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Programme of Walks and Events

Please note that the Berkshire Weekend Walkers programme may have been updated since this web page was printed. Please check the website for updates.

If you cannot check the website before attending a walk or social event, please contact the walk leader or social event organiser to check for any changes in the details.

Walks Our walks are mostly planned and led by volunteers from within our group, but we also have joint walks with our neighbouring Ramblers groups. The walks are open to all members of the Ramblers and to anyone interested in joining our group.

Social Events Our social events are mostly organised by volunteers from within the group and are open to members of the Berkshire Weekend Walkers and to anyone considering joining the group.

Holidays Our walking holidays are mostly planned and led by volunteers from within our group, but we sometimes use Ramblers approved holiday companies. The holidays led by our group are open to members of other Ramblers groups, but where numbers are limited, priority will be given to members of our own group. (Obviously the holidays run by holiday companies are open to anyone.)

Note: The Ramblers website has a Walk Finder Page where you can find other walks in your area.

Sat Nav references are given as a post code and as Latitude/Longitude co-ordinates. Ordnance Survey Landranger map references for the start point of walks are also provided for the more traditional map reader.

Please be aware that post codes in the countryside may cover a large area and your Sat Nav device will assume the centre of that area, which may not be where we are! It is much more accurate to put Lat/Long co-ordinates into your Sat Nav if you can. (Most of them can accept Lat/Long input. Have a look in the manual.)

Our group has been walking since July 2012 and we've been to all sorts of places in and around Berkshire. Take a look at our Scrapbook pages to see where we've been so far.

August 2018

Saturday 4th August: 10½ Mile Walk - Crondall and Doras Green, Figure-of-8 (moderate)

Meeting Point: Outside All Saints Church, Croft Lane, Crondall (nr. Fleet/Farnham)
Post Code: GU10 5QR, Lat/Long: N51.2306°, W0.8635°, OS Map: SU794485

This is really two walks, in a figure of 8 pattern, giving a choice of a long or shorter walk.

Part 1 starts at 10:30am from outside the church in Crondall, heading to Montgomery's farm and Swanthorpe farm with great views. Part 2 leads us through the golf course, and across woodland to Doras green and Wimble Hill.

Pub-stop half way round (TBA due times of opening). Bring a packed lunch, water, strong shoes/boots and waterproofs.

Leader: Mark B. 07949 633 477

Sunday 12th August: 6 Mile Walk - Aldermaston Wharf, Padworth Lock and Mill (easy)

Meeting Point: Aldermaston Station
Post Code: RG7 4SF, Lat/Long: N51.4018°, W1.1373°, OS Map: SU601673

Meet for a 10:30am at Aldermaston railway station.

This is a circular walk and especially rewarding in the summertime, through wild-flower filled meadows; a typical stretch of peaceful Kennet Valley scenery, including Aldermaston Wharf, now a thriving centre of narrow-boat cruising.

Please note at the start of the walk we walk over a narrow lock gate with only one low hand rail. We will take this slowly and carefully and only walk over one at a time.

At the end of the walk we can stop at the café / visitor centre at Aldermaston Wharf. Please bring packed lunch and a drink.

New and prospective members are welcome to come and find out what we're about.

Leaders: Jane 07881 805 156 and Alexis 07973 327 286

Saturday 18th August: 8½ Mile Walk - Eversley, Bramshill Forest and Hazeley Heath (moderate)

Meeting Point: Car park at St Marys Church, Eversley
Post Code: RG27 0PX, Lat/Long: N51.3424°, W0.8811°, OS Map: SU780609

Meet at the car park outside St Mary's Church, Eversley, for a 10:30am start.

Walking through tracks and Fox ride to Bramshill Forest and Hazeley Heath and Police college. Pub-stop half way round at The Shoulder of Mutton.

Bring packed lunch, water, strong shoes/boots and waterproofs.

Leader: Julie B. 07762 825 121

Saturday 25th August: 5-6 Mile Walk - Find Your Own Way Walks! (easy)
- joint mystery walk with the Berkshire Walkers 20s and 30s group

Meeting Point: Aldermaston Station
Post Code: RG7 4SF, Lat/Long: N51.4018°, W1.1373°, OS Map: SU601673

Meet at Aldermaston station for a 10:45am start. If you are coming from Reading, take the 10:12am departure which will arrive at Aldermaston station at 10:25am. If you are coming from Newbury, take the 10:16am departure which will arrive at Aldermaston at 10:31am. If either train is late, the start of the walk will be too. Parking is available at the station (charges will apply). There is parking available in nearby side streets but will be about a 5-10 minute walk away.

This will be a walk with a difference! You will be the walk leader!

