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.
Sat Nav references are given as a post code if there is one for the car park or as
Lat/Long co-ordinates if not.
Ordnance Survey map references also have a link to StreetMap where the map can be
zoomed in and out.
A combined programme of the walks and social events is available on our downloads page.
The Ramblers Association website has a Walk Finder Page were you can find other walks in your area.
Months: February , March , April , May
February 2012
Sunday 5th February - Wittenham Clumps & Dorchester, 7 miles, moderate
Sat Nav: Lat/Long N51.627214°, W1.181759° (no suitable post code available) OS Map: SU567924
Meet at the Wittenham Clumps car park for 10:30am start. The car park is free at the time of writing.
We will pass through Little Wittenham Wood, then along to cross the Thames at the picturesque Shillingford Bridge.
The walk will then go along the side of the Thames to the historic Roman town of Dorchester. There will a chance to see Dorchester Abbey founded in 1140 AD.
We shall then head back to the start by taking in the panoramic view at the top of Wittenham Clumps. Please note this walk may be muddy in places.
Please also bring a packed lunch and a drink.
Leader: Mike O791O 372 297
Saturday 11th February - Peppard Common, 12-13 miles, moderate
Sat Nav: Lat/Long N51.526225°, W0.986432° (no exact post code available) OS Map: SU704813
This walk is accessible by public transport. The walk will start at 10:40am from the Peppard Post Office bus stop at the junction of Stoke Row Road and
Gallowstree Road in Peppard Common. I intend to get there by bus.
Meet at 10:00am ready to catch the 10:10am number 2 bus from stop EL at Reading Station to Peppard Common.
Come out of the station main doors, turn left and go past the Railair coach stop, and stop EL is in Forbury Road adjacent to Apex Plaza.
Bring exact money as the bus does not give change. (Fare is £5 return at the time of writing).
See www.reading-buses.co.uk for information.
Please note - There is limited parking at the start. If driving, please park considerately in nearby streets, or consider joining us on the bus from Reading.
Possible pub stop en-route. As usual, bring sandwiches and a drink.
If the bus timetables change between now and then, the start time will be adjusted to suit.
Leader: Neil nfrankum(at)hotmail.com Tel: O118 975 1528 / O793 225 8788
Sunday 12th February - Finchampstead Ridges & Horseshoe Lake, 8½ miles, moderate
Sat Nav: RG45 6AE or Lat/Long N51.365199°, W0.832873° or OS Map: SU813635
Meet at Simons Wood NT car park at 10:30am. Car park is half-way up Wellingtonia Avenue on the right.
Public transport option available (Crowthorne station is < 1 km from starting point).
A walk down to, and around, Horseshoe Lake and along the Blackwater to Finchampstead for a lunch stop and a separate pub stop.
Continuing towards Eversley via Finchampstead Church to complete a figure-of-eight, hence there is an option to finish early (5½ miles) if you want.
Banana stops as required. Bring a packed lunch and something to drink.
Leader: Jim O7734 569 216
Sunday 19th February - Woodcote, Stoke Row and Chekendon, 8 miles, moderate
Sat Nav: RG8 0SD or Lat/Long N51.533919°, W1.070963° or OS Map: SU645820
Start at 10:30am from the public car park beside Woodcote Village Hall, 100 yards short of the crossroads with the B47.
We will the head towards Stoke Row through fields and woodland. Continuing into the parish of Checkendon and then returning to Woodcote with fine views of the
peaceful Chiltern Coombe around Bottom Farm. There will be a pub stop en-route. Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
Leader: Alex O7544 985 639
Saturday 25th February - Caversham to Calcot via Pangbourne, 14 or 9 miles, moderate
Sat Nav: RG4 8RD or Lat/Long N51.481993°, W0.969901° or OS Map: SU716764
This walk is accessible by public transport. Meet at 10:15am ready to catch the 10:25am number 24 bus from stop EL at Reading Station.
Come out the station main doors, turn left and go past the railair coach stop, and stop EL is in Forbury Road adjacent to Apex Plaza.
Get off at the St. Barnabas Church stop (SU715764), which is where the walk will start at 10:45am.
