Lambourn Valley Way

You'll follow the clear waters of the River Lambourn through open, rolling fields and meadows that give you a real sense of space and calm.

Great Shefford is a natural stopping point along the way, where you can rest by the river or visit the local church. One thing that makes this walk distinctive is how prominent horses are in the landscape—the Lambourn Valley is a major centre for horse racing, so you'll regularly spot racehorses in training and see stable yards scattered across the fields.

The path largely follows the route of the old Lambourn Valley Railway, a disused branch line, which adds a subtle historical layer to your walk. You have flexibility here: you can do a shorter loop around Great Shefford itself, or extend further along the valley towards Lambourn, which earned itself the nickname "Valley of the Racehorse," or continue eastwards to Hungerford, a proper market town with more facilities and good transport connections if you want to start or finish your walk there.

It's the sort of place that appeals if you enjoy walking, local history, and watching rural life go about its business. The combination of water, open countryside, and equestrian heritage makes it feel quite different from many other Cotswolds walks.