www.berkshirewalkers.com and www.berkshirewalkers.org.uk
Walks Programme
Our walks are mostly planned and led by volunteers from within our group, but occasionally we have joint walks with neighbouring groups. The walks are open to all members of Ramblers Association groups, and also to anyone interested in joining our group.
A combined programme of the walks, holidays and social events is available on our downloads page.
A Google Map has been set up to display Berkshire showing markers for the starting points for each of our walks. There is a list of the walks on the left-hand side. Clicking on any of these will display the start location on the map, complete with a summary of the walk details. Go on. Give it a try!
Months: March , April , May
March 2010
Sunday 7th March - Stokenchurch, 10 miles, moderate
Joint walk with the Chilterns 20-30s Walking Group
Meet at 10:30am on the corner of Church Street, off the A40 just east of the Kings Hotel in Stokenchurch
(SU761962)
This circular walk passes close to Chinnor and Bledlow before returning via Bledlow Ridge.
There will be a pub stop towards the end of the walk. Hilly in places. Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
Leader: Chris 07984 255322
Saturday 13th March - Thatcham and Stanford Dingley, 10 miles, moderate
Park and start at SU524680
Frank Hutchings Community Hall, Bradley Moore Square, off Harts Hill Road, Thatcham at 10:30am promptly.
Please do not park by the side of the Co-op store.
The walk takes us via a maze of paths and tracks in Bucklebury Common into the Pang Valley and the village of Stanford Dingley.
We will stop first for lunch and then have a pub drink in the village before heading back to Thatcham via the delightful river Pang,
the Bucklebury Farm Park where we may see some of the 150 deer and different parts of the common.
Leader: Mike and Alison 01635 863831 or 07929 149636(Alison) or 07748 213647(Mike)
Sunday 14th March - St Mary Bourne and the Test Way, 11 miles, moderate
Start 10:30am (SU421504 or SP11 6BB) at the St Mary Bourne playing field car park. A straightforward walk from St Mary Bourne to Middleton and back again. The walk takes in a substantial part of the Test Way and is over mainly undulating open ground giving good views throughout. Please bring a picnic lunch and enough to drink as usual. A pub stop half-way around walk is planned, with the option of another at the end. Possible lift from Bracknell from leader, if given enough notice.
Leader: Jim 07734 569216
Sunday 21st March - Pangbourne, 5 miles, moderate
Meeting at Pangbourne railway station (SU632766) for an 11:00am start we shall head off north across the Thames. We will continue to track the Thames, before heading inland and looping round back to Pangbourne and the pub. Please bring a packed lunch and a drink. The station car park currently costs £2.10 all day (other car parks are available in Pangbourne), and on the current timetable the train from Reading arrives at 10:52am. However, this information may change, so please check beforehand or contact the leader the week before the walk to avoid disappointment.
Leader: Mike 07910 3Seven2297
Saturday 27th March - Sunningdale, Virginia Water and Ascot, 9-11 miles, moderate
Start at 11:00am at the main entrance to Sunningdale railway station
(SU952667).
The destination is South Ascot railway station. Along the way we will be taking in part of Virginia Water country park and Windsor Great Park.
Bring your own drink and sandwiches for an early lunch. There will be an optional pub stop at the end of the walk.
The walking should be mostly on well maintained paths, without any difficult climbs. However, the last stretch may be very muddy,
so sensible footwear is still required.
Car parking is possible at either station (check for charges), and obviously a single rail ticket will be required.
Travelling by train is recommended; be sure to buy a return ticket to the station furthest from where you leave home
(that is Sunningdale if travelling from Reading). 10:12 (Reading) - 10:43 (Sunningdale) return £6.30 (£4.15 with railcard).
The leader and likely others on the walk will have railcards, which can be used to cover up to 4 people.
Persons travelling from Reading can meet for 10am at the entrance to Reading station.
Leader: Richard 07930 548379
Monday 29thMarch - Brecon Beacons, 4 miles, moderate
Nick and Ian are offering a short walk to finish off the weekend away with HF in the Brecon Beacons, which is open to all members of the group, not just those attending the Brecon Beacons weekend away. Nick and Ian will decide which of the following two walks will be led on the itself, so if you are in the area on Monday and feel like joining them, give them a call first to find out which walk is taking place and to confirm the details.
Option 1 Craig Cerrig-Gleisiad – 4 miles and 1,050 feet of decent. Meet 10:15am for a prompt 10:30am start in the small picnic
area on the A470 (SN972221),
two miles south of the junction with the A4215 on the right hand side.
