The Wonder of Ancient Oak Savernake Forest, Berkshire

Distance: 24km (15 miles approx) circular route
Ascent: 265m
Duration: 6 hours walking
Grade: Moderate

Savernake Forest is a quiet, hidden wonder that holds more veteran trees than anywhere else in Europe - walking here feels like moving through deep time.

My plan is to visit this February when the forest stands bare, allowing the full presence of the trees to be seen and felt. Without leaves, their vast forms and ancient structures are revealed in a way that is really striking . I’ll return again in autumn, when the same paths are transformed by colour, offering a very different, equally powerful experience.

Savernake is the largest privately owned forest in Britain, set within the North Wessex Downs. Its damp, heavy soils are particularly well suited to oak and beech, and many of the trees have immense girths that are awe-inspiring. Some are over 1,000 years old, bearing the marks of centuries of weather, growth, and survival.

Some of trees to see are: King of Limbs (Radioheads 2011 album is named after it), Cathedral Oak, Big Belly Oak, New Queen Oak, Replacement King Oak to name but a few!

There will be an optional pub stop at the end of the walk. The toilets in the forest are closed for the winter and there are no cafes along our way, so come prepared with enough food and water for the day.

COST AND LOGISTICS
Cost: £10
Group size: 20
Start: 8.40am London Paddington for Group Save
Meet: 8:50 for those who buy their own tickets

MORNING train from London
Dep: 09:05 London Paddington
Arr: 10.30 Great Bedwyn

RETURN:
Finish: 5.30pm at the pub
Return train: 17:41. Next train is an hour later
Arr: 18.57 in London Paddington.

Recommended train ticket
Off-Peak Day Return to Great Bedywn

• £29 group save/ network rail price
  Recommended: yearly Network Railcard for reduced train prices
  www.network-railcard.co.uk

Meeting Point:
In front of Heathrow Express Ticket Office

REVIEWS
Trip Advisor | Facebook | MeetUp
PRICE INCLUDES
· Guided hike planned and led by an experienced AAA leader, trained in Outdoor First Aid.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
· Travel costs
· Lunch, drinks or any refreshments
· PayPal fees

RECOMMENDED KIT LIST (complete list)
· Suitable hiking shoes or boots
· Packed lunch and snacks
· Water - 2 litres recommended
· Waterproof jacket and trousers (Please no jeans!)
· Warm windproof layer e.g. Down/Primaloft/Fleece
· Wicking base layer e.g. Polyester/Tencel/Merino

CANCELLING/REFUNDS
If you can no longer join the hike, please message the Host listed on here, and update your RSVP status to 'Not going', to allow others to take your place. If the hike is full, and you have messaged us and have changed your RSVP to 'Not going', we will refund you, less than the PayPal/Meetup fees. To obtain this, please email info@aaalondongroup.com after the event, with the email address you use on your PayPal account and transaction reference. If the hike is not full, unfortunately we will not be able to provide any refund.

QUESTIONS
If you have any other questions, please check visit our FAQ page. If you are still unsure, contact the event Host shown on this page.
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