Area.

Cross the Picnic area and head for the far right corner where you will pick up a path that goes through the trees and hedge to a large field. The path goes along the hedge line and conies to the Kent End lakes. Turn right at the lake and follow it round until you come to a finger post directing you back to Ashton Keynes along a path edged by a tall Leylandii hedge. Follow this path across the front of some houses and you will find Back Street. Turn right and up to the Plough - you've earned the refreshment you'll find there!