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Our Programme of Walks and Events

Our programme of walks and social events is regularly updated. New items are often added, but occasionally existing items have to be changed, so please check before travelling.

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 to see where we've been so far.

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

January 2025

Note: The details of the walks/events that have already taken place are hidden. Click on the heading of an event to show and hide its details.

Saturday 4th January: 6 Mile Walk (easy)
Winchfield, Dogmersfield and the Basingstoke Canal

Meeting Point: Barley Mow Slipway car park, Winchfield
Post Code: RG27 8DE (Click it to see it on Bing Maps and use their route planner.)
Lat/Long: N51.2781°, W0.8862° (Click to see it on Google Maps and use their route planner.)
OS Map: SU777538 (Click it to see it on an Ordnance Survey map on Streetmap.co.uk)

Well, third time lucky, we hope. Having cancelled this walk twice already, here it is for the third and final time. During the walk, there will be a short break for mulled wine, mince pies and stollen bites for those who still have an appetite for such Christmassy things.

Meet for a 10am start at the free car park by the Barley Mow bridge and slipway. If approaching from the direction of Winchfield station on The Hurst, turn right at the junction by the Barley Mow pub into Spratt's Hatch Lane then immediately left into the car park. Similarly, if coming from the direction of Dogmersfield on Chatter Alley, turn left into Spratt's Hatch Lane, opposite the Barley Mow pub.

This walk follows the Basingstoke Canal to Broad Oak, with a few detours into nearby fields and woodland along the way. We will return through Dogmersfield Park, where we will stop for lunch, and then another section of canal towpath. As this is a short walk, and as we are starting earlier than usual, the lunch-stop will be towards the end of the walk.

Please bring a packed lunch and drink, as usual. Be prepared for some muddy paths!

Leaders: Emma and Rob 07786 116988

Sunday 12th January: 8½ Mile Walk (easy/leisurely)
Blackwaterside: Minley Woods via Hawley Common

Meeting Point: Blackwater Station car park, Station Approach, Blackwater
Post Code: GU17 9AB (Click it to see it on Bing Maps and use their route planner.)
Lat/Long: N51.3316°, W0.7763° (Click to see it on Google Maps and use their route planner.)
OS Map: SU853598 (Click it to see it on an Ordnance Survey map on Streetmap.co.uk)

What3Words: ///wizards.forgives.nickname (Click to see location on What3Words.com)

Meet for a 10:45 start by Platform 1 of Blackwater railway station (the car park side). The car park is accessible from The Meadows roundabout on the edge of Camberley. (Parking cost £1 for the day on Sundays.) By train from Reading, take the 10:20 service, which stops at Blackwater at 10:36. (Trains back to Reading leave every half-hour.)

This is a leisurely circular walk to Minley Woods, including heathland and woodland with a few gentle inclines and declines. From the station car park we walk over to Hawley Common, which is a short distance away and we will pick up the route via Hornley Common and make our way into Minley Woods. Minley Woods is home to Minley Manor, a Grade II listed country manor house which nowadays is used as a wedding venue. We will stop for lunch in Minley Woods (probably at the place I used to escape too in lockdown.) We shall stop at the Crown and Cushion pub for a quick drink, before crossing back into Hawley Common and pass around Hawley Lake before heading back to the station. It's likely to be muddy in places, therefore please wear appropriate footwear. Please bring a packed lunch and drink, as usual.

Things to note: Hawley Common and Hawley Lake are part of the Minley MoD Training Area. This walk follows the public rights of way which are always open to the public, but occasionally you may hear gun fire or see soldiers training in the area.

Please bring a packed lunch and drink, as usual.

Leader: Jen H. 07979 508 927

Sunday 19th January: 9 Mile Walk (easy)
Earley and Dinton Pastures

Meeting Point: Earley Railway Station, Station Road, Earley, Reading
Post Code: RG6 7DY (Click it to see it on Bing Maps and use their route planner.)
Lat/Long: N51.4409°, W0.9181° (Click to see it on Google Maps and use their route planner.)
OS Map: SU752718 (Click it to see it on an Ordnance Survey map on Streetmap.co.uk)

What3Words: ///mini.again.sweep (Click to see location on What3Words.com)

Meet at Earley station in time for a 10:30 start. At the time of writing, the 10:24 service from Reading is scheduled to arrive at 10:29. Paid parking is available at the station (£6) or alternatively there is plenty of free on-street parking nearby (mostly south of the A329). Please park considerately, and check signage for details of restrictions on single yellow lines.

After a short stretch on mostly quiet, suburban roads, we will walk around Maiden Erlegh Nature Reserve, then along alleyways and across green open spaces to pick up the River Loddon. We'll stop for lunch at Dinton Pastures Country Park, and then call in at The Coffee Deck for a drink and/or cake while we enjoy the view across the lake. Our return route leaves the park via the opposite bank of the Loddon and skirts around South Lake Park.

Please bring a packed lunch and drink, as usual.

