First Battle of Newbury - 20 September 1643

In some ways, the first battle of Newbury was similar to Edgehill. Both had a force that was trying to get to London. At Edgehill, the King was trying to get to London to threaten the city and end the war early. At Newbury, the Parliamentarians under the Earl of Essex were trying to get back to the safety London to protect his force for further operations. In both cases, the way to London was forced open, but neither battle was decisive. Both battles were to be lost opportunities for the King to successfully threaten the Parliamentary cause whilst he had the army, funds and ground to his advantage.
Essex was trying to get out of the west of England without undue damage after successfully relieving the siege of Gloucester, the last major Parliamentary bastion in the West. He had not had a major fight at Gloucester. The Royalists lifted the siege just when hearing of their approach, but set off to try to trap Essex's army away from London and kill it off. For Essex, it was one thing to help a besieged town break a siege by a cavalry heavy force. It is quite another to fight that force on open ground.
Prince Rupert harried Essex's march so much that the King's forces were able to secure Newbury and its river crossings before Essex, which blocked the road to London. Essex tried to skirt south of the King's positions, but ended up meeting them on Wash Common to the southwest of Newbury. Eventually a battle line running from the River Kennet in the north to Wash Common in the south was established. However, most of the fighting happened on and around Wash Common and atop Round Hill as both sides realised the importance of the route through there and the advantages it gave over the lower ground in the north.
The fighting involved a protracted artillery duel, infantry surges and cavalry charges, all to little effect for either side. Both sides settled that night largely where they started the day. Unfortunately for the Royalists, they were short on gunpowder and had to retire from the field overnight, which left the route open for Essex to file through the southwestern gap.

Rides, Routes and Waypoints

50-60 miles, depending on the options chosen. Take the A343 southwest out of Newbury to Andover, one of the great roads in south-central England. Near Andover, take the north-side ring road to the A342. Turn right on the A342 northwest to Ludgershall. Turn right on the A346 to Cadley. At Cadley, join the A338 going north to Burbage. Near Burbage, take a right on the roundabout, staying on the A338 towards Hungerford. From Hungerford, take the A4 back to Newbury. At the beginning or end of the ride, explore the residential and farm lanes around the battlefield, which is near Wash Common.
Use Ordnance Survey Landranger 174. The battlefield is centred on SU 454662. If using a road map, the battlefield is located in West Newbury around Wash Common.