Our Programme of Walks and Events

Meeting Point: Car park by St Mary's Church in Eversley
Post Code: RG27 0PX, Lat/Long: N51.3422°, W0.8815°, OS Map: SU780609

Meet for a 10:30 start at the car park opposite St Mary's Church, Eversley. This is signposted (for Eversley Church and Eversley Barn Antiques) from the A327. This unsurfaced car park has plenty of space but please park at the far end, away from the church, to leave room for the church users as there may be a Sunday morning service.

The terrain is flat but uneven in places and some parts may be muddy after rain.

The first part of the walk is on forest tracks through Warren Heath and Bramshill Forest including ponds and lakes where we may see dragonflies if it is sunny. A picnic lunch will be at one of the lakes. The second part of the walk follows the Blackwater Valley path, much of it by the river. There will be a pub stop at the White Hart in Eversley before the final mile of the walk back to the church and car park.

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

Leader: Denise 07748 766 371

Meeting Point: Small car park by the Wayfarers way - see detailed guidance
Post Code: RG17 9EH, Lat/Long: N51.352068°, W1.455658°, OS Map: SU380615

Meet for a 10:30am start at the small car park East of Walbury Hill - the most easterly of the two car parks.

Directions

From the A4 travelling from Newbury towards Hungerford turn left to Kintbury. Cross the level crossing, then canal, and continue until you see The Corner Stores and post box, then turn left up Inkpen Road. Continue towards Inkpen bearing sharp right (Blandys Lane), over at the next crossroads and then bear right signed to the Crown and Garter pub. Enter Inkpen and pass the pub on the left and turn immediately left signed to Combe and Faccombe along a narrow lane. At the T-junction turn left towards Combe. Ignore the road on the left to West Woodhay and reaching a sharp right hand bend turn left up a steep hill. The car park (unmarked) is at the top on the right.

The walk

The walk consists of a mixture of field, downland and woodland paths, some quiet roads, Combe Gibbet and a stretch of the Wayfarer's Walk that passes next to the highest point of the Berkshire (297 metres). For much of the walk the Walbury Hill can be seen. Near the end of the walk there is a brief steep hill but the views are worth the climb!

Here is a view worth climbing for - log into Facebook first Wayfarers view

There will be a lunch stop before reaching Lower Green giving it time to go down before the steep hill. There is an option to visit the Crown & Garter pub for a drink after the walk too.

Please bring some lunch and plenty to drink.

Leader: Mike D 07938 843 660

Meeting Point: Public car park next to (just past the entrance) the Stag & Huntsman pub in Hambleden
Post Code: RG9 6RP, Lat/Long: N51.5727°, W0.8688°, OS Map: SU784865

The walks starts at 10:30am from the free public car park next to the Stag & Huntsman pub in the village of Hambleden - the original idea was to start the walk in Henley-on-Thames but this has been changed due to the Rewind festival taking place meaning parking in Henley maybe very difficult if not impossible. When parking please note that there is usually a field also open for extra vehicles.

We start our walk heading through the 'chocolate box' village of Hambleden, the scene of many films, heading south to Mill End, here we cross the river Thames using an impressive walkway at Hambleden weir before heading to the hamlet of Aston and using quiet tracks to reach the town of Henley-on-Thames.

Once amongst the bustle of Henley we will briefly walk beside the River Thames before joining the Fair Mile road and then the Oxfordshire Way Footpath. Following a brief climb we come out into the nice level Deer Park. One option, depending on timing and a majority vote will be to have our lunch break in the Deer park.

After the deer park there will be a few minor slopes and some quiet lane walking through the village of Fawley, another option for lunch will be on the quiet village green in Fawley. Next we enter farm land and woods before reaching the Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery. If there is sufficient interest amongst our group we will make a brief visit to the Cellar Shop.

After the winery and brewery we will head through woods along the western ridge of the Hambleden valley before arriving at an excellent view overlooking the village of Pheasant's Hill and the Hambleden Valley, we will then descend to the floor of the valley and head south back to the village of Hambleden.