There will be a choice of 6 walks all starting from Aldermaston Station and ending at the same location (which isn't the station, but a location not far away) and you will be using the OS Map 159 to guide your way. You will split into small groups, and each group will be provided with a list of 6-figure grid references. Then, in your groups, you will guide your way around by locating each grid reference point.

A basic knowledge of grid references and map reading will be an advantage but I will be giving a briefing before the walks for anyone who isn't sure. If you have an OS Map 159 (1:25,000 scale) please bring it along. The more maps we have the better. Also please bring along a compass too, if you have one, as this will help with reading the grid references.

This is an easy walk with minimal hills. The footpaths may be a bit muddy so please wear suitable footwear. Please bring a packed lunch and something to drink.

Leader/Organiser: Jason

Monday 27th August: 7½ Mile Walk - Sandhurst and River Blackwater (moderate)

Meeting Point: Sandhurst Memorial Park, Yorktown Road, Sandhurst
Post Code: GU47 9BJ, Lat/Long: N51.3449°, W0.7927°, OS Map: SU841613

The walk is about 7.5 miles starting from Sandhurst Memorial Park (GU47 9BJ) where there is free parking, a café and toilets. Meet at the usual time of 10:30am.

The walk follows the River Blackwater through Swan Lake Park to Horseshoe Lake, then to Ambarrow Court and through the Edgebarrow and Wildmoor nature reserves back to Sandhurst.

No pubs on the route but optional refreshments afterwards at the café. If it is sunny we should see dragonflies on this walk. Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water as usual.

Leader: Denise 07748 766 371

September 2018

Sunday 2nd September: 11 Mile Walk - The Ridgeway, Compton and Aldworth (moderate)

Meeting Point: Car park on the Ridgeway near Warren Farm, Rectory Road, Streatley
Post Code: RG8 9QE, Lat/Long: N51.5273°, W1.1843°, OS Map: SU566812

Meet at the car park on the Ridgeway near Warren Farm for a 10:30 a.m. start.

A moderate 11 mile walk covering a short section of the Ridgeway, then down through Compton and looping south and round back up to stop at the incomparable Bell Inn pub at Aldworth for liquid refreshment. The walk then continues north to re-gain the car-park on the Ridgeway. A section of road walking on a quiet lane is required but otherwise varied terrain with two possible church visits and other historic features on route.

Please a packed lunch and drink, as usual.

A lift is available from South Reading at approx 9:30 a.m. (Please contact the leader.)

Leader: Keith A. 07766 275 377

Sunday 9th September: 6½ Mile Walk - Hannington & N Wessex Downs (moderate)
- Joint walk with the Pang Valley Ramblers

Meeting Point: Free car park on White Hill, B3051, south of Kingsclere
Post Code: RG26 5UD, Lat/Long: N51.3054°, W1.2611°, OS Map: SU516565

Meet for a 10:30am start at the White Hill car park, south of Kingsclere on the B3051. Park in the White Hill Car Park or in the layby on the RHS of the road.

This is a beautiful walk, with wonderful views over Berkshire and Hampshire. The paths are generally good and the walk is undulating including 3 ascents which total 470 feet.

We will be having lunch at the Vine Public House in Hannington after the walk. If you would like to join us please e-mail: chairman@pvramblers.org.uk so that we can reserve a table.

Leaders: Pauline and Alistair L.

Saturday 15th September: A Day of Punting and Pubbing in Oxford
- joint social event with the Berkshire Walkers 20s and 30s group

Meeting Point: Main entrance of Oxford Railway Station, Oxford
Post Code: OX1 1HS, Lat/Long: N51.7535°, W1.2696°

Join us for a day out in Oxford, including punting in the morning, followed by lunch and a pub crawl in the afternoon. Feel free to come for as much or as little of the day as you like, but please let the organiser know in advance if you are planning to arrive later in the day so we can arrange to meet you. There are plenty of museums, colleges and other attractions to visit if the weather is bad or you would prefer to do something else for part of the day.

Meet at 10:15am the main entrance to Oxford railway station. Those travelling from Reading should take the 0945 train, which is due into Oxford at 1010.

From there, it is around 35-40 minutes' walk to the Cherwell Boathouse to the north of the city centre, where you will have the chance to try your hand at punting, or just come along for the ride. The cost will be around £4-5 per person per hour depending on the number of people in a punt, and there is no need to book in advance. You can find more information about the boathouse, including a short video on how to punt, at http://cherwellboathouse.co.uk/punting/. Please wear sensible shoes, and bring snacks and/or drinks if you think you will need them!

For lunch, we will probably head to the Rose and Crown (OX2 6LX) at around 1-1.30pm, and either eat there or somewhere nearby depending on space and the preferences of the group. If you would like to meet us there, or later in the day, please contact the organiser, preferably in advance, so that we can update you on our progress. We will visit a few more pubs in the afternoon, and will probably stop somewhere for food in the evening if we are still going by then.

