Beating The Bounds
The Beating The Bounds event took place on 10 May 2015, but you can still use the instructions to follow the walking routes independently.
Beating the bounds is an ancient tradition carried out to ensure that the knowledge of where the parish boundaries lay was passed down the generations. Clergy with both young and old members of the church community walked the boundary, whipping boundary markers with sticks as they went. Prayers were said and hymns sung along the route. This custom was usually performed at Ascensiontide.
Our version of the ceremony used only paths and roads that are open to the public on or near the boundary.
Our version of the ceremony used only paths and roads that are open to the public on or near the boundary.
The Boundary
The present parish boundary runs from Horseshoe Lakes in the West to Owlsmoor and College Town in the East, and from Crowthorne and Broadmoor in the North to the Blackwater river in the South. Owlsmoor Parish forms an enclave near the east end of St Michaels parish, but the section of our parish to the east of Owlsmoor is out of bounds in the Military Academy.
A map of parish boundaries in the Sonning Deanery can be found on the home page of the Deanery website. Click here
for that page, then click on the map to select it, and click again to enlarge it.
A map of parish boundaries in the Sonning Deanery can be found on the home page of the Deanery website. Click here
for that page, then click on the map to select it, and click again to enlarge it.
Route Notes
You may like to refer to the routes as below, to follow independently or to use as the basis for prayer at home. A brief description is given on this page and you can open the .pdf files for full details including suggested prayer stops. .
Long Route
Start outside church
Distance 12 1/2 miles. .
From the church to Crowthorne station via Horseshoe Lakes and a section of Wellingtonia Avenue.
Crowthorne station to Little Sandhurst parallel to the railway.
Little Sandhurst to the car park at Wildmoor Heath.
Along the north edge of Wildmoor Heath for glimpses of Broadmoor.
Along the east edge of Wildmoor Heath using the boardwalk to St Marys and the Community Hall.
From the Community Hall to College Town and the Meadows roundabout.
Along the riverside to the sewage works then along the High Street back to the church.
Start outside church
Distance 12 1/2 miles. .
From the church to Crowthorne station via Horseshoe Lakes and a section of Wellingtonia Avenue.
Crowthorne station to Little Sandhurst parallel to the railway.
Little Sandhurst to the car park at Wildmoor Heath.
Along the north edge of Wildmoor Heath for glimpses of Broadmoor.
Along the east edge of Wildmoor Heath using the boardwalk to St Marys and the Community Hall.
From the Community Hall to College Town and the Meadows roundabout.
Along the riverside to the sewage works then along the High Street back to the church.
| longwalk.pdf |
Horseshoe Lakes and Little Sandhurst
Start Outside church
Distance 5 1/2 miles
This is the same as the initial sections of the Long Route as above, but returns to the church from Little Sandhurst
For detailed instructions see the first section of the Long walk .pdf file above
Start Outside church
Distance 5 1/2 miles
This is the same as the initial sections of the Long Route as above, but returns to the church from Little Sandhurst
For detailed instructions see the first section of the Long walk .pdf file above
Little Sandhurst and Wildmoor
Start outside church
Distance 5 miles.
From the church through Little Sandhurst to the car park at Wildmoor Heath on the edge of Crowthorne. After a circuit of the heath with distant views, return over Scotland Hill.
Start outside church
Distance 5 miles.
From the church through Little Sandhurst to the car park at Wildmoor Heath on the edge of Crowthorne. After a circuit of the heath with distant views, return over Scotland Hill.
| wildmoorwalk.pdf |
Owlsmoor
Start at Community Centre
Distance 4 miles.
From the Community Centre towards College town then along residential roads near the east and north edges of Owlsmoor, crossing Rackstraws Road. Return along the edge of Wildmoor Heath using the boardwalk.
Start at Community Centre
Distance 4 miles.
From the Community Centre towards College town then along residential roads near the east and north edges of Owlsmoor, crossing Rackstraws Road. Return along the edge of Wildmoor Heath using the boardwalk.
| owlsmoorwalk.pdf |
College Town and Riverside
Start at Community Centre
Distance 3 1/2 miles.
From the Community Centre to College Town and the Meadows roundabout. Return along the riverside and via the balancing pond.
Start at Community Centre
Distance 3 1/2 miles.
From the Community Centre to College Town and the Meadows roundabout. Return along the riverside and via the balancing pond.
| collegetownwalk.pdf |
Short Central Prayer Walk
Start at Community Centre
Distance 1 mile.
Unlike the rest of the walks this route does not include any of the boundary. We have included it as a short option entirely on tarmac paths and thus suitable for pushchairs. It complements the boundary walks by including prayer stops at churches and community sites on the Yorktown Rd as well as St Marys.
Start at Community Centre
Distance 1 mile.
Unlike the rest of the walks this route does not include any of the boundary. We have included it as a short option entirely on tarmac paths and thus suitable for pushchairs. It complements the boundary walks by including prayer stops at churches and community sites on the Yorktown Rd as well as St Marys.
| yorktownroadwalk.pdf |
What to Wear
Please dress for the weather of the day - which may imply rainwear/umbrella, or sunhat/sunglasses!
Make sure your footwear is comfortable especially if your chosen route is longer than you normally walk. Most of the rural paths are in good condition but be prepared for a few rough sections or patches of mud even in summer; hence walking shoes or boots are recommended.
For the Central Prayer Walk everyday town shoes will be fine.
Make sure your footwear is comfortable especially if your chosen route is longer than you normally walk. Most of the rural paths are in good condition but be prepared for a few rough sections or patches of mud even in summer; hence walking shoes or boots are recommended.
For the Central Prayer Walk everyday town shoes will be fine.
North boundary near Crowthorne / Broadmoor
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South boundary from the Hampshire side
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