After the walk there will be options in Hambleden to either visit the tea shop or the Stag and Huntsman pub.

Leader: Mike D 07938 843 660

Meeting Point: Coombe Hill National Trust car park, Lodge Hill, Butlers Cross, Aylesbury
Post Code: HP17 0UR, Lat/Long: N51.7484°, W0.7678°, OS Map: SP851062

Meet at Coombe Hill National Trust car park off Lodge Hill, Butlers Cross. Please arrive by 10am for a prompt 10:15am start.

This circular walk takes us deep into Chiltern dense forests, across nature reserves and onto the high Ridgeway in the Chiltern Hills, including the highest viewpoint in the Chilterns, Coombe Hill. We will take in the pretty villages of Dunsmore, Little Hampden and Great Hampden. There are four steep ascents and one steep descent. Please note it can we wet underfoot in some areas and there will be some nettles.

Weather permitting, we will hopefully be rewarded with some stunning views across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Vale of Aylesbury, including Chequers, the Prime Minister's country retreat.

Please enjoy this full day out. There is a potential of two pub stops, The Pink and Lily in the tiny hamlet of Parslow's Hillock and The Plough at Cadsden, dating back to the 1500s. Both have a good selection of real ales. There will also be a stop at the church in Ellesborough for tea and cakes, before the steepest of the ascents to the top of Coombe Hill and the distinctive Memorial. The Monument was erected in 1904 in memory of the men of Buckinghamshire who fell in the Boer War in South Africa in 1899-1902.

Please bring packed lunch and plenty to drink.

As this is slightly out of our normal area (but well worth the drive), I am happy to offer a lift from Reading Station (leave 08:50). Also Colin is happy to pick up anyone in Wokingham/Winnersh/Bracknell area if they want a lift. Just give him a call on 07738 911507.

Leader: Jane K 07881 805 156

Meeting Point: Car park behind shops at junction of Finchampstead Rd and Nine Mile Rd
Post Code: RG40 3RB, Lat/Long: N51.3763°, W0.8557°, OS Map: SU797647

Meet up for a 10:30am at the free car park behind the shops at the double mini-roundabout at the junction of B3016 Finchampstead Road and B3430 Nine Mile Road, South of Wokingham.

A variety of woodland and river scenery within the parish of Finchampstead. We traverse the National Trust slopes of The Ridges to the village cricket pitch and the Saxon Hilltop of St. James Church. The Moor Green lakes & Nature Reserve and Blackwater Valley river path offer great diversity along with the Gravel Pits.

We have an optional pub stop or welcome homemade cake and tea stop California Country Park near the end to complete our walk.

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

Meeting Point: White Hill car park, Kingsclere (between Newbury and Basingstoke)
Post Code: RG20 5PY, Lat/Long: N51.3053°, W1.2609°, OS Map: SU516565

Meet for a 10:30am start at the White Hill (free) car park on the B3051 just south of Kingsclere. Kingsclere in on the A339 between Newbury and Basingstoke. Drive south through the village on Swan Street and then follow the B3051 up White Hill. The car park is on the left at the top of the hill, and there is plenty of extra parking in a long lay-by opposite it. (Note that the postcode RG20 5PY is for the stables, which you pass on the way up to the car park.)

The walk follows the gallops over Watership Down and then heads down to Sydmonton. From there we will pass through Ecchinswell and Kingsclere, where we will pop into the pub before heading back up to White Hill. This walk is quite hilly and is likely to be muddy in places.

Please bring a packed lunch and drink as usual.

Leader: Rob C. 07786 116 988

Meeting Point: Reading / Midgham railway station

Meet either at Reading railway station platform 1 at 11:00am or Midgham railway station in Woolhampton at 11:27am.

Apparently, this is the can't-miss event of the summer! OktoberWest 2019 promises to be a cracker complete with some of the best local bands providing live music. A selection of Bavaria's finest brews alongside West Berkshire Breweries own award-winning real ales and craft beers. Great street food is also available.

