Attractions and Places To See around Stratfield Turgis - Top 20

Approaching Coombes Lane from the east, the light begins to change. The shadows stretch too long, too early. The gravel beneath your wheels seems to hum—low, nearly imperceptible, like a pressure change behind your ears. Some say it’s just the trees. Others claim it’s a localized temporal anomaly, like brushing the edge of a vortex or slipping sideways through time. Either way, once you cross the threshold, things feel different. This junction once marked part of the old Bearwood estate. Before the event, “Bearwood” might’ve referred to ancient bear hunts across the land. Now it seems to describe the path itself—bare, worn, and faintly haunted by old instincts. Stripped-back gravel flows down the sandy track, smooth enough for fast two-wheel traversal—if you don’t stop moving. The lane runs tight along the perimeter of a forgotten golf course, its greens now gone to seed. Golf Men still roam there—solitary figures locked in endless loops, trailing white objects with ritualistic obsession. No one knows if they ever finish a round, but the low groans they emit suggest occasional joy, frequent regret, and a heavy air of bunked sadness. Keep your distance. Don’t try to help. And above all, don’t retrieve the ball. Reports of large wild cats once circulated here. Some say they’re still around—shadows with tails, low to the ground, seen only between blinks. Add that to the interference in your comms, occasional compass spin, and persistent sense of déjà vu, and Coombes Lane earns its reputation. A hidden bunker is rumored somewhere near the lane, though most agree it’s more likely the ghost of an ancient Roman outpost. Caesar’s Camp isn’t far off, and the landscape still holds the scars of older empires. Byways peel off into Barkham Woods, a tangled sprawl of secondary paths, watchpoints, and blind corners. Good for exploration. Also good for ambushes. Z movement has been mapped here. Canine patrols, too—some with collars, some without. Assume neither is friendly. This trail was once favored by the Finchmen—a band of gravel-bike scavengers known for their speed, discipline, and strict adherence to the old countryside code. You’d do well to ride in their spirit: leave no trace, close all gates, pack out your trash, and never—ever—feed the Golf Men. If you’re looking for quiet exploration with a side of strangeness and the feeling that time might not run quite right here… Coombes Lane delivers.

Nice way of getting to silchester, road surface wasn’t great if coming from the Bramley Road, but once you clear the first few houses and start the climb it starts to improve.

Our local NT place we go here often. Morgaston woodland walks out of the back gate where you will also find a hide overlooking wetlands. Secure bike parking limited. Suggestion attach to wooden fence by reception and we will keep an eye on it but can’t be responsible. Highlight for us in this house is the chapel. Lovely lake but rebuilding work to a bridge in progress at the moment

Accessed via the towpath on the Basingstoke Canal, which makes for a pleasant walk, if sometimes a little busy, Odiham Castle is interesting to walk around. The towpath can get a little muddy!

Calleva originated during the Iron Age and became the centre of the kingfom of the Atrebates. After Roman invasion in 43AD, the town was enlarged. It thrived throughout Roman rule, but, upon their departure, the town was slowly abandoned. Today, the site is managed by English Heritage. You can visit the crumbling Roman walls and amphitheatre. Entrance is free.

Coming up into Little London is good from both directions. And, of course, there's the Plough at the top of the hamlet/village (although the last time I went in, it struck me very much as a local's pub). The ride down Frog Lane is good too - narrow, single track ad a little mucky towards the bottom. If you come up Frog Lane from the opposite direction, it's a nice little tester of a climb. It's apparently only 5-6% but feels harder!

Nice short ride for a sunny evening

Nice little spot to stop for a break.