Roman Ramble & Woodland Walk

Location

Hampshire/Berkshire border

OutdoorLads shares the exact meeting point with people who have signed up, closer to the date. See the OutdoorLads listing for details.

About this event

Join OutdoorLads for a lovely late-summer circular hike in the Hampshire/Berkshire borders exploring the remarkably well-preserved ruins of the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum, followed by a walk through the beautiful woodland of Benyon's Inclosure and Hundred Acre Piece, part of the Englefield Estate.The sightsCalleva AtrebatumPrior to the Roman conquest in 43 AD, Calleva Atrebatum was the Iron Age capital of the Atrebates tribe. After 50 AD, the Romans turned this settlement into a major town which served as a regional administrative centre. The town was laid out in a traditional grid pattern with a forum at its heart, and with roads radiating out to other towns such as Londinium (London) & Venta Belgarum (Winchester). At its peak in the 3rd & 4th centuries, the town had a population of nearly 10,000 and covered around 100 acres. The massive walls were built initially as earth embankments around 200, then in masonry around 270 to protect against Saxon raids in the south of England. Following the Roman withdrawal in 410, Calleva was abandoned after 450, and became one of a small minority of major Roman towns not to develop into a modern settlement.Due to its abandonment, the remains of the town and the walls were undisturbed until excavations began in 1866, and continue to this day, under the auspices of Reading University. Calleva is now owned by Hampshire County Council & managed by English Heritage, and open to the public.The Englefield EstateThis 14,000 acre rural estate in West Berkshire & North Hampshire has belonged to the Benyon family for hundreds of years. At its heart is Englefield House near Theale, but we'll be walking through the beautiful woodland of the Hampshire section, comprising Benyon's Inclosure & Hundred Acre Piece. The estate welcomes responsible walkers, and there is an extensive network of permissive paths to use in addition to public footpaths.The routeFrom Mortimer station, we'll head south-west for about an hour to cross into Hampshire and reach Calleva Atrebatum. We'll pause to visit the amphitheatre & Silchester church before walking on top of the Roman walls to the south gate, where we will descend and continue outside the walls to the west gate. From here, we'll walk to Silchester village where we will stop for lunch on the green, and those that wish can have a quick drink in the Calleva Arms PH. After lunch, we'll head north to reach and pass through Benyon's Inclosure and Hundred Acre Piece. Returning to Berkshire, the final stretch skirts around the northern edge of Mortimer village to return to the station.For a link to the OS route, see the Location section.DogsDogs are welcome on this walk, but they must be on a lead in proximity to livestock (there is one field with cows in on the route), and adjacent to traffic.Is this your first ODL event?Attending your first event with OutdoorLads might feel daunting. What will happen, who will be there, and what can you expect? We know that new members in particular like to know in advance more about what an OutdoorLads event will be like. If this is your first ODL event, you should check out the information designed specifically for you on the My First Event page on the ODL website. If you have any other questions you can send a message to the leader.Photos: St Mary's Church, Silchester & Roman wall (main) / South wall, Calleva / Mortimer station (meeting point) / Mortimer station parking tariff / St Mary's Church Mortimer / Amphitheatre, Calleva / Information board, Calleva / South gate, Calleva / Calleva Arms PH, Silchester / Entrance to Benyon's Inclosure, Silchester / Kiln Pond, Silchester / Fox Hill, Silchester / Chaplin's Copse, Mortimer.All photos taken by leader 19th August 2026 and permission given to OutdoorLads for use.