This walk is in the National Nature Reserve and along clear footpaths and broad stoney tracks.
Option 2 Sugar Loaf - 4½ miles and 1050 feet of ascent/decent. Guide time two and a half hours. Meet in the car park at
SO268167
at 10:45 am for a prompt 11:00am start. (About 20 miles from Brecon)
To reach the car park travel east along the A40 from Brecon. Look out for pub on left hand side just before you reach Abergavenny
(Ian and Nick will advise on pub name at Brecon) and take next left into Pentre Road.
Take the next left and then at the end of road turn left into Pentre Lane. Follow road and after sharp left turn 90°,
take right fork and continue until car park at end of road.
This is one of the most popular and distinctive of the Abergaveny Peak. Mostly grassy tracks.
Leaders: Ian M 07762 054207 and Nick G 07710 350 492
April 2010
Sunday 4th April - Cranleigh to Guildford, 12 miles, challenging, fast paced
Meet at the car park just off the High Street in Cranleigh
(TQ054391),
which is reached by turning right at the mini roundabout by Superdrug, for a 10:30am start.
The walk is all flat and quite long but enjoyable. We walk along the lovely countryside from Cranleigh to Guildford,
stopping for lunch in Bramley by the old railway station. The bus fare from Guildford back to Cranleigh is currently £3.20.
There will be a pub stop at the end of the walk, either at Guildford while we wait for the bus (which runs hourly) or back in Cranleigh.
Please bring a packed lunch and a drink as usual.
Leader: Greg 07780 945591
Sunday 11th April - Basingstoke Canal from Odiham, 6 or 10 miles, easy
Start at 10:30am form the free car park at Odiham Wharf
(SU747517).
Directions: From the M3, Junction 5, take the Odiham exit and follow the A287.
Take the second exit at the first roundabout and then take the third exit at the second roundabout, into Odiham.
Take the second right-hand turning, doubling back into London Road. Follow this road past the Water Witch pub and over a bridge
into the car park. (Note that there is no direct access to the car park from the A287 despite its close proximity.)
This figure-of-eight walk first follows the canal east to Winchfield and Dogmersfield, and then heads west to North Warnborough and back.
This walk is almost entirely flat and there is an opportunity to stop after 6 miles if you only want a short walk.
There will be picnic stop in the first half of the walk and a pub-stop in the second half. Bring a packed lunch and water as usual.
Leader: Rob 07786 116988
Saturday 17th April - A walk across Berkshire, 14 miles, challenging
An opportunity to say that you’ve walked all the way across the county of Berkshire! Linear walk from Mortimer to Pangbourne.
Meet at 10:10am* at stop SW on Forbury Road by the roundabout in front of the main entrance to Reading Station
(SU715737).
We’ll be catching the 10:20am Reading Buses no. 2 bus to Mortimer. We’ll initially head south into Hampshire, then turn back north and
walk all the way across Berkshire, before briefly setting foot into Oxfordshire shortly before the end of the walk at Pangbourne Station.
We’ll catch the train back to Reading from here.
Bus / train times are subject to change. Please check in the week before the walk
(www.reading-buses.co.uk,
www.nationalrail.co.uk).
*If the bus times change, the start time will change to match.
A single from Reading to Mortimer costs £3.20. Bring assorted small change, as you will need an exact fare.
A single from Pangbourne back to Reading costs £2.80.
For those wanting a shorter walk, there is the option of cutting it short at approx 9 miles by catching a train back from Theale
(£2.80 single), or 10 miles by catching a bus back from Savacentre (£1.70 single).
As usual, bring sandwiches and a drink. Possible pub stop en route, and/or in Pangbourne at the end of the walk.
Leader: Neil 0118 975 1528 / 0793 225 8788 or nfrankum(at)hotmail.com
Please replace the (at) with an @ in the email address above.
Sunday 18th April - Thames Path - London Eye to Greenwich, 7½ miles, easy
Meet near the London Eye, by the ticket hall entrance outside the County Hall building
(TQ306799) for an
11:30am start. The meeting point can be reached easily from Waterloo station.
A linear walk following the Thames Path along the South Bank, past Tower Bridge and onwards to Greenwich.
Return to central London by the Docklands Light Railway from the Cutty Sark. Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
Leader: Carole 07590 635071
Thursday 22nd April - Silchester, 3 miles, easy
The walk will start from the car park on the playing fields at Silchester
(SU626622) at 6:45pm.
