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.
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Ramblers Association a programme of walks has been compiled by the various Berkshire based walking groups.
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.
The Ramblers Association website has a Walk Finder Page were you can find other walks in your area.
Months: July , August , September
July 2010
Saturday 3rd July - Photographic walk in London, 5 miles, very slow!
This is a social event rather than one of our usual walks. A wander through central London from Tower Bridge to Covent Garden stopping very frequently to take pictures. See the Social Events programme for details.
Leader: Rob 07786 116988
Sunday 4th July - Cranleigh to Guildford, 12 miles, challenging
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
Wednesday 7th July - Crazies Hill, 4 miles, easy
Meet outside The Horns Pub (SU799809) in
Crazies Hill for a 6:45pm departure. We walk along country lanes, over farm land and through woodland. We will have a
drink stop at the end in The Horns.
Please do not use the car park at The Horns until after walk as we do not have permission.
(Although this description is the same as last year’s, the walk is completely different and was the one Ian’s team designed on the
leadership training day.)
Leader: Ian M 07762 054207
Saturday 10th July - Maidensgrove walk and pub lunch, 3 miles, easy
New members' walk
The walk starts outside the Five Horseshoes pub (SU711890)
between Maidensgrove and Russell's Water at 11am prompt. We have permission to use the pub's car park, which is opposite the pub itself.
There will be a short walk through woods and over valleys, going first to Little Cookley Hill and Oak Farm, then up around to Long Wood,
across to Russell's Waters and back to the pub for lunch. (There is a bit of a hill in the first part of the walk but we will take this slowly.)
The menu is on the pub's website, www.thefivehorseshoes.co.uk.
Please let Jenny know two weeks in advance if you would like to have lunch at the pub so that she can book tables.
Leader: Jenny 07799 264Seven08
Sunday 11th July - Ufton Court, 5 miles (3 hrs), or 9 miles (5 hrs), gentle
See the 75th Anniversary Walks Programme for details.
Saturday 17th July - Pewsey Downs and Vale Of Pewsey, 15-16 miles, challenging
The walk will start at 10:30am from the Pewsey Downs nature reserve car park
(SU116638). Head west from Marlborough along the A4.
After about 2 miles, go past a Total petrol station in the village of Fyfield, and take the second turn on the left as you go up the hill
(towards Lockeridge). Go through the village and keep going for about 3 miles. The car park is on the left.
If you’re going down a steep hill with a great view, you’ve just missed the car park!
A long but mostly fairly flat walk, with one steep downhill and one steep uphill. Starting in the Pewsey Downs National Nature Reserve,
descending into the Vale of Pewsey to walk a section of the Kennet & Avon Canal, and finishing back on the Pewsey Downs with a white
horse and great views across the Vale of Pewsey.
Possible pub stop en route. As usual, bring sandwiches and a drink.
Possible lift available from Reading.
Leader: Neil 0118 975 1528 / 0793 225 8788 or nfrankum(at)hotmail.com
Saturday 24th July - Oakley and Wayfarer's Walk, 9½ miles, moderate
Start at 10:30am from the Beach Park car park, opposite the village hall in Station Road, Oakley
(SU570509), just off the B3400, west of
Basingstoke.
This walk follows a section of the Wayfarer's Walk between Deane and Dummer, then follows the course of a Roman road
toward Basingstoke and returns through East Oakley. There will be a picnic stop about halfway round and a pub-stop near the end of the walk.
There are some gentle hills on the route.
Leader: Rob 07786 116988
Sunday 25th July - The Thames: Henley to Hambleden Lock, 5½ miles (3 hrs), gentle with a gradual slope
See the 75th Anniversary Walk Programme for details.
Saturday 31st July - Wooburn to Littleworth Common, 8 miles, easy
Meet at the parish car park behind Wooburn church for a 10:30am start SU911878, this a public car park, parking is free. We will proceed towards Bourne end and Hedsor where we will pick up the Beeches way to Littleworth common and then on to Wooburn common where we will have our pub stop finishing back at Wooburn. Gently undulating tracks/farmland. Pub stop en-route, please bring packed lunches.
Leader: Alex 07544 985639
August 2010
Sunday 1st August - Ogbourne St George, Liddington Castle and Aldbourne, 16 miles, moderate-challenging
Meet for a 10am start by The Inn With The Well at Ogbourne St George,
SU202742, SN8 1SH.
Please park considerately nearby in the village.
The walks goes via a disused railway, a Bronze Age hill fort and an abandoned village.
Lunch at Liddington Castle and a pub stop at Aldbourne. Good views with some fair hills.
Leader: Anthony 07870 199750
Wednesday 4th August - Midgham, approx. 5½ miles, easy
Start 7:30pm at Midgham station (SU572667).
From Woolhampton (where Midgham Station is), we'll walk past the picturesque flooded gravel pits and follow the green lane up into Brimpton,
where, if it's open, we'll stop at The Three Horseshoes to slake out thirst. Leaving Brimpton behind us, we'll walk on to Little Park House
and follow the hill down to Brimpton Mill which straddles the River Kennet. A short section of country road takes us to the Kennet and Avon Canal,
along which we'll return to Woolhampton. The Rowbarge near Midgham Station would be a nice place to wait before catching your train...
