ストラトフィールドセイのおすすめランニングルート

Found inside the lovely church of St Mary’s near Silchester. Nil desperandum - my new motto for hills

Fabulous coffee and cinnamon buns

Annual dig by Reading University (and other) archaeologists. Unfortunately, discontinued because of lack of cash and COVID.

Sherfield on Loddon is always good for a coffee stop.

A delightful coffee stop, especially after their post-COVID restructuring, which includes plenty of outside seating (with shade parasols). Choice of coffee and cakes is good. Very popular but I've never not been able to get seated. And, it's open all day on Sundays, which is quite unusual. If there is any negatives, it is location! Positioned very close to the busy A33, it is best accessed from nearby much quieter lanes with a short detour. Riding on the A33 is unpleasant!

St Mary the Virgin at Silchester sits at the top of Church Lane, a quiet single track road. This can get a little messy when the weather has been wet, with mud & debris running into the road and in parts forming two 'tracks' through the mud. Just be aware. Likewise, if you do have the misfortune to meet a car (or tractor) there is little room for both. In the summer months, walkers are often encountered walking in the middle of the road seemingly oblivious to anything else. The roman wall around Calleva Atrebatum is very popular, especially as you can walk on it all the way round. That said, I find Church Lane, Wall Lane and Clappers Farm Road, all of which pretty much come together at the church, to be lovely quiet roads to ride on. I do enjoy the undulating nature of most of the lanes around here.

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.

Highly HIGHLY recommend this place. I'm usually underwhelmed by cafe stops, but this place absolutely nailed it! Super friendly, efficient staff; delicious food in big portions (I couldn't even finish my sandwich) and plenty of places to rest your bike with lots of outdoor seating, which even has heating so you don't have to worry about getting cold! Excellent