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 2017

Thursday Evening 3^rd August: 4½ Mile Walk - Monks Alley and Orange Hill (easy)

Meeting Point: The Jack 'O' Newbury pub, Terrace Road North, Binfield
Post Code: RG42 5PH, Lat/Long: N51.4392°, W0.7854°, OS Map: SU845718

Meet at the Jack 'O' Newbury pub (permission made to use their car park) on Terrace Road North, Binfield, for a 6:45pm start.

A pleasant evening stroll around the countryside of Binfield. Through green lanes, wide footpaths and tracks, bridleways and small fields. Take in village life, surrounding farms and variety of houses, cottages and lodges. There includes some fine views of the Chiltern Hills.

Paths are generally very good and well maintained with no nettles/brambles. One short area could be muddy if recent heavy rain, and there are a couple of V stiles. Dogs are permitted, though need to be on lead through one field. Optional pub stop at the end.

Suitable for new walkers and others to "bring a friend" along to the group.

Leaders: Ann and Kathy 07800 728 667 or 07794 406 438

Saturday 5^th August: 9 Mile Walk - Streatley and The Ridgeway (moderate)

Meeting Point: Car park at the end of Rectory Road, Streatley,
Post Code: RG8 9QE, Lat/Long: N51.5272°, W1.1842°, OS Map: SU566812

Meet at the car park adjacent to the Ridgeway, at the end of Rectory Road, which is a no through road off the A417, north of Streatley village. Car parking is limited so please car share if possible as there is no other car parking nearby.

This is a circular walk starting at 10:30am along the Ridgeway for part of the walk, a few hills, valleys and beautiful panoramic views. We will return to the car park and for those who want to, we can have a pub stop at the Catherine Wheel pub in Goring on Thames, which is on Station Road, RG8 9HB. There is a public car park next door, so people could always meet there to car share as an option. (Note that parking costs £2 for 5 hours on a Saturday.)

Please bring plenty to drink and a packed lunch as usual.

Leader: Jo S 07821 415 161

Saturday 12^th August: 12 Mile Walk - Basingstoke Canal and Upton Grey (moderate)

Meeting Point: Odiham Wharf Car Park, London Road, Odiham, Hampshire
Post Code: RG29 1DH, Lat/Long: N51.2598°, W0.9302°, OS Map: SU747517

Meet at the Odiham Wharf (free) car park at the end of London Road, Odiham (after the Waterwitch pub) for a 10:30am start.

The walk starts along the towpath of the Basingstoke canal. It then follows farm tracks and fields to the pretty villages of Greywell and Upton Grey. After lunch there will be a pub stop.

Bring packed lunch and waterproofs and sun cream.

Leaders: Mark 07949 633 477 and Julie 07762 825 121

Sunday 20^th August: 10 Mile Walk - Hambleden, Turville and Skirmett (moderate)

Meeting Point: Public car park by the Stag and Hunstman, Hambleden
Post Code: RG9 6RP, Lat/Long: N51.5727°, W0.8688°, OS Map: SU784865

Please meet for a 10:30am start at the (free) public car park by the Stag and Hunstman in Hambleden.

The walk heads through the village and over the road up through the woods towards Upper Woodend Farm, then up onto the Chiltern Way to reach Turville. Here there will be a pub stop at the Bull and Butcher, as well as views of the windmill and the 10th century church. We will then head out of the village, toward Skirmett (alternative pub stop) and then onto the trail that leads back to Hambleden.

Please bring plenty to drink and a packed lunch as usual.

Leader: Keith A. 07766 275 377

Sunday 27^th August: 5/10 Mile Walk - Holyport Figure-of-Eight (easy/moderate)

Meeting Point: War Memorial on Holyport Green, Nr Maidenhead and Windsor
Post Code: SL6 2JA, Lat/Long: N51.4925°, W0.7166°, OS Map: SU891778

This figure-of-eight walk is an opportunity for walkers to either do the full walk of 10 miles, or to join the group for the morning walk of 5½ miles or the walk in the afternoon of 4½ miles.