There are regular trains to Midgham from both Reading and Newbury - see our transport page
for links to timetable information.
Leader: Lee 07780 683521
Saturday 7th August - Shiplake, 8½ miles, easy
Start at 11:10am from Shiplake station (SU776797).
If travelling via Reading station, you should aim to meet the leader at 10:20am on the main concourse and take the 10:33 train to Shiplake via
Twyford. The train arrives at Shiplake at 10:57am, and we shall set off 10 minutes later.
A circular walk from Lower Shiplake to Binfield Heath and Sonning, returning back to Lower Shiplake via the Thames Path.
We may get the chance to see some of the Shiplake Regatta which is on this weekend. Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
Leader: Rob B 07961 160903
Sunday 8th August - Leadership training
Are you interested in leading walks? Do you want to know how to read a map? Or use a compass? Do you want to brush up of your navigation skills?
If the answer is "yes" to any of the above questions, we might be able to help!
On Sunday 8th August, we will be holding a "Leadership Day", where you can come along, learn from established leaders in the group how to plan,
reccy and lead a walk. The day will include: map reading (from 1:25000, 1:50000 and guide book maps), the basics of using a compass,
how to find where you are (including dead-reckoning and using GPS), "methods" of leading walks, planning and pre-walking a walk.
Some of the day will be theory-based and there will be some practical work and a walk involved.
The day starts at 10:30am at
Mortimer Station (SU671639)
and will include a a lunch stop at the Calleva Arms
pub in Silchester before returning to Mortimer Station at around 4pm.
If you're interested in coming along to brush up on your skills, or are an established leader who can pass on and discuss some of your knowledge,
please get in touch with Lee by Thursday 5th August. If you came along to our previous leadership day and want to see if you can
apply your skills in a different area, get in touch and come along!
(See the Map Reading Evening on Thursday 5th)
Organiser: Lee 07780 683521 or chair(at)berkshirewalkers.com
Saturday 14th August - Wellington College, 5¼ miles (3 hrs), gentle
See the 75th Anniversary Walks Programme for details.
Sunday 15th August - Maidenhead to Twyford, 9 miles, easy
A walk aimed at under 35s
This walk is aimed at people who would prefer to walk with under 35s, but everyone is welcome to attend.
If you'd prefer to walk with a slightly older group, you may be interested in the nearby Henley and Wargrave walk on the same date.
Meet at 10:35am at Maidenhead railway station
(SU887807).
For car drivers, I suggest you leave your car at Twyford’s free village car park, which is next to the Duke of Wellington Pub
(SU786759).
Please make sure you give yourself around 15 minutes to walk to the train station, buy your ticket and catch the 10:24 train to Maidenhead.
This is a linear walk, which passes through Maidenhead Thicket, Bowsey Hill and Wargrave. There will be a pub stop along the way,
where we are aiming to meet the over 35s walkers. As usual, bring sandwiches and a drink.
Please note: the walk can be shortened to 6½ miles by taking the train back from Wargrave.
Leader: Jenny 07799 264Seven08
Sunday 15th August - Henley and Wargrave, 14 miles, challenging
A walk aimed at over 35s
This walk is aimed at people who would prefer to walk with over 35s, but everyone is welcome to attend.
If you'd prefer to walk with a younger crowd, you may be interested in the nearby Maidenhead to Twyford walk on the same date.
The walk will start from Henley railway station car park
(SU763822) at 10:30am prompt.
We shall cross Henley Bridge and follow the Thames Path past Hambleden Lock and Aston. We shall then leave the river to cut across country to
Wargrave where we shall have a pub stop, and may get the opportunity to catch up with the other group, depending on timings.
We shall then return to Henley.
NB - There is an option to cut this walk short at Wargrave (approx 9 miles) by catching the train back to Henley.
Check with National Rail Enquiries for details of the train service.
Leader: Jude 07585 234836
Wednesday 18th August - Thatcham, approx. 6 miles, moderate
Start 7pm at Thatcham Station (SU527663).
From Thatcham we'll walk up onto Bucklebury Common, and then on to Cold Ash, where apparently there is quite a nice pub.
We'll retrace our steps a little way, before coming back down the hill into Thatcham.
The Swan near Thatcham Station would be a nice place to wait before catching you train home...
There are regular trains to Thatcham from both Reading and Newbury - see our transport page
for links to timetable information.
Leader: Lee 07780 683521
Sunday 22nd August - Christmas Common, 9 miles, moderate
Joint walk with the Oxon 20s & 30s Walkers
Meet at the car park in Christmas Common (SU710935) for a 10:30am start. A circular walk through the surrounding woodland and farmland. A little hilly at times, but nothing too strenuous and a pub stop towards end of walk.
Leader: Dan 0776 1192509
Sunday 29th August - Dinton Pastures, 5 miles, easy
New members' walk
Meet at the Dinton Pastures Country Park car park at
SU784718, on the B3030 just north of the bridge
over the motorway, for a 11am start. Parking costs £1 for up to 4 hours, or £2 for a longer stay.