We will walk to Pangbourne, where there is the possibility of a pub stop and the option to wimp out and catch a train back to Reading.
We will then continue down the Pang Valley to finish at Savacentre in Calcot, from where we can catch one of the regular buses back into Reading.
As usual, bring sandwiches and a drink. Bring coins as the bus does not give change.
(At the time of writing the fare is £1.80 for each trip or £4 for an all-day ticket in the Reading area).
See www.reading-buses.co.uk for information.
Pangbourne to Reading train fare is £3-10 (£2-05 with railcard). If the bus timetables change between now and then, the start time will be adjusted to suit.
Leader: Neil nfrankum(at)hotmail.com Tel: O118 975 1528 / O793 225 8788
Sunday 26th February - Rotherfield Peppard, 5½ miles, easy
Sat Nav: RG9 5JX or Lat/Long N51.531110°, W0.978568° or OS Map: SU709818
Please meet us in the common in Rotherfield Peppard for a 11am start.
This circular walk takes us through the surrounding fields of the village over potentially muddy footpaths and woodland.
Although graded easy, there is one quite steep incline to contend with towards the end of the walk.
As this is quite a short walk this could an ideal one if you have never walked with us before and looking to "try us out". If this the case,
you are more than welcome to join us, please make sure you have a picnic lunch and some water with you and just turn up at least 15 minutes prior to departure time.
Mud is likely to be encountered so please dress accordingly and wear suitable footwear. Possible pub stop at end of the walk.
Leader: Dan O7761 192 509
March 2012
Sunday 4th March - Newbury, Hamstead Marshall and Marsh Benham, 10 miles, moderate
Sat Nav: RG14 1BN or Lat/Long N51.402338°, W1.328600° or OS Map: SU468672
Start at 10:30am at the car park in Northcroft Lane, Newbury. At the time of writing this car park is free on Sundays.
This is a walk through the gentle countryside to the southwest of Newbury.
There will be a picnic stop at Marsh Benham by the lock, and also a stop at one of the pubs along the route.
Leader: Neil S 07840 903 547
Saturday 10th March - Hook, Greywell and North Warnborough, 8 miles, moderate
Sat Nav: RG27 9HS or Lat/Long N51.280083°, W0.961204° or OS Map: SU725539
This walk starts from Hook Railway Station car park at 10:40am. (Trains from Reading, via Basigstoke, arrive at 10:31).
There is a £2 charge for parking at Hook station.
The walk passes through Hook toward Newnham, then through Greywell and along the Basingstoke Canal through North Warnborough,
and finally back to Hook via Bartley Heath. There will be a picnic stop in North Warnborough and a pub stop at the end. Bring a packed lunch.
The walk has some slight hills, and the pace will be moderate.
Leader: Rob O7786 116 988
Sunday 11th March - Across the mighty Pang, twice!, 11 miles, moderate
Sat Nav: Lat/Long N51.418641°, W1.201105° (no suitable post code) or OS Map: SU556691
Starting from the car park on Bucklebury Common at 10:30am (this is the car park nearest the cross-roads), we will set out through the common and down to
Bucklebury, where we will cross the mighty Pang for the first time. Our walk than takes us along field paths to Frilsham and beyond to Yattendon.
We may call at the West Berkshire Brewery's new home to have a quick nosey around whilst heading south to Standford Dingley. After crossing the mighty Pang
for a second time, there is a climb up the hill to Chapel Row and a walk across the remainder of Bucklebury Common back to the car park.
There will be a pub stop in at least one of the establishments that we pass en route, but please bring a packed lunch, a drink and adequate clothing for the weather.
At the time of writing, the start of the walk is on the 101 (Newbury) bus route from Theale - have a look at the
BWs transport page for links to public transport sites; alternatively why not try our
car share scheme and save petrol, money and car park spaces.