Organiser: Chris F. 07984 255 322

Sunday 16th September: Walk - Whiteknights Tree Walk and the Harris Garden (easy)
- Optional Indian meal after the Walk

Meeting Point: Shinfield Road entrance of Reading University
Post Code: RG2 7BW, Lat/Long: N51.4417°, W0.9532°, OS Map: SU728719

Reading University's Whiteknights Tree Walk and The Harris Garden followed by optional social (at 2pm) at the Sizzling Spice Indian Restaurant.

Start 10:30am. Meet at the Shinfield Road entrance of Reading University, leading onto Queens Drive. Parking available in surrounding roads, or there are many buses (No's 3, 9, 10, 21 and 981) that stop at Christchurch Green.

This is a circular walk taking in many unusual, old and beautiful trees which can be found throughout the Whiteknights campus. This walk will discover 25 of the best trees, within the campus which covers 123 hectares including Whiteknights lake, meadow and woodlands. Please ensure you download and bring with you the Whitenights Tree Walk Brochure, which details the walk with all the tree descriptions.

We will also spend an hour in The Harris Garden, a small botanic garden within Reading University campus. Please download and bring with you the Harris Garden Visitors Guide, which contains a map.

Please bring drinks and light snacks with you.

At the end of the walk there is an optional social at Sizzling Spice Indian Restaurant, 62 Christchurch Road, Reading, RG2 7AZ. Please book in advance, and feel free to join us, even if you can't make the walk. The table is booked for 14:00 for the eat as much as you like buffet at £9.95 per person. Please contact Jane (janekendrick@btinternet.com) by Sunday 9th September if you wish to join us.

New and prospective members are welcome to come and find out what we're about.

Leaders: Colin 0773 8911507 / Sue J 07931 291552 / Jane 07881 805 156

October 2018

Sunday 7th October: 8¼ Mile Walk - Goring on Thames (moderate)
- Joint walk with the Pang Valley Ramblers

Meeting Point: Car park behind The Catherine Wheel, Station Rd in Goring
Post Code: RG8 9AT, Lat/Long: N51.5218°, W1.1371°, OS Map: SU599806

Park in car park behind The Catherine Wheel, Station Road in Goring (free on Sundays).

Starting at 10:30am the walk leaves Goring to walk through the attractive woodland of Great Chalk Wood, passing Stapnalls Farm, Coombe End Farm and Beech Farm, returning along the Thames Path to Goring. Beautiful views, some steep hills.

Please bring a packed lunch and drink as usual.

Leader: Diane L.

December 2018

Sunday 2nd December: 8½ Mile Walk - Whitechurch Hill & Goring Heath (moderate)
- Joint walk with the Pang Valley Ramblers

Meeting Point: Car park at Pangbourne Village Hall, Station Road, Pangbourne
Post Code: RG8 7AN, Lat/Long: N51.4842°, W1.0883°, OS Map: SU634765

Starting at Pangbourne village hall at 10:30am, after (not before) the arrival of the 10:22 train from Reading.

Over the toll bridge and east to Hardwick Hall. Then via Collin's End to the Alnott Almshouses, Path Hill, Coombe End farm, and the Hartslock Overlook. Return via the Thames Path to Pangbourne.

Bring a packed lunch and something to drink as usual.

Leader: Peter W

Updates to Details

Please note that walks, social events and holidays may be added to this programme at any time. Also we occasionally have to make changes to an item that is already on the programme. If you have printed out this programme, please be aware that it may have changed since you printed it.

If you are unable to check the website before attending a walk, it would be wise to call the walk leader/event organiser to confirm that the details haven't changed.

If you wish to reproduce any of the events from this programme in a local paper, magazine or elsewhere on the Internet, please contact us. Your reproduction could become incorrect and misleading if we update the programme and were not able to alert you of the changes. Also we would like to extend the courtesy of informing our leaders that their walk has been more widely publicised, so that they may expect more attendees than usual.

Please remember that our social events are organised by volunteers, so your co-operation is greatly appreciated. For some events the organisers need to know in advance who is going so they can make the necessary bookings etc. If you wish to attend a social event that specifies a deadline then please contact the organiser before the deadline otherwise you will be putting them to extra trouble and it may not be possible to change the booking anyway.

If there are still some spare places on an event after the specified deadline has passed, a bulletin will be sent out, otherwise you must assume you are too late. (Please don't try to sneak in by contacting the venue and changing the booking without the organisers consent!)

Also, if you are booked on an event and then find you are unable to make it after all, please let the organiser know so that they don't wait around for you, and as they may be able to offer the place to someone else.

Thank you very much for your co-operation.