The car park is about 15 minutes' walk from Winnersh station.
An easy circular walk, ideal for new walkers interested in joining a group.
After walking through the country park, we follow the Loddon as far as Whistley Green and return via Hurst.
There will be a lunch stop on the way round and a pub stop in the second half of the walk. Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
Leader: Chris 07984 255322
Sunday 29th August - Ascot, Short: 4 miles (2 hrs), Long: 6½ miles (3 hrs) gentle
See the 75th Anniversary Walks Programme for details.
Monday 30th August - Mapledurham Delight, 14½ miles, challenging
Joint walk with the Oxon 20s & 30s Walkers
Meet at the long stay car park just south of the toll bridge on the B471
(SU636767) for a 10.30am start.
The meeting point is 10 minutes' walk from Pangbourne station. Payment for parking may be required; other parking options are available elsewhere
in Pangbourne.
An undulating and circular walk along the Thames river and valley, to the beautiful and famous village of Mapledurham.
Returning through the hilly woodland surrounding the river valley. An entrance fee for the waterwheel at Mapledurham is required.
Leader: Louise 07779 501802 / Andy 07787 840342
September 2010
Saturday 4th September - West Ilsley-Farnborough-Ridgeway, 13 miles, moderate
Park with care in West Ilsley village and meet by the gazebo and duck pond opposite the Harrow Inn at the north end of the village - at SU471825. The walk starts at 10am promptly due to the length. We start with some down land views and a mixture of well hidden footpaths and woodland taking us to the village of Farnborough where we pass The Old Rectory, the former home of poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman. We next head north to join for a short while the Ridgeway National Trail and experience some fine views. After passing the Lord Wantage monument we head south for a lunch stop in a remote but spectacular valley to a place called Lands End before returning to West Ilsley for a well deserved drink at the Harrow Inn.
Leader: Mike and Alison 01635 863831 or 07929 149636(Alison) or 07748 213647(Mike)
Sunday 5th September - Hook to Mortimer (linear walk), approx. 10½ miles, moderate
The walk will set out from Hook station (SU725539)
at 10:30am and walk through Hook, then follow paths up into Rotherwick. We'll follow the River Loddon for a way,
before crossing it and heading up into Stratfield Saye for a quick drinks stop at the pub.
From Stratfield Saye, we'll cross the Devil's Highway and follow the paths and country roads into Stratfield Mortimer.
There are hourly trains from Mortimer Station to Basingstoke and Reading, which (at the time of writing) cost less than £5 return.
There are regular trains from Basingstoke to Hook - have a look at our travel pages
for links to timetable web sites.
Leader: Lee 07780 683521
Friday 10th to Sunday 12th - Berkshire Walkers Walking Weekend
See the Berkshire Walkers Walking Weekend Website for details.
Sunday 12th September - Snelsmore Common, Short: 4 miles (3 hrs), Long: 6½ miles (3 hrs) gentle
See the 75th Anniversary Walk Programme for details.
Sunday 19th September - Windsor Great Park, 9 miles, moderate
Meet at the Air Force Memorial car park (SU995718)
for a 10:30am start.
A fairly flat circular walk, with points of interest including Virginia Water, the totem pole,
the Valley Gardens and the Copper Horse. There will be a pub stop towards the end of the walk. Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
Leader: Chris 07984 255322
Saturday 25th September - Puttenham and Crooksbury Commons, 9-10 miles, moderate
A walk through two Surrey heaths and the woods in between. The walk will start at 10:30am from the top car park at Puttenham Common
(SU920461).
From the A31 on the Hogsback, turn south onto the B3000. In about 400m turn right into Puttenham village.
In about 250m take a left turn towards Elstead. The car park is on the right in just over a mile.
Possible pub stop en route.
As usual, bring sandwiches and a drink.
Leader: Neil 0118 975 1528 / 0793 225 8788 or nfrankum(at)hotmail.com
Sunday 26th September - Marlow to Henley via the Chiltern Way, 18 miles, challenging
Meet at 11am at Marlow railway station
(SU855865). For car drivers,
I suggest you leave your car at Twyford’s free village car park which is next to the Duke of Wellington Pub
(SU786759).
Please make sure you give yourself around 15 minutes to walk to the station, buy your ticket and catch the 10:24 train to Maidenhead for a
connecting service to Marlow.
Please note – when buying your train ticket to Marlow, ask for a return,
explaining that you are coming back from Henley (they should stamp it "Thames Path"); it should be cheaper than two singles.
This is a linear walk passing through the lovely Chiltern rolling scenery, a deer park and Maidensgrove. We will get the train back from Henley.
There will be a pub stop along the way and a possibly a second one in Henley. As usual, bring sandwiches and a drink.
The walk is expected to finish around 7pm, just after sunset. However, it may overrun and finish in darkness, so you are advised to
bring a torch if you have one.
Leader: Robert 07708 699873
Sunday 26th September - Windsor, Short: 5 miles (3 hrs), Long: 8½ miles (5 hrs) gentle
See the 75th Anniversary Walks Programme for details.
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.