Starting at 10:30am, the first leg of the walk is 5½ miles around Holyport (an extremely picturesque village) and Fifield, over fields and through woods and farms. This part of the walk ends at Holyport Green where we will stop for lunch, and have a drink in the Belgian Arms in Holyport. We would expect to complete this part of the walk in no more than two hours, arriving back at Holyport at approximately 12:30-12:45pm.

If walkers want to join the group for the afternoon walk only, of 4½ miles, please meet the group at around 1pm on Holyport Green, where we will commence this second leg at approximately 1:15-1:30pm, through tranquil countryside, meadows and polo fields.

Please bring water and a packed lunch. Long trousers are advised as there are some nettles and lots of long grass.

Leaders: Ann and Kathy 07800 728 667 or 07794 406 438

September 2017

Friday 1^st September to Friday 8^th September: Walking Holiday in the Lake District

Grasmere is in the middle of the Lake District, offering both high and low level walks of various grades, exploring this beautiful area. Walk options right from the village include Helm Crag, Silver How, Sour Milk Gill and Easedale Tarn, Alcock Tarn, Grasmere and Rydal Water, or for the more adventurous, Seat Sandal and Grisedale Tarn. Options further afield could include Cat Bells, Grizedale Forest and Helvellyn. The walks range from moderate to challenging by BWW standards, but we will take our time so as to enjoy the scenery. You will need a reasonable level of fitness but you won't need to be an athlete!

Grasmere also offers a variety of other treats including the Wordsworth Museum and Dove Cottage, Allan Bank (National Trust), a number of places to eat out or drink, not forgetting its famous gingerbread.

We have booked two cottages in Grasmere for the first week in September (Friday 1st to Friday 8th). The two cottages are next door to each other. One has four rooms and one has three, providing 4 double rooms and 3 twin rooms in total.

Costs are £220 per room, plus a £50 kitty per person for breakfast, packed lunches and supper. We will be eating in most evening but we will go out for supper a couple of times - or more if people prefer. We will sort out a cooking and clearing up rota, taking into account people preferences for doing the cooking or not, and hopefully create a menu for everyone's taste. (If you went on the recent Cornwall holidays, this will be a familiar system.) There is also a parking charge of £30 per car per week, which we will split between us. We will organise car sharing to keep the cost down.

Please contact Julia to book your place on this holiday. A deposit of £62 per room will be required when booking your place and the remaining £158 per room by 1st July. (We will sort out the kitty and parking fees nearer the time.) Twin and double rooms will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't leave it too late. Alternatively, if you can't make the whole week, you could book a hotel or guest-house in Grasmere for the weekend and join us for the first few walks.

Update: All places have now been taken.

Please note that for insurance reasons this holiday is only open to members of the Ramblers and priority will be given to members of the Berkshire Weekend Walkers.

Organiser: Julia C 07804 797 071 or julia.coombes(at)virginmedia.com

(Please replace the (at) with an @ in the email address above.)

Saturday 2^nd September: 7 Mile Walk - Peasemore and Chaddleworth (moderate)

Meeting Point: Bus Stop and Village Pond, Field Road, Peasemore
Post Code: RG20 7JE, Lat/Long: N51.4934°, W1.3421°, OS Map: SU457773

Meet by the bus stop and village pond, Field Road, Peasemore, for a 10:30am start. Please park considerately along Field Road or near the church but not in the private loop road off Field Road or the narrow Hillgreen lane. Please car share if possible.

A circular walk heading west from Peasemore through rural West Berkshire downs with some particularly nice view points. We will head north of Leckhampstead over to the village of Chaddleworth before returning via a different more hilly route with extensive views as far south as Walbury Hill and Combe Gibbet. There will be a couple of short drink stops on the route but no longer lunch stop.