Leader: Lee O778O 683 521
Saturday 17th March - Cadmore End, Fingest, Turville and Ibstone, 9 miles, moderate
Sat Nav: Lat/Long N51.627207°, W0.868059° (no suitable post code) or OS Map: SU784926
Start at 10:30am from Cadmore End Church. We will head along the B482 and then turn right by the Cadmore End School into a cul-de-sac to Cadmore End Church. Cars can be parked at various points along this road. We will head through woodland and fields to Cadmore End Common and onto Fingest and Turville. We will head towards Ibstone and return to Cadmore End. Fine views, some steep climbs. Pub stop en-route. Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
Leader: Alex O7544 985 639
Sunday 18th March - Woolhampton, 13½ miles, challenging
Sat Nav: RG7 5SE or Lat/Long N51.395996°, W1.177064° or OS Map: SU573666
Meet at Midgham railway station in Woolhampton for a 10:15am start. At the time of writing, the 09:44 service from Reading is due arrive at 10:01, but please check nearer the time if you are planning to arrive by train. A circular walk covering the area to the north of Woolhampton, passing Rushall Farm before stopping for drink at the Pot Kiln pub near Yattendon. The return route includes the east edge of Bucklebury Common and Chapel Row. Please bring a packed lunch.
Leader: Chris O7984 255 322
Sunday 25th March - East Ilsley, 8 miles, moderate
Sat Nav: RG20 7LH or Lat/Long N51.527113°, W1.290023° or OS Map: SU493811
The walk starts at 10:30am in the village of East Ilsley (SU493811). We will then walk along the lovely Ridgeway and back to the village.
Directions to the start point: from the M4, take the A34 heading north towards Oxford until you come across the junction signposted for East & West Ilsley.
Leave the A34 at that junction and follow the signs towards East Ilsley. Please bring a packed lunch and drink as usual.
Leader: Greg O778O 945 591
April 2012
Saturday 14th April - Wimbledon Park to Richmond Bridge, 7 miles, moderate
Wimbledon Park Tube Station, Arthur Road, Wimbledon, SW19 8AA or OS Map: TQ252721
Meet at Wimbledon Park Tube Station (District Line) at 10:45am for an 11:00am start.
A linear walk forming part of the London 'Capital Ring',
starting at Wimbledon Park and ending at Richmond Bridge; the terrain is moderate-challenging with several steep ascents. The route promises glorious scenery
passing the lake at Wimbledon Common, up to Putney Heath and through the golf course onto the Beverley Brook Walk and over the A3 into Richmond Park.
We join the Tamsin Trail, which is populated with red and fallow deer and then up to the Pen Ponds, which are famous for the large number of water birds.
After passing by the King Henry VIII Mound, we then meander down through Petersham Park, enjoying a view of the church and village before joining onto the
Thames Path National Trail and along the South Bank, with a lovely riverside view, into Richmond. Bring a packed lunch & refreshments as usual.
After the walk there is a drink and meal at the Slug and Lettuce. See our social events page for details.
Leader: Michelle O79five8 O73 265
Sunday 15th April - Pangbourne, Upper & Lower Basildon, 10½ miles, moderate
Sat Nav: RG8 7AN or Lat/Long N51.484070°, W1.088337° or OS Map: SU634765
Meet at the Car Park in the centre of Pangbourne, opposite the Bentley garage/next to the Village Hall to start the walk promptly at 10:30am.
There are public toilets in this car park and at the time of writing there is no charge for this car park on Sundays, but please do check on the day.
We shall head out of Pangbourne along the River Pang to Tidmarsh, and on to Upper and Lower Basildon, returning to Pangbourne along the Thames.
There will be a pub stop at the end of the walk. Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
Leader: Jude O7585 234 836
Saturday 21st April - Berks / Oxon. Downs, 10 miles, moderate
To Be Confirmed
Leader: Graham
Sunday 22nd April - Holyport, 6 miles, moderate
Sat Nav: SL6 2JL or Lat/Long N51.491808°, W0.716051° or OS Map: SU892777
Meet at 11:00am at the Holyport memorial. Parking is available at various points around the village.
We will walk around Holyport through farmland and quiet country lanes. The walk is mainly over level terrain and may be muddy in places.
There will be a pub stop en-route. Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
Leader: Alex O7544 985 639
Saturday 28th April - Winchester, 10½ miles, moderate
Sat Nav: SO23 8TJ or Lat/Long N51.066904°, W1.319918° or OS Map: SU477299
Meet outside Winchester Train Station at 10:30am. (Trains currently arrive from Reading at 10:24am.