There will be a pub-stop at the end, which is also a social event.
See Social Events page for details.
This walk may get cancelled at short notice due to work commitments but the social event will still go ahead.
Please check with the leader to confirm that the walk is still on.
Leader: Neil 0118 975 1528 / 0793 225 8788 or nfrankum(at)hotmail.com
Please replace the (at) with an @ in the email address above.
Saturday 24th April - Coln St Aldwyn on the River Coln, 6 miles, easy
The walk will start and finish in Bibury opposite Arlington Mill and the entrance to the famous trout farm
(SP113068).
Please arrive in time for an 11:00am start.
"A not to be hurried walk. A long stroll beside a wide shallow river in total peace and tranquility,
broken only by a pub lunch of the highest order and a farmland return to reality" (Cotswold river walks, 2006).
Afterwards you could stop off at the mill, the trout farm and/or the Swan.
If you want to turn it into a weekend there are plenty of places to stay in Bibury alone such as the Swan, Bibury Court Hotel and many more.
If people choose to stay it would be nice to have dinner in the Swan or venture to Cirencester for a louder night out!
Leader: Amy 07792 160251
May 2010
Sunday 2nd May - Reading to Pangbourne, 6 miles, easy
Meet at Reading Station
(SU715738) for a
10:30am start. This will be a linear walk following the Thames Path through Purley on Thames and past Mapledurham Lock.
There is a regular train service from Pangbourne back to Reading. The ticket office at Pangbourne station is not always open,
so you are advised to buy a return ticket from Reading. Please bring a packed lunch to eat by the lock.
There will be a pub stop in Pangbourne and, if people wish, back in Reading.
There will also be a social later the same day at 8pm in the Hope Tap pub in Reading –
please see the social events programme for further details.
Leader: Jenny 07799 264Seven08
Saturday 8th May - Reading to Sulhamstead, 7½ miles, easy
This is part of the Kennet and Avon Relay Canal Walk celebrating the canal's 200 year history.
Meet at the Oracle Shopping Centre, Reading RG1 2AG, by the cinema on the south side of the canal
(SU716732) for a 1pm start.
Kate Ashbrook (Ramblers Trustee) has confirmed she will be with us on the first day. She will give an introduction to the 75 years of Ramblers.
We are awaiting confirmation from the Mayor of Reading that he is able to attend.
A representative from British Waterways will be in attendance and we expect to have the Chairman of the K&A Canal Trust,
Reading Branch to give us a brief introduction to the canal. It’s planned to have press, radio and TV coverage.
We will walk 3½ miles to reach The Cunning Man, Burghfield Road, Burghfield Bridge, Reading,
RG30 3RB at 3pm for a tea stop.
During the break we may have a talk from a member of NWPG describing the restoration work carried out on the section we have walked
and are walking. Participants can leave or join the walk here.
After 4 miles we will reach Tyle Mill, Sulhamstead,
RG7 4BS
where the walk officially ends (around 5pm).
I intend to continue the walk for an extra 2¼ miles to Aldermaston Railway Station and get the train back to Reading.
You are very welcome to accompany me.
Leader: Rob 07786 116988
Sunday 9th May - Sulhamstead to Kintbury, up to 16 miles, moderate
This is part of the Kennet and Avon Relay Canal Walk celebrating the canal's 200 year history.
Meet at Tyle Mill, Sulhamstead
(SU627692 or RG7 4BS)
for a 9:30am start.
We will have a brief stop at the K&A visitor centre at Aldermaston Lock. We will walk 4½ miles to reach our coffee stop at
11:30am by the Rowbarge Inn, Station Rd, Woolhampton, Reading, RG7 5SH where participants can leave or join the walk.
During the break we may have a talk from a member of NWPG describing the restoration work carried out on the section we have
walked and are walking.
We will walk 3 miles to reach the Swan Inn, Station Road, Thatcham, RG19 4QL by 1pm to hand over the baton to West Berks Ramblers.
We will be joined by the Mayor of Thatcham and we hope to have the Chairman of the K&A Canal Trust, Newbury Branch give us a brief
introduction to the section we will be walking. Participants can leave or join the walk here. It’s planned to have local press, radio
and TV coverage.
We will walk 3 miles by 2:30pm for a tea stop at the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust Shop and Café.
There will be an opportunity to view the display about the canal at the Stone Building. We will be joined by the Mayor of Newbury.
During the break we may have a talk from a member of NWPG describing the restoration work carried out on the section we have walked
and are walking. Participants can leave or join the walk here.
