Wed 09 JUL 2025 - ROMAN CALLEVA - MORTIMER TO ALDERMASTON - Mark B

From Mortimer the route follows a clear stream, then onward to the amphitheatre and the 2.5km of Roman walls surrounding the 107-acre site of the Roman town of Calleva with the twelfth-century church at its entrance. Recent clearance of foliage has improved the view of the amphitheatre and the wall. The afternoon route is mainly through woods of Scots pine, and commons of gorse and birch trees. Aldermaston, the final destination, is reached over the River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon canal.

 Leader

Roman site

Ready to Rumble (in the amphitheatre).

Just a smudge in the sky

Walking on the town wall

Off the wall

..a hole in the Roman Wall

grasses

Wild life  - possibly a young Polecat 

Tame life

Enjoying coffee and walnut cake at lunch…

 Afternoon shade stop at Padworth

Church at Padworth

Useless stile

 Crossing the Kennet to Aldermaston

 Old and new decoration in the Church – St Mary the Virgin  -
-   and our photographer crossing the Kennet flood-plain

Photos: Ruth, Dave H, Simon A