Walk 6 - Rushmere, Glidden Oak and Vineyard

Rushmere, Glidden Oak and the Vineyard Walk

Length: 3 miles

This is another walk starting from the People's Market, along Speltham Hill and right into the National Trust land. Follow the path straight ahead to the kissing gate beside the left-hand gate. Go left up the hill, passing the Jubilee seat. The next gate leads onto a path between two fences. When the path emerges into a field, turn sharp left through the hedge. Continue to the road, then turn left. After a short while turn right onto a footpath (Wayfarers Walk sign). The path follows the edge of fields, turning left, right and later left again. At the road turn right, then shortly left onto a signed footpath. At a junction of paths, turn left and head towards the right hand side of a copse. At the tarmac lane, turn right then left onto a stony track. Along this track look out for yellow-hammers, skylarks and meadow pipits. In September or October you may see wheatears with their white rumps. Roe deer are often to be seen emerging from the woods on your right.

At the end of the track there is an old oak tree known locally as the Glidden Oak (this area is called Glidden after the adjacent farm). After the tree keep straight ahead on the road, then take the left fork, which leads down to the main road. Go left here and cross the road into Vineyard Lane. Go up the hill past some houses, then left onto a footpath by the vineyard. After passing the School, turn left and follow the road downhill back to the start.