Leader: Chris F. 07984 255 322

February 2025

Saturday 1st February: 11½ Mile Walk (strenuous)
Handy Cross to Mill End - Linear

Meeting Point: Mill End Carpark, Hambledon (where the walk ends)
Post Code: RG9 6TL (Click it to see it on Bing Maps and use their route planner.)
Lat/Long: N51.5628°, W0.8685° (Click to see it on Google Maps and use their route planner.)
OS Map: SU785854 (Click it to see it on an Ordnance Survey map on Streetmap.co.uk)

This is a 11.5 mile linear walk, starting at 10:16 from the Blacksmiths Arms Harvester Inn at Handy Cross, Marlow Bottom, HP10 9QD. The walk ends at Mill End car park, Hambledon. Please note: the route involves a bus ride to get to the start point.

Travel and Parking
By Car We suggest parking at Mill End in Hambledon and taking the no 850 bus at 09:48 am to the start point at Handy Cross, near High Wycombe. Parking at Mill End costs £5 for 24 hours. Pay at machine or using Just Park app, location ID 1047. Mill End car park has toilet facilities. The Hambledon bus stop is an 8 minute walk from the Mill End car park at the junction with the Marlow-Henley Road (A4155).
Please arrive at the car park with enough time to change into your boots and to walk down to the bus stop in time for the 09:48 bus. (The bus won't wait for latecomers!)

Alternatively, there is a free car park at the Blacksmith's Arms at Handy Cross. The Inn also serves breakfast from 09:00 am. You will need to take the bus back from Hambledon to your car at the end of the walk if you park here. The 850 buses run every 30 mins and cost £3 per journey

Public Transport The 850 bus leaves Reading Friar St at 08:50, passing through Twyford (Waitrose) at 09:16 on the way to Handy Cross, via Hambledon. 850 - High Wycombe to Central Reading - Carousel Buses

The Walk
Our walk from Handy Cross back to Hambledon takes us over farmland, and through woods, on footpaths and lanes, and possibly through some mud. We'll pass close to Wycombe Air Park, Blueys Farm and Marlow Common, with hopefully good views, particularly as we descend towards Bovingdon Green.

Please be aware, we may hear clay pigeon / pheasant shooting nearby on one section in the morning. The walk has 1383 ft of ascent, with most of the hills in the afternoon, and we plan to stop for hot drinks and cake at the Village Shop in Hambledon towards the end of the walk.

Please bring a picnic lunch, snacks and something to drink. The walk is graded 'strenuous' as there are more steep hills than usual. We recommend wearing walking boots, and bringing trekking poles along if you normally use them. No dogs on this walk please.

Leader: Ruth H. 07712 005 315

Sunday 9th February: 8 Mile Walk (easy)
Windsor Great Park

Meeting Point: Meet on Ridgemead Road, for roadside parking.
Post Code: TW20 0YG (Click it to see it on Bing Maps and use their route planner.)
Lat/Long: N51.2848°, W0.9541° (Click to see it on Google Maps and use their route planner.)
OS Map: SU986723 (Click it to see it on an Ordnance Survey map on Streetmap.co.uk)

What3Words: ///boss.intent.blend (Click to see location on What3Words.)

Meet for a 10am start on Ridgemead Road. There is ample roadside parking along this road.

This is a circular easy walk through the Sprawling parkland of Windsor Great Park, mostly on good footpaths and some woodland tracks, which include Virginia Water.

Given that the lunch stop is near the end of the walk we will take a 10 minute break for a snack and drink earlier in the walk.

The lunch stop will be at Saville Gardens where we can eat a packed lunch at tables outside. Alternatively food can be bought at the cafe, there are also toilets available.

Leaders: Kathy 07794 406438 and Ann 07800728667

Tuesday Evening 11th February:
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour (2025 Red Programme)
- joint social event with the Berkshire Walkers

Meeting Point: The Hexagon, Queens Walk, Reading
Post Code: RG1 7UA (Click it to see it on Bing Maps and use their route planner.)
Lat/Long: N51.4539°, W0.9773° (Click to see it on Google Maps and use their route planner.)

An evening of adventure films to inspire the more adventurous among us, and enthral and entertain the rest – the Banff Mountain Film Festival brings another collection to us this year. Ranging from 3 to 36 minutes in length, they cover all kinds of activities including skiing, rock climbing, kayaking and mountain biking – expect some astounding and inspiring stories of the challenges faced in these adventures, as well as some fantastic scenery and cinematography. A regular event on the BW social calendar for some time, like the last couple of years we're running it as a joint social between the Berkshire Walkers and Berkshire Weekend Walkers!

Please let the organiser know by email by Sunday 12th January if you'd like to come, so that we can book tickets together. Payment will also be required at this point via the BW account – details will be provided when you sign up. (There may well be tickets available nearer the time to book yourself, but you might not be able to sit near the rest of the group, and you'll miss out on the group discount.)

The second (blue) programme also comes to Reading in October September, so we may organise another social for this nearer the time if there's interest.

Organiser: Zak 07810 896 288 or zak(at)berkshirewalkers.co.uk

(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.


Booking of Social Events

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 knowledge or 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.