Yateley Common Gr828591

YATELEY COMMON GR828591

(Ex 145)

Park in the large lay-by just east of the Ely pub on the A30; there's usually a hot-dog stand in the lay-by but there's never any difficulty in parking.

Gravel Pit Pond

A two ponds walk

1. Go to the eastern end of the lay-by where there is a path, which starts at the MOD notice board warning: "This is a MoD training area; do not touch suspicious objects". The area is, in fact, entirely safe and ideal for dog walkers. Walk ahead, going south, and take the 2nd track on the left; keep to the main track as it bears right.

2. Come to a concrete driveway and turn left; you are now approaching the A30, but just before the gate turn right and go along the line of overhead cables. Where the path bears round to the right, just keep straight ahead for about 100m, when you will see a small track on the left which takes you through to the A30. Cross this busy road opposite the sign for Yateley Common, and enter a car park.

3. In the left-hand corner of the car park is an insignificant track which leads down to Gravel Pit Pond. Turn left to skate round the pond in a clockwise direction. The track arrives at a large grassy area. Ignore the 1st footpath on the left and take the 2nd. If there's a bit of larch lap fencing on the right, then you're on the correct footpath; otherwise go back. At the crossing track, turn leftwith ferns to your left and silver birch to the right. At a main track, cross straight over and get through to another main track, where you turn left.

4. Go past "The Hollies" and, at a fork, bear right on the waymarked BW. Stay on the main path, and bear left at a fork. You now drop slowly down to thepond. Circumvent the pond in an anti-clockwise direction, rest for a while on the seat donated by GE Oilfield Technology – I'm not aware of any drilling! At the muddy BW turn hard left and continue round the pond; at the wire fence bear right back onto the BW, then turn left to a junction of paths, where you can continue alongside the muddy BW on a narrow footpath which runs in the same direction but, soon, you must re-join the BW and continue ahead,avoiding the mud as best you can.

5. Another track comes in from the left, and later, where the track divides, take the left-hand branch which runs close-by the A30 going west. At the crossing track turn left, on the narrow short stretch of muddy BW, back to the lay-by.

YATELEY COMMON GR828591 (Ex 145)

Park in the large lay-by just east of the Ely pub/restaurant on the A30; there's usually a hot-dog stand at the western end of the lay-by but the walk starts at the other end which is where you will find it easy to park and there's never any difficulty in parking. Dog walkers often park here and it seems to be quite safe.

Yateley Common

Wyndhams Pool walk

1. Cross the busy A30 at a point directly opposite the MOD notice board, at the eastern end of the lay-by. Join the muddy BW for a few metres then, at the crossing track, turn right. Take the next turning left along the line of overhead cables. In about 10m turn right on an unmarked track. Come to a field and turn left. About 5m before a junction with some wooden pylons, turn right on a minor unmarked track. The narrow track runs parallel to the overhead cables.

2. At a T-junction, turn right and then immediately left on the woodland path. On reaching the cemetery fence turn left, then right at the main track and immediately hard left past the notice board. Walk ahead with gorse to the left and an open space to the right. Go over a crossing track onto a woodland path which leads down to Wyndhams Pool. The area which overlooks the pond is ideal for summer picnics and, if you wish, you can start and end the walk here.

3. Go anti-clockwise round the pond and where there are steps, leading to a seat, bear right on the path below and then turn right on the main track. After a few metres, bear right again to reach the road.

4. Cross the road and join the bridleway which leads to a crossing track, and here you turn left past the houses and then you go directly ahead into the woodland. After 75m, turn left on a narrow sunken track which soon rises and continues ahead through gorse. Turn left at the next crossing track and follow the line of cables to reach the road.

5. Join the BW on the other side and then take the first track on the right. Pass under the overhead cables, go over a crossing track and then take the first track on the left; this stony track leads through heather and heads back towards the overhead cables. At the T-junction turn left and, after a few metres, turn right on another stony track. Bear right at the fork on a good path leading gently uphill.

6. Come, at the top, to a T-junction where there are pylons which were seen on the outward route. Instead of re-tracing your steps take the BW, with parallel overhead cables to the left of the track. This BW leads directly back to the start of the walk.