ground


	Hamstead Marshall Getting around

	where and what is the extent of the parish?

	Hamstead Marshall covers an area of about 1,850 acres (750 hectares). Roughly speaking, it is bounded to the north by the railway, to the west by Kintbury, to the south by Hampshire and to the east by Enborne. The current civil parish boundary was laid down in 1991, and is mostly the same as the church parish boundary of medieval times.

		maps

	Map showing a radius of about 5 miles around Hamstead Marshall Larger-scale map of the village showing roads, footpaths and the parish boundary Images produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service with permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

	footpaths		buses

		Public footpaths are shown on the larger scale map, a copy of which is also posted at the Village Information Point at Ash Tree Corner. There are no roadside pavements in the village. For a stroll on a surfaced ground the best bet is either the footpath into Hamstead Park from Hamstead Mill to the top of the hill, because this follows the paved drive for about half a mile, or on the eastwards towpath which has been surfaced for cyclists. The Farm Trail at Elm Farm is open to walkers every day, all year round. See the local walks page for more details of walking routes around the parish.
			Newbury Buses service no.13 connects Hamstead Marshall with Newbury, and with Hungerford via Kintbury and Inkpen. The route follows the Kintbury Road, stopping at the Craven Arms, Ash Tree Corner, the White Hart and Chapel Corner. There are six or seven services each way most days Monday-Saturday. Newbury Buses may be contacted at the Bus Station, Market Place, Newbury, Berks RG14 5DP tel 01635 567500.

			trains

			Nearest stations are at Kintbury and Newbury. This line carries First Great Western trains from Paddington to Penzance. Fast trains to London take about 50 minutes. To plan a rail journey visit national rail enquiries or Qjump for information and bookings.

	cycling

	The Kennet and Avon cycle route (84 miles Reading to Bath) passes through Hamstead Marshall using the towpath and Irish HIll Road. For details try the Sustrans site. A map of the route is also posted at the Village Information Point at Ash Tree Corner. Cycling is permitted on the full length of the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath, but not on footpaths.

			disability transport

			Kintbury Volunteer Group runs a regular Handybus service (with room for two wheelchairs) to Hungerford, Newbury and Marlborough, covering collection and drop-off to homes in Hamstead Marshall. Places are allocated on a first-come first-served basis, and there is a small charge for the service. Ring 01488 657119 between 9-11am weekdays.The group also arranges hospital transport and prescription collection for patients of the Kintbury surgery.

	horse-riding

The only bridle path within the parish runs across Elm Farm land for about a quarter of a mile. There are others in adjoining parishes. Horse-riding is not allowed on the canal towpath. For a fee riders can sometimes obtain permission to ride across the 300-acre Morewood Estate. Morewood also runs a livery stable. There are riding stables at Holtwood Farm and at Hamstead Growers Equestrian.