What we’re about
The Berkshire Walkers are a walking and social group aimed at people in their 20s and 30s and is part of The Ramblers.
We are based in Berkshire, mainly around Reading, Newbury and Slough, and provide walks at a variety of lengths on weekends and summer evenings. We also have regular socials such as pub meets, meals out, ten-pin bowling and trips to museums and places of interest. All are welcome to join the Berkshire Walkers for a walk, whether you are already a keen walker, or just starting down the path.
Your first three walks are FREE for new members. We are part of the Ramblers and we are always keen to meet new members. You can join here.
Annual membership is exceptionally reasonable (just over £3pm on Direct Debit). Membership also gives you access to our social events that aren't advertised on Meetup and socials happen at least two-three times a month. With membership, you can also join any of the other 500 Ramblers groups, including other Berkshire groups and those nearby in Surrey, Sussex, Oxfordshire, and Hampshire.
Joining The Ramblers in general brings all the benefits of being part of the UK's largest walking organisation, with discounts available in many walking shops (e.g. 15% at Cotswold Outdoor). You will also receive a magazine 4 times a year, about walking in the UK and things that affect your rights to walk through our amazing and varied countryside. Your membership fees also contribute to The Ramblers' efforts to promote walking as a healthy pastime, to campaign for access and to fight for maintained access to our rights of way. What's not to like?
Not all our members are on Meetup, so there will be more people on walks than are shown on Meetup. For a general idea, we typically get 10–20 people on our walks. Please note that our social events are not usually listed on Meetup: our socials are for our walkers only (including those new to the group with an interest in joining), and can be found on our website.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Culham to Radley (via Abingdon), 11.3 miles, moderateCulham railway station, Culham
Today’s walk starts in Culham, where we’ll head towards the River Thames to following the Thames Path as it winds northward through lush, open countryside. From Culham station, we’ll walk towards Clifton Hampden, where we’ll join the Thames Path, of which it offers stunning views of the area as well as being framed by sprawling fields and pockets of woodland. With the gentle flow of the Thames, this’ll lead us into the quaint and historic town of Abingdon, which is one of England's oldest towns. Abingdon’s riverside is bustling with life, particularly near Abingdon Bridge, where rowers and narrowboats drift by, with its market square being lined with charming old buildings, including the County Hall Museum. This offers a taste of Abingdon's rich and long history and is a great spot for a scenic rest, which is where we’ll be stopping for lunch.
After lunch, we’ll leave Abingdon and rejoin the Thames Path on the western side of the river to takes us through more serene countryside, passing open fields and the occasional pasture dotted with grazing sheep. Continue north along the path, where the river meanders through lush meadows. As we approach Radley, the landscape grows more wooded, with the occasional willow leaning over the water, where we'll feel the peacefulness of the area as the path brings us closer to our finishing point at Radley station. For those who want a pint at the at the end of the walk, we’ll be stopping off at the Bowyer Arms, which is right next door to the station.
Ascent: 14m.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
TRAINS:
The recommended train to get is the 09:48 GWR service arriving at Didcot Parkway at 10:02. This then gives you enough time to get the 10:07 GWR service arriving in Culham at 10:12.
DRIVING:
Culham station has limited parking space, where parking fees apply.
Please contact the leader directly if you are delayed on the day or can't find the group (find contact details on our website). We are unlikely to respond to Meetup comments or messages sent on the day in enough time to be helpful.
- An evening circular in Reading, 4 miles, leisurelyReading Train Station, Reading
Today’s evening circular walk takes us around Reading’s waterways as well as some of the central parks. Starting at Reading station, we’ll head towards Forbury Gardens and Reading Abbey before following the River Kennet and Kennet & Avon Canal to the River Thames. Here, we’ll turn left to walk through King's Meadow before crossing over Reading Bridge to walk through Christchurch Meadows and continuing along the Thames towards Caversham Bridge. At this point, we'll cross over it before heading back along the Thames towards our finishing point at Reading station. For those who want to have a pint at this point, we’ll be stopping off at The Three Guineas.