Rail ticket cost £5.10, depart platform 1 at 11:10. We will arrive into Midgham at 11:27.

6-mile walk will start at Midgham station (Woolhampton) at 11:30 to the brewery. We will have a short snack and drink stop enroute and expect to arrive at the brewery around 2pm.

Taxis / minibus will be arranged for 9.30pm pick up from the brewery and return to Reading Station. Approximate cost £10.

To book your ticket, which costs £15 per person, go direct to ticket booking

The price includes a free pint of beer and stein glass with every ticket. Please note tickets are selling fast, so please book early to avoid disappointment. Don't forget to bring your wristband!

There are also transport options available to and from Newbury station for £20. Please see the website for further information.

Please let Jane know once you have booked your ticket by Sunday 1st September. Please confirm if you require transport to Reading station at 9.30pm. Jane will then book the cheapest transport available and confirm costs.

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

Organiser: Jane K 07881 805 156 or janekendrick(at)btinternet.com

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

Meeting Point: Bury Down/Ridgeway car park on Bury Lane, West Ilsley
Post Code: RG20 7AZ, Lat/Long: N51.5532°, W1.3101°, OS Map: SU479840

Meet for a 10:30am start at the Bury Down/Ridgeway car park on Bury Lane. From West Ilsley, head north on Bury Lane for a mile to the car park. (The car park doesn't have a post code. The post code above is for a farm half-way between West Ilsley and the car park on Bury Lane).

We should have beautiful open views across the downs and shaded wooded paths, partly along the Ridgeway and in horse racing country. The walk is up and down with a total ascent of 140m. No stiles.

Please bring a packed lunch and drink, as usual.

Led by the Pang Valley Ramblers

Meeting Point: Meet at the south end of Wigmore Lane (cul-de-sac), Theale.
Post Code: RG7 5HH, Lat/Long: N51.4287°, W1.0912°, OS Map: SU632703

Meet for a 10:30am start from the south end of Wigmore Lane (cul-de-sac), Theale. When you come off the roundabout on the A4, drive to the T-junction at Wigmore Lane and turn left. Further down on the left hand side there is ample parking in front of metal fencing. Please note all other verges are residents parking only.

This circular walk, to the south of Theale, provides a marked contrast in scenery, from the waterways and lakes of the Lower Kennet Water Park to the undulating farmland and meadows around Sulhamstead. Please note some paths maybe overgrown with nettles, so long trousers and long sleeves are advised.

Please bring packed lunch and drink/water. Unfortunately, there is no pub stop on this walk.

Leader: Jane K 07881 805 156

Details to follow...

Organiser: Adam W

Meeting Point: St John Ambulance Centre, Deadmans Lane, Theale
Post Code: RG7 5FB, Lat/Long: N51.4354°, W1.0864°

Meet in time for a 6:30pm start for our next 3 hour first aid course at the St John Ambulance Centre, Deadmans Lane, Theale.

These first aid courses are being subsidised by the Ramblers who pay St John Ambulance directly for the course. When you have successfully completed the course you will be awarded a certificate that is valid for 3 years. After attending the course, you will be asked to contribute £15 towards the cost of the course.

If you would like to attend the course please let David Turner know by emailing him and let him know you are in the Berkshire Weekend Walkers group.

Organiser: David Turner or turnerd2(at)btinternet.com

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

Meeting Point: Wheel Orchard car park, off Station Road, Goring
Post Code: RG8 9HB, Lat/Long: N51.5218°, W1.1371°, OS Map: SU599806

Meet up for a 10:30am start at the Wheel Orchard pay-and-display car park behind the Catherine Wheel pub in Goring. This car park is free on Sundays.

The walk starts along a very attractive section of the Thames Path. After emerging above Whitchurch, it climbs the hill, goes through three farms before entering Great Chalk Wood. The walk then enters more open countryside before returning to Goring. There are some steep hills.

Please bring a packed lunch and drink, as usual.

Led by the Pang Valley Ramblers.