What we’re about
Welcome to the Berkshire Walkers (BWs). The BW group is a part of the Ramblers, a national charity dedicated to removing barriers so everyone can enjoy walking in green spaces, and to improving Britain’s most popular and least-known walking places. The Ramblers are committed to campaigning to keep our countryside open to all and to fighting for the things that matter most to walkers. The Ramblers lead the way, and the walks, for a vibrant community united by the joys of walking, helping everyone get more out of their walks.
All participants of all group events are required to adhere to our Group Charter and Ramblers Values - https://www.berkshirewalkers.co.uk/conduct-and-safeguarding/
You can enjoy 3 taster walks with the Berkshire Walkers for FREE, after which you are required to become a member. Annual membership is exceptionally reasonable (just over £3.50pm on Direct Debit).
With membership, you can also join any of the other 500 Rambler groups, including other Berkshire groups and those nearby in Surrey, Sussex, Oxford, and Hampshire. What's not to like! Find out how to join here: https://www.berkshirewalkers.co.uk/join-group/
Groups are run entirely by local volunteers. Local group activities can include inspecting and maintaining paths, organising group walks or running local campaigns. Each group is run by an elected committee giving members ownership of what we do locally. We have over 100,000 members.
Please note: we list a full event programme on our website of walks, socials and trips: https://www.berkshirewalkers.co.uk/
Featured event
BW Christmas Dinner and awards 2025
The Berkshire Walkers Christmas Dinner and Walking Awards (the Walkies!) return for 2025, where we’ll be dining at The Newbury (Located in Newbury). 2 courses will cost £39.15 and 3 courses £45.75, including the service charge. See the menu below.
Please note, that the venue is slightly smaller than in previous years, so we are limited to 25 places. Sign up will be on a first-come first-served basis. If you’d like to attend, please complete the sign-up form and pay by the end of Sunday 30th November. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll need to make payment into the BW bank account to confirm your place.
The Walkies celebrate the walking, trip and social highlights of the year, and we give prizes to the winning members and volunteers, as chosen by you. Look out for the voting form we’ll be sharing very soon! Prizes for the awards are funded by donations, so we'd be very grateful to anyone wishing to help out and donate. For guidance, last year donations were between £3 and £5.
Also is tradition, we’ll be doing our Secret Santa during the meal. Please indicate in the sign-up form if you’d like to participate. Those who want to take part will be contacted via email with the person they’ll need to buy a gift for after sign up has been closed. The recommended amount to spend for this is £5.
Finally, Christmas jumpers are optional, but is encouraged!
⭐ Festive Fayre Menu ⭐
Starters:
· Chilli Garlic Prawns.
o Served with sourdough.
· Beetroot & Goat’s Cheese Terrine (v, gf).
o Served on a bed of rocket.
· French Onion Soup (v).
o With a Gruyère crouton.
· Baked Camembert (v).
o With honey and walnuts.
Mains:
· Sensational Christmas Turkey (gf).
o With all the trimmings.
· Portobello Mushrooms (ve).
o Stuffed with spinach and topped with vegan feta crumb, served on a bed of peppery rocket.
· Pork Belly Rolls with Maple Glaze.
o Served with creamy mash potatoes, sautéed winter greens, and a balsamic jus.
· Salmon en Croute.
o Served with a fresh Hollandaise sauce and sautéed winter greens.
Desserts:
· Traditional Boozy Christmas Pudding (v).
o Served with a brandy sauce or cream.
· Pistachio Baklava Cheese Cake (v).
· Bailey’s Crème Brûlée (v).
o Served with a shortbread biscuit.
· Chocolate and Orange Mousse (v).
o Served with a chocolate treat.
· Eton Christmas Mess (v).
o With berries and cream.
TERMS & CONDITIONS: The Berkshire Walkers account is used only to streamline payments to suppliers. In the event of a supplier failure, Ramblers and Berkshire Walkers are not liable for reimbursement. We are not able to offer refunds. By signing up for this event, you are accepting these Terms and Conditions.
Upcoming events
11
•OnlineVote in the Annual BW Walking Awards!
OnlineIt's that time of year again where we like to recognise the valuable contributions made by our members who keep the group active and alive. Please join us in thanking those volunteers you have appreciated most by voting, and we'll award special BW prizes to the winners of the awards.
VOTING FORM: https://forms.gle/JwANxzKSZc74vmbM8
DEADLINE FOR VOTING: Sunday 7th December 2025, 11:59pm.3 attendees
ELIZABETH LINE WALK SERIES: Abbey Wood to Woolwich, 9.4 miles, moderate
Abbey Wood station, Wilton Rd, Abbey Wood, London SE2 9RH, GBToday’s walk is the final part of the Elizabeth line series and takes us from Abbey Wood to Woolwich via Lesnes Abbey Woods and Crossness Pumping Station. Starting at Abbey Wood station, we’ll head towards the ruins of Lesnes Abbey before following the Green Chain Walk towards Frank's Park. After this, we’ll pass St John the Baptist church to head towards the River Thames, where we’ll turn left onto it to follow it past Crossness pumping station and Thamesmead. After a few miles, we’ll pass Broadwater on our final approach to Woolwich, where we’ll finish the walk and conclude the Elizabeth line series.
As this walk’s mostly on paved paths and pavements with some unsurfaced footpaths around Lesnes Abbey Woods and Franks Park, it’s strongly recommended that you wear comfortable footwear to fully enjoy this walk. For those who want a pint at the end of the walk, we’ll be stopping at Dial Arch, which is a opposite the station. After the walk to walk leader/Social Secretary plans to visit some of London's Christmas Markets if you'd like to join them.
Ascent: 71m.
This walk will be led by Michael v..
Please see our website for more information about the group.
TRAINS:
The recommended train to get from Reading is the 09:12 GWR service that arrives at Paddington at 09:36. This then gives enough time to get the 09:56 Elizabeth line service, which arrives in Abbey Wood at 10:26.
DRIVING:
Due to the cost of parking in London and ULEZ, it’s recommended that you don’t drive to Abbey Wood. Alternatively, you can park at Reading station and take the train from there, where parking fees apply.
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.2 attendees
Winchester City Walk, 5 miles, easy
Winchester Train Station, Station Hill, Winchester, Hampshire, GBA festive 5 mile walk through Winchester’s historic streets, riverside paths, and hilltop views, ending at the Cathedral to enjoy the Christmas Market.
This walk will be led by Alexandra H..
Please see our website for more information about the group.
After last year’s cancellation due to the weather, we’ll try once more to make it to the Winchester Christmas Market. Our walk begins at Winchester Station, from where we head towards St Bartholomew’s churchyard and the peaceful Hyde Abbey Garden, which recalls the great abbey church and marks the resting place of Alfred the Great. From there, we meander through the charming streets of Winchester, pausing to enjoy its historic landmarks, before crossing the grounds of the magnificent Cathedral and our final destination for the market later in the day.
The route then takes us alongside the gentle flow of the River Itchen, before climbing to the St Giles Hill viewpoint, where a panoramic vista of the city awaits. After taking in the view, we descend back through the Abbey Gardens, returning to the Cathedral just in time to soak up the festive atmosphere of the Christmas Market.
Travel:
Public Transport: From Reading take the 12.06 train arriving to Winchester at 13.04.
Driving: parking is available in central Winchester. The closest to the walk start are at the station itself, Gladstone Street, and Tower Street. Please also consider using the Park and Ride buses.
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.29 attendees
Past events
686
