Local Attractions And Walks

Silchester is the site of the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum, one of the most important Roman sites in Britain. Today you’ll find grassy earthworks, information boards and a quiet, countryside feel rather than a busy attraction.

From the same visit you can explore inside the former town and follow paths around much of the Roman wall line, enjoying views across fields and into the interior. It’s close enough to The Red Lion to visit before lunch or for a stroll after an early dinner.

• Approx. distance & travel from The Red Lion: The main Wall Lane car park near the Roman Town (RG7 2HP) is about 1–1.5 miles from the pub – roughly 3–5 minutes by car or 20–30 minutes on foot, depending on route and pace.
• Dog-friendly: Yes, with restrictions. Dogs are generally welcome on public paths in and around the site; use a lead near livestock, other visitors and where signs request it.
• Child-friendly: Yes / mostly. Great for school-age children and teenagers who enjoy history and open space. Families comfortable with a few miles of walking can complete much of the walls path; younger children may prefer shorter “there-and-back” sections.
• Parking: Charged car park off Wall Lane, usually used for both town and wall walks. Details may change; please check latest information before travelling.
• Terrain & accessibility: A mix of grass and compacted paths with some uneven ground, banks and woodland edges. Parts of the wall circuit can be muddy and sloping. Not fully suitable for wheelchairs or small-wheeled pushchairs.
• Facilities: Interpretation panels on the site. No café or toilets at the town or walls themselves; many visitors combine with facilities at The Red Lion or nearby villages.
• Safety notes: Uneven ground, banks, ditches and low branches in places. Wear suitable footwear and supervise children on the earthworks and steeper sections of the banks.
• Anything unclear: Official sources do not clearly confirm accessibility for every path around the walls, so please plan carefully if anyone in your group has limited mobility, and consider shorter sections rather than the full circuit.

Benyon’s Enclosure is a block of woodland close to the pub, with tracks leading to Kiln Pond and West End Brook – a peaceful local beauty spot.

• Approx. distance & travel from The Red Lion: Woodland paths can usually be joined within about 0.5–1 mile of the pub, often 10–20 minutes’ walk depending on route. Driving is rarely needed for local loops.
  
• Dog-friendly: Yes, with restrictions. Very popular with local dog walkers; keep dogs under control and away from the water’s edge where banks may be steep.
  
• Child-friendly: Yes, mostly. Good for short adventures with trees, tracks and water to look at; extra care is needed around the pond.
  
• Parking: Most visitors combine a walk with time at The Red Lion, starting and finishing at the pub. If you plan to park and walk only, please check with the pub first. Details may change; please check latest information before travelling.
  
• Terrain & accessibility: Forest tracks and narrower paths, often muddy, with roots and gentle slopes. Not formally accessible for wheelchairs and only partly suitable for robust off-road buggies.
  
• Facilities: None in the woods. The Red Lion provides toilets, food and drinks before or after your walk.
  
• Safety notes: Working woodland with occasional forestry operations. Obey any temporary closures or warning signs, and supervise children near water.
  
• Anything unclear: Official sources do not clearly mark standard circular routes; local walking apps and guides can help you choose a loop.
  

Local heritage trails around Mortimer and Mortimer West End highlight churches, older buildings and village history, sometimes linked to simple walking routes.

• Approx. distance & travel from The Red Lion: Mortimer village is about 3–4 miles from the pub, typically 10–15 minutes by car or 45–60 minutes on foot via country lanes and paths.
  
• Dog-friendly: Yes, with restrictions. Dogs on leads are generally fine on pavements and public footpaths; follow any specific farmland signage.
  
• Child-friendly: Yes. A nice way to combine a gentle walk with spotting points of interest from a leaflet or map.
  
• Parking: Limited village parking; use signed car parks or park considerately on streets.
  
• Terrain & accessibility: Mix of pavements, lanes and some unsurfaced paths. Parts of the route may be step-free, but not all.
  
• Facilities: Village shops and services, with The Red Lion a short drive away for meals and drinks.
  
• Safety notes: Some stretches use roads with narrow pavements; supervise children, especially near traffic.

Alongside being a walking starting point, Aldermaston Wharf is a pleasant day-out location in its own right, with boats, locks and canal-side views.

• Approx. distance & travel from The Red Lion: Around 3–4 miles from the pub, usually 10–15 minutes by car.
  
• Dog-friendly: Yes, with restrictions. Dogs are widely walked along the towpath; leads are important near locks, roads and bridges.
  
• Child-friendly: Yes. Suitable for gentle family strolls or short bike rides, as long as children are closely supervised near open water and moving boats.
  
• Parking: Canal-side and local parking near the wharf; time limits or charges may apply and can change.
  
• Terrain & accessibility: Largely level towpath; surface conditions vary and may affect wheelchair or buggy access.
  
• Facilities: Café and small museum (when open), picnic spots and the wider Kennet & Avon Canal to explore.
  
• Safety notes: Water edges and working locks require extra care for both children and dogs.

Stratfield Saye is the historic home of the Dukes of Wellington, with house tours on selected days and walks in its wider estate.

• Approx. distance & travel from The Red Lion: Around 5–8 miles from the pub, normally 15–25 minutes by car, depending on route and traffic.
  
• Dog-friendly: Yes, with restrictions in estate areas where dogs are permitted; the house and formal gardens are unlikely to allow dogs, apart from assistance dogs. Check current policy before visiting.
  
• Child-friendly: Mostly. House tours tend to suit older children; estate walks can work well for families who enjoy gentle parkland.
  
• Parking: Visitor parking is usually provided on open days. Details may change; please check latest information before travelling.
  
• Terrain & accessibility: Historic house (with stairs and uneven floors) plus parkland paths and tracks.
  
• Facilities: Toilets and often a café or refreshments, especially on open days.
  
• Safety notes: Water bodies and livestock may be present; supervise children and dogs carefully.

Wellington Country Park is a large outdoor family attraction with adventure play, animal enclosures, walking trails and seasonal activities, aimed largely at younger children.

• Approx. distance & travel from The Red Lion: Near Riseley (RG7 1SP), around 7–9 miles from the pub, typically 15–25 minutes by car in normal traffic.
• Dog-friendly: No / restricted. The park’s own rules vary by area and event; please check official guidance before bringing a dog.
• Child-friendly: Yes – strongly aimed at families, particularly with primary-age children.
• Parking: On-site visitor parking; charges and opening times apply. Details may change; please check latest information before travelling.
• Terrain & accessibility: Mix of surfaced paths and grass; many areas suitable for buggies, though some may be softer in poor weather.
• Facilities: Toilets, cafés, picnic spots, play areas and seasonal attractions.
• Safety notes: Follow park rules around animals, play equipment and water features.