Check www.nationalrail.co.uk for updates).
This walk begins in the historical city of Winchester and then carries on out along the River Itchen to St Catherines Hill, an iron-age hillfort,
from where there are good views of the city. From there we will cross some typical Hampshire downland before descending to a section of ancient watermeadows
and returning to the town of Winchester. Bring usual packed lunch and drink. There will be a pub stop at the end.
Leader: Helen and Richard O7742 592 933
May 2012
Sunday 6th May - Caversham Heights and Beyond, 9 miles, moderate
Sat Nav: or Lat/Long N51.477163°, W0.986210° or OS Map: SU705758
Meet us at Albert Road Recreation Park (SU705758) for 10:30am start. Parking is limited in the park but there is good availabilty on surrounding roads. This circular walk takes us through Hemdean Bottom and over the county boundary into Oxfordshire and into the fields just south of Kidmore End before we head to the village of Chalkhouse Green. We head back walking through Caversham Park and then possibly stop for some refreshments and a short break by the pond in Emmer Green. We cross Balmore Park on final leg of walk where we are greeted by good views of the urban sprawl that is Reading. Please note that the last 3 miles of the walk are mostly on hard concrete surfaces so you may wish to bring alternative footwear on the walk if you find walking in your boots on tarmac tough during this bit. Other stretches of walk could be muddy. Possible pub stop towards the end. Simple directions to get back to start of the walk can be provided if you wish to opt out of pub stop. Please bring picnic lunch and water as usual.
Leader: Dan O7761 192 5O9
Saturday 12th May - Fleet Pond, Pyestock Hill and Tweseldown, 7 miles, easy
Sat Nav: GU51 3QY or Lat/Long N51.290540°, W0.830464° or OS Map: SU816552
Start at Fleet Railway Station (south car park) at 10:45am. (Trains from Reading get in at 10:40am.)
There is a good sized car park at the station and parking is £2 for the day.
This walk skirts Fleet pond, follows the stream down to the Basingstoke Canal at Pyestock Hill, and passes Tweseldown race course before returning through
woodland and past the other side of the pond. There will be a picnic stop half way round and a pub stop shortly after that. Bring a packed lunch.
This is an easy walk, with no hills but may be muddy in places.
Leader: Rob O7786 116988
Sunday 13th May - Pewsey and the Kennet and Avon, 12 miles, moderate
Sat Nav: Lat/Long N51.378809°, W1.737733° (no suitable post code) OS Map: SU183644
Starting from the car park (SU183644) at 10:30am we head east along the line of hills before turning south to Wotton Rivers and picking up the Kennet and
Avon canal. We follow the canal towpath, deviating only to call for refreshments in Pewsey, until we turn north and climb up Draycott Hill.
The path along the edge of the hills then takes us back to the car park. As usual, please bring a packed lunch, a drink and adequate clothing for the weather.
The start is some distance from our normal stomping ground, so this would be an ideal opportunity to use our
car share scheme to save petrol, money and space in the car park.
Leader: Lee O778O 683 521
Saturday 26th May - Shalford 14 or 9 miles, moderate
Shalford Railway Station, Kings Road, Shalford, Surrey, GU4 8JZ, OS Map: TQ001470
This walk is accessible by public transport. Catch the 10:04am train from Reading Station, and get off at Shalford. Fares £8.30 return (£5.50 with railcard)
at time of writing. (See www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk)
The walk will start at 11:00am from Shalford Railway Station. Parking available at Shalford Station (probably pay and display).
The walk will include the River Wey, Blackheath, and St. Martha’s church. Possible pub stop en-route. As usual, bring sandwiches and a drink.
For anyone wanting to wimp out, there is the option to cut the walk short after about 9 miles by catching a bus back to Shalford (bus every 30 minutes,
about 10 minute journey. Not sure of fare.
See www.arrivabus.co.uk)
Note: the train and start times detailed above are subject to change following the publication of the summer train timetable.
Check before the walk to confirm details.
Leader: Neil nfrankum(at)hotmail.com Tel: O1189 751 528 / O7932 258 788
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.