Ascent: 3m.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
DRIVING:
If you plan to drive, the recommended place to park is the car park on the north side of Reading station, where parking fees apply. Please note, that the walk starts next to The Three Guineas, so please make your way to that side of the station with enough time.
DOGS:
Dogs are welcome on this walk as long as they're well behaved.
Please contact the leader directly if you are delayed on the day or can't find the group (find contact details on our website). We are unlikely to respond to Meetup comments or messages sent on the day in enough time to be helpful.
- Newbury circular, 6 or 10 miles, moderate (BOOKING REQUIRED)Newbury station, Newbury
The walk starts from the town side (north) of Newbury station. We’ll walk through Victoria park, pass the Vodafone HQ and through the Donnington Valley golf club. At Snelsmore Common we will head back towards Newbury and stop for lunch at Donnington Castle on the way. The pub stop will be at the Hatchet. At this point you can leave the walk or continue on the second half. This will consist of walking along the Kennet and Avon Canal, which we cross at Enborne Bridge and return to Newbury along part of the Lamborn Valley Way.
There will be an optional pub social at the end.
Ascent: 138m.
This walk will be led by Emerson C.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
If travelling by train get the 09:33 from Reading, which arrives 09:54.
Parking is available at the station or the nearby Kennet Centre.
Please bring a packed lunch.
This walk is limited to 20 people. Booking via Meetup.
Please contact the leader directly if you are delayed on the day or can't find the group (find contact details on the Ramblers website). We are unlikely to respond to Meetup comments or messages sent on the day in enough time to be helpful.
- Walking in the footsteps of Jane Austen: Overton & Steventon, 9 miles, leisurelyOverton Railway Station, Overton
"Her pleasure in the walk must arise from the exercise and the day" - Jane Austen, Persuasion.
2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, one of the world’s most beloved authors. To celebrate, the Berkshire Walkers will be having a series of walks across the year visiting sites connected with Austen.
This easy 9-mile walk from Overton will wander through Ashe, Dean and Steventon, admiring the countryside where Jane Austen spent the first 25 years of her life.
Pace: gentle. Ascent: 144m.
This walk will be led by Shannon.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Walk details
Note: you don't need to be a Jane Austen fan to enjoy this walk!
We'll enjoy the quiet countryside, heading east from Overton station through the pretty hamlets of Ashe and Deane until we reach Steventon, where we will stop for lunch. After lunch, we'll head north west through the fields to Overton, where there are several pubs should we wish to stop for a drink. It's then about half a mile back up from the village to the train station.
For those of you who are Jane Austen fans:
- Ashe is where Tom Lefroy, nephew to the tennants of Ashe Parsonage, stole Jane's heart in 1795.
- Jane's father and brother were both curate in Dean at various times, and Jane also visited Deane House frequently.
- After Dean we'll pass Cheesedown Farm, where Jane's father farmed the land, and Ashe Park Copse, where Jane joked to her sister about being murdered.
- Jane Austen was born in the rectory (now demolished) in Steventon in 1775, and lived there until she was 25. Elm Tree Cottages are only houses left that were there in Jane's time.
- Have a look at the Overton Jane Austen trails if you want to know more!
We'd like to thank Overton Jane Austen trails for the information and inspiration for this walk, which is based on the walks on their website. https://overtonparishcouncil.gov.uk/overton-jane-austen-trails/
Travel by public transport
If travelling from Reading, catch they 10:12 train which arrives into Overton at 10:42. Please note, if this train is delayed, the start of the walk will be too.
Travel by car
There is a small car park at Overton Station.
Advice
Please bring a packed lunch.
If it’s sunny, please bring sun cream, a hat, and plenty of water.
Dogs
Dogs allowed provided they are kept on a lead at all times.
Please contact the leader directly if you are delayed on the day or can't find the group (find contact details on the Ramblers website). We are unlikely to respond to Meetup comments or messages sent on the day in enough time to be helpful.
