Silchester Roman Town Walls
Children will enjoy being gladiators in the amphitheatre.
The amphitheatre is open to explore
The Basics
Time: 1 hour
Distance: 3.7 km / 2.3 miles
Terrain: Flat, firm turf paths.
Pushchairs: This route is suitable for pushchairs capable of off-road conditions.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on this walk.
Refreshments: There are no refreshments on this walk, but The Calleva Arms in Silchester is a short drive away.
Toilets: There are portaloo toilets.
Public Transport: There is no public transport to this location.
Parking: Wall Lane car park, up to 2 hours £2, up to 4 hours £4 (Postcode: RG7 2HJ - W3W: ///verbs.adapt.functions)
The Roman Walls are clearly visible
Five miles north of Basingstoke, you will find this extraordinary piece of history. The city walls of what was once Calleva Atrebatum are remarkably well preserved, and on this free-to-enter walk around the circumference, you will clearly be able to see the Roman fortifications as well as one of the best preserved amphitheatres in England.
The Route
The walk begins from the Wall Lane car park. Take the path through the gate beyond the information boards. Walk along the path with a large paddock to the right and the hedge to your left and follow the path at the end as it bends to the left. Continue, with another paddock to your right and then bend right and then left with the path.
You will now reach a cross path. Turn right along the path signed to the south gate and the church. At the next cross path, go through the kissing gate, signed to the church again. Follow the path through trees with a stream to your right. You will start to get your first glimpses of the walls to your left. Proceed along the same path as it emerges from the trees and more substantial sections of the wall come into view. Keep the walls to your left and continue the circuit until you reach the church.
After exploring the church, the most direct and pushchair friendly way of approaching the amphitheatre is to join Church Lane and follow the road for a few metres as it bends to the left and becomes Wall Lane. Just on the bend, you will see the entrance to the amphitheatre on your right. After enjoying the amphitheatre, return to the lane and turn right.
After a few metres, you will be able to leave the road through a gate and re-join the path adjacent to the walls. Continue around the walls in the anti-clockwise direction, passing the west gate along the way. Keep going until you reach the cross path from step two, where you should turn right and retrace your steps back to the car park.
A two minute drive from the car park is the attractive Silchester village with a pub, large village green and excellent play area.
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Did you know?
Originally an Iron Age settlement, Calleva Atrebatum was unusual for a Roman town in England as it was not abandoned until the 6th or 7th Century. It is also notable as a Medieval town did not grow up in its place. In fact, the only remaining evidence of occupation after this time is the 12th Century Church of St. Mary. The current village of Silchester to the west was founded in the 17th Century.
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