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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- BWs walk the South Downs Way, Part 4, 12 miles, challenging (BOOKING REQUIRED)The Blue Bell, Midhurst
This is part of a series of linear walks that the Berkshire Walkers are doing in 2024 to complete the South Downs Way, This section covers Day 4 from Cocking to Amberley.
This walk will be led by Robyn.
Advance booking is required for this walk, which is limited to 26 people. This is now handled by marking yourself as attending here on Meetup. Please do not turn up without booking your space by doing so, only sign up if you intend to come, and cancel in good time if you can no longer attend so that someone else can take your place.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Pace: medium. Ascent: 330m.
Walk details
This leg of the South Downs Way National Trail runs from Cocking to Amberley. This stretch of the Way takes you north of Goodwood and Chichester and along to Bignor Hill. Bignor Hill is yet another spot along the South Downs Way National Trail that offers great views, this time of the Arun Valley. As we continue on the Way, we will see Amberley – the final destination of the day. This walk sets the pattern of several to follow, beginning with a climb up onto the South Downs ridge from the starting point, a dip in the middle to a dry valley and a further ascent, finishing with a downhill walk to the finish.
We will pass through the Slindon estate, which is a woodland estate cared for by the National Trust. We will then walk along the River Arun and into Amberley, which has a tea room, pub and train station.
Travel details
By public transport
Outbound journey: You may be joining this walk from Day 3 on Saturday 31st August the day before, so you may have organsied accommodation locally. This is what the Walk Leader will be doing. There are a number of B&Bs and campsites nearby.
If you are joining for the day, public transport is limited to get to the start of the walk. Cocking does not have a bus running Sundays and has no train station. You may like to get a train to Petersfield and get/share a taxi to Cocking.
Return jounrey: The walk finishes at Amberley Train Station which has an hourly train back to Reading via Gatwick. Take the 17:58 train and change at Gatwick airport (18.42), then take the 18:52 train to Reading (arriv. 20:22) There are also trains at 16:58 and 18:58.
By car
Park in Cocking Car Park at the start of the walk (and take a taxi back to your car at the end) or part at Amberley Station and get a taxi to the start point.
Notes
- Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
- It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
- 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 of the walk in enough time to be helpful.
- Pewsey Palooza Pandemonium: Jason’s 100th Walk Extravaganza, 12miles,challengingPewsey Rail Sation, SN9 5ER
Join us for this momentous occasion as we celebrate Jason’s 100th walk led for the Berkshire Walkers! We will embark on a picturesque 12-mile journey starting from Pewsey Station, traversing the stunning landscapes of the Vale of Pewsey via Oare Hill and Martinsell Hill. Our path will follow a segment of the renowned White Horse Trail, offering breathtaking views (incredible on a clear day) and the rich history of this iconic region.
This walk will be led by Jason.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Pace: medium.
Walk details
Our adventure kicks off on this memorable 12-mile journey from Pewsey Station, venturing through some of the most picturesque landscapes the Vale of Pewsey has to offer. Our route begins with a stroll along a section of the Kennet and Avon Canal – joining at Pewsey Wharf, where serene waters and charming canal boats set the scene.
Leaving the canal, we start our ascent up to Draycott Hill, where we'll take a well-deserved lunch break and catch our breath. After lunch, we head into the enchanting Gopher Wood, a hidden gem with lush greenery and peaceful woodland trails. Keep an eye out for woodland creatures (or other Ramblers) as we meander through this magical forest. From here, we join a section of the White Horse Trail, a renowned path that winds through the heart of this historic region.
Our ascent continues to Oare Hill and Martinsell Hill, where we'll be rewarded with incredible panoramic views that stretch across the Vale of Pewsey and beyond. Get your cameras ready because the views from here are simply breathtaking! This is the perfect spot to take a break, snap some photos, and soak in the incredible panorama.
The return leg of our walk is downhill and takes us through the quaint hamlet of Knowle, offering a glimpse into the charming rural life of the area. As we loop back to Pewsey Station, you’ll be filled with a sense of accomplishment and the joy of having shared this special milestone with fellow walkers.