You are welcome, after changing out of boots, to have a drink or join us for lunch directly after the walk at The Fox at Peasemore, which is passed near the start of the walk. We are likely to complete the walk and be at the pub by 13:30. Whilst we cannot guarantee it, from past experience we do not think it is necessary to pre-book at the pub if you plan to eat. We will try and get a larger table for ourselves pre-booked though so there will all being well be some spaces for those of you that wish to eat at the pub.

Leaders: Mike and Alison 07938 843 660 or 07929 149 636

Sunday 17^th September: 14 Mile Walk - Watlington, Ewelme, Swyncombe Down (moderate)

Meeting Point: Car park in the centre of Watlington, Oxfordshire
Post Code: OX49 5AB, Lat/Long: N51.6443°, W1.003°, OS Map: SU690944

Please meet for a 10:30am start at the (free) public car park on Hill Road, Watlington very near to the centre of town.

The walk heads through town and adjacent fields before picking up Shakespeare's Way to meander up through woods to Cookley Green. It is then downhill, passing through Colliers Bottom and Cow Common to reach the delightful village of Ewelme. There is quite a lot to see here - pond, roadside stream, church with Jerome K Jerome grave, almshouses and the watercress beds nature reserve - so we will spend a bit of time looking around as well as having lunch and a pub stop. On the way back, our route takes us up Swyncombe Down before following The Ridgeway back to our start point.

Please bring plenty to drink and a packed lunch.

Leaders: Sue J and Colin R 07931 291 552 or 07738 911 507

October 2017

Sunday 29^th October: 10 Mile Walk - Frilsham and Bucklebury (moderate)
- joint walk with the Pang Valley Ramblers

Meeting Point: Car park behind the Pot Kiln pub, Frilsham, nr Yattendon
Post Code: RG18 0XX, Lat/Long: N51.4542°, W1.2062°, OS Map: SU552731

The Pang Valley Ramblers have invited us to join them for a 10 mile walk. Meet in the car park behind the Pot Kiln pub, Frilsham, for a 10am start.

A walk crossing the River Pang twice along two different traverses with long gentle climbs. Outward through Bucklebury and returning via Frilsham. Refresh afterwards with a pint of West Berks Brewery's real ale.

Please bring a packed lunch and drinking water as usual.

Leader: Peter W. (Pang Valley) 01189 841 600

March 2018

Saturday 24^th March to Saturday 31^st March: Walking Holiday in South Cornwall

Join us for a week away in South Cornwall on the beautiful Roseland Peninsular, which is an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and recognised for the quality of its landscape and coastal scenery.

A lovely six bedroom house has been reserved in the heart of the pretty fishing village of Portscatho – please see http://www.classic.co.uk/holiday-cottage/desc-3135.html for more details. The house is located near the beach and just off the main village square where a pub, bakery/convenience store and butchers can be found. There are four double rooms and two twin rooms and all of them are ensuite. The exact price for the week and confirmation of the reservation will be confirmed in July, after which deposits will need to be paid. It looks as if each room will be in the region of £230 for the week (i.e. £115 per person sharing). In addition to the cost of the accommodation, £50 per person towards a food kitty should more than cover the cost of provisions for breakfast, packed lunches and five or six of the evening meals that we'll cook together in the house.

Following the same pattern as previous BWW weeks away in North and West Cornwall, there will be four days of organised walking, leaving two days free to explore more of the local area by yourself. Places to visit include Truro, St Mawes Castle, the 13th century church at St Just in Roseland, Caerhays Castle and Gardens, the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Trelissick.

Rooms will be booked on a first come, first served basis. Please email Sue if you would like to join us.

Update: All places have now been taken.

Please note that for insurance reasons this holiday is only open to members of the Ramblers and priority will be given to members of the Berkshire Weekend Walkers.

Organiser: Sue B 07899 916 748 or seblack.viola(at)gmail.com

(Please replace the (at) with an @ in the email address above.)

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.