We will then walk 5½ miles to reach the Dundas Arms, 53 Station Rd, Kintbury, Hungerford, RG17 9UT by 5:30pm for the conclusion of day 2.
Walkers' return journeys along sections of the route can be made by exiting at bridge points to connect with public transport (bus or train)
or private arrangements for car pick ups. The no. 1 bus runs at least hourly along the A4.
Leader: Dan 0776 1192509
Thursday 13th May - Maidenhead, 3 miles, easy
The walk will start from the car park at Maidenhead Thicket
(SU859809) at 7:00pm.
From the junction of the A4 and A404 head east towards Maidenhead. After 50m turn left at a roundabout.
The car park is on the left in about 200m. Adjourning up the road to The Shire Horse for a post walk drink.
This walk may get cancelled at short notice due to work commitments. Please check with the leader to confirm that it is still on.
Leader: Neil 0118 975 1528 / 0793 225 8788 or nfrankum(at)hotmail.com
Please replace the (at) with an @ in the email address above.
Sunday 16th May - Vernham Dean, Hippenscombe Bottom and Wexcombe Down, 16 miles, moderate-challenging
Meet at the Vernham Dean playing field car park at SU345563, SP11 0HB for a 10:00am start. The walk goes via Hippenscombe Bottom, Lower and Upper Chute, Wexcombe Down and Fosbury Hill. Great views with the price of a few fair hills! Pub at the end and possible pub stop half way round.
Leader: Anthony 07870 199750
Saturday 22nd May - Crondall, Horsedown common and Wimble Hill, 8-9 miles, moderate
Meet at Crondall Church for a 10:30am start, SU794485; park beside the churchyard wall or nearest available area (parking consideratly as usual). Gently undulating farmland and long views; potentially boggy in places. As usual, please bring lunch and a drink. We will proceed to Horsedown Common and then on to Wimble Hill before returning to the pretty village of Crondall, where we will have a pub stop at the end of the walk.
Leader: Alex 07544 985639
Sunday 23rd May - Aldermaston, 5½ miles, easy
New members walk - Get Walking Day
Meet at Aldermaston station
(SU601673) for a
11:00am start.
The walk will head out from Aldermaston Wharf, to Padworth, before turning to the west and Aldermaston Village.
We pass Aldermaston Church before heading north again to rejoin the Kennet and Avon canal, which will take us back to our starting point.
There is a drinking hole in Aldermaston Wharf, should anyone wish to slake their thirst before going home.
Trains from Reading depart (at time of writing) at 10:44, arriving in Aldermaston Wharf at 10:58.
Please check the train times before travelling.
Leader: Lee 07780 683521
Saturday 29th May - Wantage, 11 miles, moderate
Meet just off the A417 in centre of Wantage for a 10:30am start
(SU403879).
If travelling west on the A417 there are 2 sets of double miniroundabouts as you enter Wantage. Take a left at what is in effect
the 4th mini roundabout and park up along this road. (If you end up driving past petrol station, you have gone too far).
This walk involves a steep climb as we join up with the Ridgeway but we are rewarded with some great views of the Lambourn Downs.
It is quite exposed so it could get a bit blustery. Strong footwear recommended as walk through fields, farmland and some tarmac.
Please bring water, packed lunch and a few pounds for some liquid refreshment at one or two drinking establishments that we may visit
en route.
Possible lift available from walk leader from Reading area if given enough notice.
Leader: Dan 0776 1192509
Sunday 30th May - Sonning Scarecrow Trail and Shiplake, 9 miles, easy
Meet at 11:00am at Sonning Farm, Sonning on Charvil Lane (B478), which is just off the A4 at the Charvil / Texaco Garage roundabout
(SU761754).
Sonning Farm will be open for parking.
Alternatively the railway station at Twyford is only 35 minutes' walk away (get the 10:18 from Reading).
This is a circular walk, passing through Sonning Village, where over 75 weird, wonderful and colourful scarecrows will be decorating it.
We will walk along the river to Shiplake, and back through some woods and fields on some gentle hills,
before seeing the rest of the scarecrows in Sonning. Along the way there is a short steep path to go up.
Leader: Robert 07708 699873
Updates to Walk Details
While every effort is made to adhere to the details specified in the walk description, there may be the occasional last minute changes. These will be included in the weekly email bulletins and also posted on the website. If you are not on the email distribution list, it is worth contacting the walk leader prior to any walks you attend, just in case there is a change of plan.