Don’t miss out on this fun-filled 100th walk celebration, where every step is an adventure and every view is a reward! Fingers crossed for a clear and sunny day in September!
Please arrive on time as we won’t be able to wait for any latecomers due to the train schedule. We aim to be back at Pewsey Station for the 15:07 train; otherwise, the next train is at 17:05.
We might frequent the local pub in Pewsey – The Crown Inn – which is just a short walk from the station, especially if we miss the 15:07 train (unless you deliberately miss that train for some extra pub time!).
Travel details
By public transport
If you are coming via train you can catch the 09.02am from Reading (09:18am from Newbury) to Pewsey arriving at 09.38am.
Pewsey lies outside of the Network Railcard area. For those without another type of Railcard (e.g. 18-25 or 26-30), the cheapest way of getting there is with a split ticket, splitting your journey at Hungerford. You can then use your Network Railcard on the part of the journey to Hungerford. This will save approx £5.00 on the ticket cost. Alternatively use GroupSave if you are travelling with other walkers.
By car
Parking is available at Pewsey Station – charges do apply. Street parking may be available in the local streets.
Notes
- Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
- It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
- 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 of the walk in enough time to be helpful.
- Henley-on-Thames to Bourne End (River Thames walk), 13.7 miles, moderateHenley-on-Thames, Henley-on-Thames
This walk will take along along the northern bank of the River Thames on the Berks/Bucks border between Henley-on-Thames and Bourne End.
This walk will be led by Michael.
NOTE: This walk has been rescheduled from 6th July, as the Henley Regatta would have made the area extremely busy on that date.
Please see our website for more information about the group.
Pace: medium. Ascent: 73m.
Walk details
This riverside walk will be taking us into Bourne End, which is a quaint village located on the Buckinghamshire side of the River Thames. Its original location differed from that of the village centre we see today, which was located just half a mile downstream on the Thames. The name refers to the end of the river, with bourne being a Medieval term for river, and it derives from the mouth of the River Wye. It appears as early as 1722 on Morden’s map of Buckinghamshire that year as “Born end”, which was noted in the 19th century. However, by then, the name had been corrupted to “Bone End”, apparently through local mispronunciation and thence on official maps and documents. In 1858, the vicar of Wooburn succeeded in reversing the change, and this corrected name remains in use today.
Today’s walk will start in Henley-on-Thames and follow the River Thames to Bourne End via Marlow. From Henley-on-Thames station, we’ll head to Station Road, which we turn right onto to take us to the Thames before crossing over it at the A4130 White Hill to take us out of Henley. We’ll then follow the Thames on the other side, which we then follow to Hambleden Lock, where we cross back over towards the A4155 to turn right onto. Shortley after this, we’ll follow Ferry Lane back to the Thames before walking around a Sewage works, Harleyford Golf Club and a marina, where we’ll be stopping for a mid-walk pint and lunch. After this, we’ll head into Marlow via Pergola Field, and then we’ll continue walking along the Thames parallel to the railway to take us into Bourne End, where we’ll finish our walk. For those who want to have another pint at the end of the walk, we’ll be stopping off at The Walnut tree pub, which is roughly 5 minutes from the station.
Travel details
By public transport
From Reading, you’d need to get the 09:29 Elizabeth line service, which arrives in Twyford at 09:34. This then gives you enough time to change for the 09:45 GWR service, which arrives in Henley at 09:57.
If you’re travelling from Newbury, then you’d need to get the 08:48 GWR service, which arrives in Reading at 09:03. If you're travelling from the Wokingham and Bracknell direction, then you’d get the 08:58 SWR service from Wokingham (08:51 from Bracknell) that arrives in Reading at 09:12. Both of these trains will give you plenty of time to change at Reading in time for the given train above.
By car
There’s a fair amount of parking at Henley station, which you’d have to pay for. However, as this is a linear walk, you’d then have to make your way back by train via Maidenhead and Twyford. For this reason, it may be easier to coordinate lifts so that if you're driving, you can get travel back to Henley from Bourne End by car.
Notes
- Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
- It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
- 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 of the walk in enough time to be helpful.